Mobile Carnival Museum – Mobile, Alabama - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Mobile Carnival Museum

Mobile, Alabama

In 1703, French settlers in what is now Mobile celebrated the first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. 

View all photos
Trains weighing up to 70 lbs. ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
Trains weighing up to 70 lbs. ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
1992 King's train ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
Marti Gras costumes ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
Most look forward to seeing the Comic Cowboys satirical float ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
Place settings fit for rolalty for Marti Gras supper ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
Thousands of dollars worth of trains ski queen (Atlas Obscura User)
20
85
Top Places in Mobile
Mobile Medical Museum
Mobile, Alabama
Stan Galle Field
Mobile, Alabama
Nott Family Plott
Mobile, Alabama
 See All
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Mobile Carnival Museum with additional information or photos.

Though most people associate American celebrations of Mardi Gras with New Orleans, the pre-Lenten festival was actually first observed in the New World by French settlers at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, which eventually grew into the city of Mobile, Alabama. This museum, which opened in 2005, tells the story of how the Mardi Gras evolved from that first celebration in 1703 into the modern tradition.

The museum is filled with displays, photographs, posters, and more, but one of its biggest draws is the Carnival costumes. Elaborate gowns, trains, and jewels are on display in the Queen’s Gallery. One does not need to be a seamstress to realize the time, work, and creativity put into creating these one-of-a-kind works of art.

Know Before You Go

The museum is housed in the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion on Government Street in downtown Mobile.

costumes mardi gras local history museums and collections
Nearby
Nott Family Plott
1.57 miles
Mobile Medical Museum
1.95 miles
Stan Galle Field
5.51 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Mobile, Alabama

Nott Family Plott

A faithful dog is forever watching over the family children.
Mobile, Alabama

Mobile Medical Museum

Medical museum featuring a number of excellent medical models.
View from center field
Mobile, Alabama

Stan Galle Field

Believed to be the oldest active college baseball field in America.
Also known as the Henry Stuart House or Hermit House, it's on the National Register of Historic Places
Fairhope, Alabama

Tolstoy Park, the Unusual Home of Henry Stuart

This small hut in the middle of a parking lot was once the wooded sanctuary of the 'Hermit of Montrose.'
Related Places
Burbank, California

Gordon R. Howard Museum

Home to a massive collection curated by the Burbank Historical Society, this museum examines every aspect of life in the city known for aviation and the film industry.
Boulder City, Nevada

Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum

A professional special effects makeup artist’s collection of horror creatures and one-of-a-kind recreations on display in downtown Boulder City.
Garderobe Manneken Pis
Brussels, Belgium

Garderobe Manneken Pis

Belgium’s famous peeing statue has worn many hats (and coats, and pants), which are on display at this small museum.
Spring Street Museum
Shreveport, Louisiana

Spring Street Museum

Learn about the history of Shreveport in one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web