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Photo gallery: Scenes from Tremé [1]

['J Brionne Helaire', 'More J Brionne Helaire', 'College Fellow']

Date: 2023-03-02

Members of the Treme Sports Social and Pleasure Club dancing in the street at a second line parade in 1982, with members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and community participants. Credit: Photograph by Michael P. Smith ©The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.0103.4.251 Louis Armstrong was a son of poverty from Black Storyville, known as Backatown. Famous for his vocal improvisations and his amazing trumpet skills, Armstrong also starred in 35 movies as well as the Broadway musical, “Hello Dolly.” Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite Mahalia Jackson was born in New Orleans and became a world famous gospel singer. She would go on to sing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before his speeches. In 1963 during the March on Washington, she sang “I’ve Been Buked and I’ve Been Scorned.” She also sang the gospel hymn, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” at King’s funeral in 1968. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite St. Augustine Church was built in 1842 by the residents of Tremé. It was the first Catholic church in the nation that allowed Black people to buy pews in the front. St. Augustine Parish is the oldest Catholic parish in Louisiana. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite Sidney Bechet played the clarinet and saxophone. He was one of the first jazz improvisationalists. Bechet is known for incorporating a jazz-swing vibe into his music. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite Kermit Ruffins and Wynton Marsalis perform during a “face off” at an indoor party at the Little People’s Place in 1995. The bar was on Barracks Street in the Treme neighborhood. Standing between Ruffins and Marsalis is Irvin Mayfield. Credit: Photograph by Michael P. Smith ©The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.0103.4.392 On Sundays, Africans gathered in Congo Square, an open market for enslaved and free people of color, for dancing and drumming. The statue represents groups dancing in chains. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite A second line procession under the Claiborne Avenue/I-10 overpass during a Jazz funeral in New Orleans. Many second line clubs originated in Treme. The clubs paraded with brass bands on major holidays. They also functioned as benevolent societies that helped those in need in Black neighborhoods. Credit: The Historic New Orleans Collection, Gift of Stanton M. Frazer, ©Porché West, acc. no. 1981.115 This is a shrine dedicated to the many unknown enslaved who died in Faubourg Tremé. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite A group of African-American men, women, and children in front of Walter’s Place Sea Food Yat-Mein in 1955. There were signs advertising 7UP, Dixie 45 beer, Regal beer, Falstaff beer, and Fatima cigarettes. Credit: The Historic New Orleans. Gift of the Diana Helis Henry Art Fund of The Helis Foundation and Neelon Crawford. acc. no. 2013.0021.23 Charles Joseph “Buddy Bolden” was a cornetist who is credited with creating jazz. He was known for his improvisational skills and played his horn by ear instead of reading music. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite Black masking Indians came out of Tremé. This statue is of Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana. He was known for his elaborately beautiful Indian suits for Carnival and transforming the Black masking Indian culture to pageantry instead of combat. He was Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas until he died in 2005. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire/Verite Six men posing in front of a bar and restaurant at a corner on Treme Street in 1978. The banner above says “Restaurant Treme Lounge” and also includes the names of the following social clubs; Scene Boosters, Dirty Dozen, Treme Sports, Calender Girls, Money Wasters and 6th Ward High Steppers. A sign in the door reads “Free Red Beans and Rice Labor Day.” Credit: Jules Cahn Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.78.8.16 Several men carry a casket out of the Blandin Funeral Home. Olympia Brass Band Grand Marshal “Fats” Houston stands in front of the casket as a crowd surrounds the place. Credit: Jules Cahn Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2000.78.1.974 The tradition of brass bands in New Orleans started after the Civil War when the military bands inspired the creation of civilian bands within the city. The bands performed, and continue to perfom, at numerous occasions, including funeral processions. Credit: J’Brionne Helaire Staff posing outside of the Treme Market in 1949. Credit: The Charles L. Franck Studio Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 1979.325.3989 A view of the Treme Market with streetcar tracks taken between 1880 and 1910. Credit: The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc.no. 1970.15.69 1 / 17

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Tremé is one of the oldest predominantly Black neighborhoods in America. Founded in 1763, it was the only area in New Orleans where free people of color could legally buy property.

Tremé originally was a plantation owned by the Morand family. In the late 18th century it was bought by Claude Tremé, a French hatmaker and his wife Julie Moreau, a free woman of color. The couple divided the land to sell to free people of color, according to Denise Augustine, a tour guide who grew up in Tremé. The neighborhood nurtured many of the musicians who pioneered and sustained jazz along with tradesmen, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs.

