Tremé: The Oldest Black Neighborhood in America

Tremé, located in the heart of New Orleans, is recognized as the oldest African American neighborhood in the United States. Beginning in the late 1700s, both free people of color and enslaved families established homes, churches, and businesses here. It became a place where African heritage blended with Creole traditions and European influences, creating a unique cultural landscape.

Throughout the 19th century, Tremé developed as a center of music, activism, and community. Brass bands marched through its streets, social aid and pleasure clubs supported families in need, and churches anchored both faith and resistance. Tremé was also a home for Black-owned newspapers, political organizing, and some of the earliest fights for civil rights in America.

Today, Tremé remains a symbol of cultural survival and creativity. Its traditions of music, parades, and community gatherings continue to shape the identity of New Orleans and influence the wider world.