Mission




Events

News

Mission

Jazz History

Armstrong Park

Projects

Music!

Maps

Kids Page

 

Statue of Louis Armstrong taken as it stands in Armstrong Park
Statue of Louis Armstrong in Armstrong Park

About the Park: Our Mission

In 1987, the 100th U.S. Congress resolved that "Jazz is hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure to which we should devote our attention, support, and resources to make sure it is preserved, understood and promulgated."

The mission is to serve the nation as a global leader in the promulgation of New Orleans jazz by enhancing and instilling a public appreciation and understanding of the origins, early history, development and progression of this uniquely American music art form - jazz. To preserve unimpaired this cultural resource and it’s core values for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Purpose of the Park:

The following statements describe the primary reasons why the park was created. They influence management priorities and are central to decisions about how the park should be developed and managed.

The purpose of New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is to

• preserve resources and information that are associated with the origins and early development of jazz in New Orleans

• enhance opportunities for visitors to experience and appreciate the sights and sounds of early jazz and the places where early jazz evolved

• interpret the origins, history, and progression of jazz

• promote and assist the education of students in various forms of jazz in order to perpetuate its continued evolution as a true American art form

Significance of the Park:

The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is significant because:

• New Orleans is widely recognized as the birthplace of jazz and the sites and structures associated with the early history of jazz remain in the city.

• Jazz is America’s most widely recognized indigenous music art form; performance and appreciation of jazz is worldwide.

• Many distinctive social and traditional practices associated with the origins of jazz continue in New Orleans today.

Park Facts:

Date Authorized: Oct. 31, 1994 (Public Law 103-433)

Current, Headquarters: 419 Rue Decatur, New Orleans, LA 70130

Temporary Visitor Center 916 N. Peters, New Orleans, LA

Superintendent: Gayle Hazelwood

Phone: (504)589-4806

Number of Employees: 8

Jazz is America's most widely recognized indigenous musical art form. Just as America evolved with each new wave of people from other lands arriving on her shores, the distinctive sounds of New Orleans jazz emerged as an expression of the many people, cultures, traditions and musical elements - African, French, Creole, Spanish, European "classical," and some Asian - which came together to create a unique atmosphere in which the music could develop and flourish. It, in turn, has influenced, and been influenced by rock and roll, blues, country, pop, and movie soundtracks. the music you enjoy today probably had its roots in jazz.


The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park at a Glance:

top

  Volunteers Press Kit Contact Us Links
Management Documents New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Home Page National Park Service Home Page