The HBO series “Tremé,” which aired for four seasons, celebrated the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, capturing some of the music, culture and character of the neighborhood.

But the Tremé of yesterday is no longer.

Urban renewal projects, including the building of Interstate I-10 in the 1960s and the creation of Armstrong Park, named after famed jazz musician Louis Armstrong, displaced hundreds of families. Further development and gentrification also affected the culture of the neighborhood. Fewer than half of the original families are still residing in Tremé.

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Sabrina Mays, who is from the 7th Ward, is working to help preserve the historic legacy of Tremé. As a 17-year-old, she helped fight to save Armstrong Park.

“I don’t see Black kids out here anymore … there are no Black children in Tremé,” says Mays. “And so I say we need to be able to archive our stories so that when people talk about Tremé, there are authentic stories.”

To help preserve the Tremé culture, Mays conducts story circles where the remaining families with a long history in the neighborhood are urged to talk about the Tremé they were raised in.

“In all the interviews that I’ve done, as children, they remember the smells and the sounds of Tremé — people cooking and how they could go to anybody’s house and get something to eat and how the doors were left open. But they [remember] mainly about the rhythm, the spirit of Tremé.”

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If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @VeriteNewsNola on Facebook @VeriteNewsNola on Twitter. If you have any other questions, contact managing editor Tim Morris. Photo gallery: Scenes from Tremé <h1>Photo gallery: Scenes from Tremé</h1> <p class="byline">by J’Brionne Helaire, Verite <br />March 2, 2023</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4445" data-id="4445" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SportsandSocialPleasureClubParade-1024x754.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Members of the Treme Sports Social and Pleasure Club dancing in the street at a second line parade in 1982, with members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and community participants. Credit: Photograph by Michael P. Smith ©The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.0103.4.251</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4456" data-id="4456" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LouisArmstronginArmstrongPark-1024x795.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Louis Armstrong was a son of poverty from Black Storyville, known as Backatown. Famous for his vocal improvisations and his amazing trumpet skills, Armstrong also starred in 35 movies as well as the Broadway musical, "Hello Dolly.” Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4457" data-id="4457" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MahaliaJacksonStatueinArmstrongPark-688x1024.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Mahalia Jackson was born in New Orleans and became a world famous gospel singer. She would go on to sing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before his speeches. In 1963 during the March on Washington, she sang "I've Been Buked and I've Been Scorned." She also sang the gospel hymn, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” at King’s funeral in 1968. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4459" data-id="4459" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/staugustinechurch-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">St. Augustine Church was built in 1842 by the residents of Tremé. It was the first Catholic church in the nation that allowed Black people to buy pews in the front. St. Augustine Parish is the oldest Catholic parish in Louisiana. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4458" data-id="4458" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SidneyBechetinArmstrongPark-719x1024.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Sidney Bechet played the clarinet and saxophone. He was one of the first jazz improvisationalists. Bechet is known for incorporating a jazz-swing vibe into his music. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4444" data-id="4444" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/KermitRuffinsWyntonMarsalis-1024x719.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kermit Ruffins and Wynton Marsalis perform during a "face off" at an indoor party at the Little People's Place in 1995. The bar was on Barracks Street in the Treme neighborhood. Standing between Ruffins and Marsalis is Irvin Mayfield.<br /> Credit: Photograph by Michael P. Smith ©The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.0103.4.392</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4455" data-id="4455" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CongoSquareDancingGroup-1024x719.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">On Sundays, Africans gathered in Congo Square, an open market for enslaved and free people of color, for dancing and drumming. The statue represents groups dancing in chains. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4443" data-id="4443" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JazzFuneralParade-1024x822.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption"> A second line procession under the Claiborne Avenue/I-10 overpass during a Jazz funeral in New Orleans.<br /> Many second line clubs originated in Treme. The clubs paraded with brass bands on major holidays. They also functioned as benevolent societies that helped those in need in Black neighborhoods. Credit: The Historic New Orleans Collection, Gift of Stanton M. Frazer, ©Porché West, acc. no. 1981.115</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4464" data-id="4464" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Crossatstaugustine-1-1024x717.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">This is a shrine dedicated to the many unknown enslaved who died in Faubourg Tremé. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4448" data-id="4448" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WaltersPlace-1024x703.