What’s New This Month

February

All of February: Black History Month 

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Having a special designated time to celebrate Black History in America was the idea of historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, the U.S. has designated the month of February as Black History Month and we will celebrate at LCM again this year throughout the month and throughout the Museum!   

Visit our Make Your Mark Gallery to see our Wall of Fame, which features influential Black Mark Makers in Arts & Culture from Louisiana, including Irma Thomas, who is also prominently featured in our Jammin’ House and Terrance Osborne, the designer of the Shotgun House in our Make Your Mark Gallery. We feature many other talents who have made their marks on our city, our state, and all over the world. 

Throughout February: Adinkra Symbol Exploration 

Have you heard the word “Sankofa” or seen the symbol that represents it? Sankofa is a word from the Twi language of Ghana, Africa, connected to a proverb that teaches the importance of learning from the past. Do you know how this symbol and its meaning connect to the culture of New Orleans? 

Visit Studio in the Park as we explore the nature of shapes and symbolism in the world around us and how communicating through art and meaningful symbols connects us all. Guests will engage in process art through stamping on paper and fabric while learning about Adinkra symbols that originated in Ghana, were preserved by enslaved West Africans brought to this country long ago, and continue in the culture today. 

These symbols represent concepts from Ghanaian proverbs, such as justice, hope, and unity, and serve as a form of symbolic communication through imagery and culture. In connection with the local architectural landscape, you’ll discover how these symbols are present throughout New Orleans’ built environment and what they reveal about our city’s history. 

Every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: MathHappens

A Math Room is a welcoming, hands-on space where visitors of all ages can explore math through play, puzzles, and discovery. Activities are designed to spark curiosity and invite open-ended exploration – no worksheets, no pressure. Just joyful, creative encounters with math in a comfortable setting. The Math Room is made possible in partnership with the MathHappens Foundation, a nonprofit organization bringing meaningful math experiences to public spaces across the country. 

Wednesday, February 4: World Read Aloud Day Celebration

World Read Aloud Day is Wednesday, February 4! Join us for story time (11:00 and 1:00) in our Talk & Play Center for interactive readings of our favorite children’s books. We will also have read alouds throughout the Museum all day and we invite you to fill your LCM Read Aloud Bingo Card for a special prize! 

Thursday, February 5 & 19 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Sensory-Friendly Playtime

At LCM, we are committed to building stronger, more connected communities through active engagement. We welcome all families and children of all backgrounds and circumstances. We offer a playtime for families that provides a low-sensory experience where children with sensory-specific needs can explore the Museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of typical open hours. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, and provide adaptive equipment such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests. When available, specialists will be on hand to help facilitate activities and provide resources. If you would like to participate in this event, please register here.  

Saturday, February 7: Lunar New Year Kickoff 

Join us for a fun Lunar New Year kickoff led by the Xavier University Chinese Program!
Families and children can enjoy red envelopes, Spring Festival couplets, paper cutting, and New Year greetings while exploring Chinese and Taiwanese culture. Let’s welcome 2026—the Year of the Horse—together! 

Saturday, February 7 & Sunday, February 8: Mardi Gras Maker Station 

It’s Carnival Season! Join us at our Mardi Gras Maker Station in our Studio in the Park to craft your own festive Mardi Gras accessories! Guests will be invited to showcase these masterpieces at our Mardi Gras Masquerade (Wiggle Party) on Sunday, February 8 at 2:00.

Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m.: Nature Walk with Louisiana Master Naturalists 

Let’s go on a nature adventure! Take a curious walk through the LCM Big Backyard with Louisiana Master Naturalists. Families and young learners are invited to explore, observe, and ask questions as we notice the living world together. 

February 11 – February 13: We Love LCM! 

We LOVE LCM! We know you do, too. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we will share our love of the Museum with a colorful bar graph, highlighting which parts of LCM you love best. Is it the book nook in Make Your Mark, the Bean Machine in Follow That Food? Maybe it’s the sensory lagoon in Play With Me or somewhere amongst the butterflies in our Edible Garden. There is so much to love at LCM. Join us as we show our love by adding to our We LOVE LCM Bar Graph.

Tuesday, February 24 at 12:00 p.m.: In Dialogue Session: AI Fact vs Fiction: Safety Tips for Families with Dr. Eric Griggs 

The LCM In Dialogue Series is dedicated to connecting with families and educators through discussing important topics that impact the health and wellness of children. Parents and caregivers are constantly looking for resources and expertise to guide them through the many different stages of parenthood. They often seek advice for the difficult questions that children bring home, based on what they see in the world around them. This series can help guide caregivers in creating a dialogue with their children.  

The LCM In Dialogue Series offers monthly online, interactive sessions with health professionals and experts who will discuss topics that impact children and families, including parent-child attachment, gun violence, screen time, eating habits, and so much more.  

This month we will discuss Artificial Intelligence with Doc Griggs. You can register to attend this event live via Teams at this link:   Registration for In Dialogue

The sessions are also recorded and can be found at lcm.org, where we have curated library of resources for our community.   

Saturday, February 21 at 12:30 p.m.: Buzzing with Questions: Celebrating the Life of Charles Henry Turner 

Charles Henry Turner was an insect scientist and educator who was best known for his important studies on the behavior of bees and ants. Learn what the buzz is all about by joining us in the Edible Garden for a special showcase of Charles Henry Turner and the book Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner by Janice N. Harrington and practice being a bayou biologist by learning about and observing insects in our Big Backyard. 

Sunday, February 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Ancestral Artistry Presentation and Demos by the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild 

Join us for a special presentation featuring Master Blacksmith Darryl A. Reeves, Apprentice Blacksmith Karina Roca, Master Plasterer Jeff Poree, and Jonn E. Hankins of the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild. They will share the history of Adinkra symbols in our local architecture and share techniques and stories from their trades. The event includes a segment from the documentary Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans & Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture, produced by @louisianaarchitecture, and a chance for all ages to get hands-on with Adinkra symbol stamping and plaster mold demonstrations in our Studio in the Park. 

Mardi Gras Museum Hours

LCM is closed Saturday, Feb 14 – Tuesday, Feb 17. We will open on Wednesday, Feb 18 at 9:30 a.m.