Hermann Grima House: Urban Enslavement Tour Experience
4.8
107 Ratings
New Orleans
Experience the Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann Grima House, a restored French Quarter home that explores the lives of enslaved individuals in an urban setting. Discover the rich history and contributions of people of African descent in shaping New Orleans.
Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hermann-Grima House - This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.
What's Included
  • Professional guide included
Additional Information

This refurbished dwelling in the French Quarter, constructed in 1831, features a Federalist architectural front, an original functional open-hearth kitchen, city slave quarters, and a large courtyard. The Hermann-Grima House’s Urban Enslavement Tour examines the lives of those who were enslaved in a city environment, compares their experiences to those enslaved in rural areas, and highlights the impact of the African diaspora on the shaping of New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler named it amongst the top tours in New Orleans and the only museum tour on the list. We hold the belief that a home unravels a story like nothing else. Moreover, the historical 19th-century coach house is host to The Exchange Shop, a venerable women-led non-profit initially formed in 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and amongst the oldest of its kind in the South.

Location
Hermann-Grima House
820 Saint Louis St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(107 Ratings)
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Mary_e
Jun 13, 2024
Excellent tour - What an excellent learning experience! Our guide, Robert, was well informed and shred lots of information as we toured the house and addition.
Review provided by Viator
Dana_c
Jun 11, 2024
Good tour, would recommend - Excellent tour guide - deepened my understanding of some of the aspects of slavery in the urban context. Would have loved to know more about more of the enslaved members in the household but understandably this could be a limitation of the archival information available. Overall great, well paced and timed historical tour. Really lovely museum staff as well.
Review provided by Viator
Barbras382
Jun 6, 2024
Great Tour - Incredible tour of an Urban enslavement house. It took about an hour and you got to go inside the servants quarters as well as the house itself. Half of the tour is outside in the hot weather so bring a fan or umbrella. The main house is air conditioned. You do have to maneuver stairs. We were happy to realize we were the only ones on our tour - so it was very personalized, powerful, and informative. We took our adult sons (ages 18 and 20) and they appreciated it too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trek519744
Jun 4, 2024
Very informative - The tour covered a lot of ground and it was very interesting learning about how it was in the city. I learned a lot and the tour guide was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
161kimr
May 10, 2024
Great Tour Guide!! - Fantastic tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and I learned so much. He was a wealth of information. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mcdedrick
May 2, 2024
Interesting look into old New Orleans life - What a wonderful history filled tour of a storied old New Orleans mansion. Told by our knowledgeable guide through the eyes of what the enslaved people who worked there experienced, our guide really brought the story to life for us. Also we got to see people cooking a typical meal for the times in the same outside kitchen area that would have been used by the family’s enslaved people. Also, a great gift shop at the end of the tour where I found lots of interesting things made by local New Orleans residents.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Letsgo12
Jun 10, 2024
Gorgeous home. Right in the quarter. Quick tour. - The home was gorgeous. I was glad we got to go upstairs! I was happy there was a chair in the outdoors kitchen as my feet were hurting. I recommend bringing a water, even though you can't drink in the house. You can while waiting outside and while doing the outdoor tour part. The tour guide made some good historical points. You have to take it all with a bit of broad perspective also. What you have learned and know mixed in with what they say is true...I wish I could go back one day and see how the family really dressed, acted, ate....all of it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
16042102217
May 24, 2024
Frank and knowledgeable - The tour guide was honest, enthusiastic and most knowledgeable. She offered to answer question and gave a frank view of slavery as well as a tour of the house. The only thing missing was the upstairs slave quarters - renovations being done. That was a disappointment, but she was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cindy_m
May 19, 2024
Wax a small group - narrative is probably different depending on who escorts tour - History is always interesting - seeing a real life house from so long ago. Small group of only 2 x couples
Review provided by Viator
Legalcarol
Jun 7, 2024
Interesting Material, but Poorly Delivered - The actual tour of the home was very interesting and there was much to learn. However, our complaint was that our tour guide spoke too fast, not loud enough and did not enunciate which made it difficult for us to hear all the things he was telling us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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