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A group of African-American men, women, and children in front of Walter's Place Sea Food Yat-Mein in 1955. There were signs advertising 7UP, Dixie 45 beer, Regal beer, Falstaff beer, and Fatima cigarettes. Credit: The Historic New Orleans. Gift of the Diana Helis Henry Art Fund of The Helis Foundation and Neelon Crawford. acc. no. 2013.0021.23</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4454" data-id="4454" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BuddyBolden-683x1024.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Charles Joseph “Buddy Bolden” was a cornetist who is credited with creating jazz. He was known for his improvisational skills and played his horn by ear instead of reading music.<br /> Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4452" data-id="4452" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BlackMaskingIndianArmstrongPark-1024x711.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Black masking Indians came out of Tremé. This statue is of Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana. He was known for his elaborately beautiful Indian suits for Carnival and transforming the Black masking Indian culture to pageantry instead of combat. He was Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas until he died in 2005. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire/Verite</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4441" data-id="4441" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/6MenRestaurantLounge-1024x702.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Six men posing in front of a bar and restaurant at a corner on Treme Street in 1978. The banner above says "Restaurant Treme Lounge" and also includes the names of the following social clubs; Scene Boosters, Dirty Dozen, Treme Sports, Calender Girls, Money Wasters and 6th Ward High Steppers. A sign in the door reads "Free Red Beans and Rice Labor Day." Credit: Jules Cahn Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.78.8.16</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4442" data-id="4442" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BlandinFuneralHome-1024x831.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Several men carry a casket out of the Blandin Funeral Home. Olympia Brass Band Grand Marshal "Fats" Houston stands in front of the casket as a crowd surrounds the place. Credit: Jules Cahn Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2000.78.1.974 </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4453" data-id="4453" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BrassBandinArmstrongPark-1024x672.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The tradition of brass bands in New Orleans started after the Civil War when the military bands inspired the creation of civilian bands within the city. The bands performed, and continue to perfom, at numerous occasions, including funeral processions. Credit: J'Brionne Helaire</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4447" data-id="4447" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/TremePublicMarket-1024x845.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Staff posing outside of the Treme Market in 1949. Credit: The Charles L. Franck Studio Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 1979.325.3989</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-4446" data-id="4446" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/TremeMarketTrainTracks-1024x724.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A view of the Treme Market with streetcar tracks taken between 1880 and 1910. Credit: The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc.no. 1970.15.69</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-verite wp-block-embed-verite"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://veritenews.org/join-our-mailing-list/ </div> </figure> <p>Tremé is one of the oldest predominantly Black neighborhoods in America. Founded in 1763, it was the only area in New Orleans where free people of color could legally buy property. </p> <p>Tremé originally was a plantation owned by the Morand family. In the late 18th century it was bought by Claude Tremé, a French hatmaker and his wife Julie Moreau, a free woman of color. The couple divided the land to sell to free people of color, according to Denise Augustine, a tour guide who grew up in Tremé. The neighborhood nurtured many of the musicians who pioneered and sustained jazz along with tradesmen, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs. </p> <p>The HBO series <a href="https://www.hbo.com/treme">“Tremé,” </a>which aired for four seasons, celebrated the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, capturing some of the music, culture and character of the neighborhood. </p> <p>But the Tremé of yesterday is no longer. </p> <p>Urban renewal projects, including the building of Interstate I-10 in the 1960s and the creation of Armstrong Park, named after famed jazz musician Louis Armstrong, displaced hundreds of families. Further development and gentrification also affected the culture of the neighborhood. Fewer than half of the original families are still residing in Tremé. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-verite wp-block-embed-verite"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://veritenews.org/our-commitment-to-listening/ </div> </figure> <p>Sabrina Mays, who is from the 7th Ward, is working to help preserve the historic legacy of Tremé. As a 17-year-old, she helped fight to save Armstrong Park.</p> <p>“I don’t see Black kids out here anymore … there are no Black children in Tremé,” says Mays. “And so I say we need to be able to archive our stories so that when people talk about Tremé, there are authentic stories.” </p> <p>To help preserve the Tremé culture, Mays conducts story circles where the remaining families with a long history in the neighborhood are urged to talk about the Tremé they were raised in. </p> <p>“In all the interviews that I've done, as children, they remember the smells and the sounds of Tremé — people cooking and how they could go to anybody's house and get something to eat and how the doors were left open. But they [remember] mainly about the rhythm, the spirit of Tremé.”</p> This <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org/2023/03/02/photo-gallery-scenes-from-treme/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org">Verite</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-Verite-icon.png?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://veritenews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=4438&ga=319934958" style="width:1px;height:1px;">

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