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Monday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Mobile Carnival Museum

Name: Mobile Carnival Museum
Address: 355 Government Street, Mobile, AL, 36602, US
Telephone: (251) 432-3324
Price range: $
Rating: 5

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Mobile Carnival Museum

The Mobile Carnival Museum highlights the history of Mardi Gras in the true birthplace- Mobile, Alab
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06/17/2026

Carnival thrived "Up the Country" in the 1870s. Demopolis in the Canebrake portion of the Alabama Black Belt witnessed lively Carnival parades and balls during the decade. Economic, cultural, and familial connections had long bound Mobile to Demopolis. That a Demopolis mystic society should be named after Mobile's first mystic society should come as no surprise. The write up from The Clarke County Democrat shows the Demopolis Cowbellions knew how to hit the streets with style! Demopolis is one of numerous Alabama communities given the spotlight in "Carnival in Alabama." Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/15/2026

Museums plan exhibits years in advance. Several exhibits occupy the laptop, desk, and mind of the Mobile Carnival Museum's curatorial staff on any given date. One very special exhibit will open to the public later this year at Mobile's most distinctive of cultural attractions. Entitled "An Artist and a Gentleman," the exhibit will celebrate the Carnival artistry of the late Edward Ladd. Over one hundred original drawings will inform this homage to Carnival Museum's second curator. The pictures making up this post only hint at the wonder and whimsy of what will be the Museum's signature exhibit for the upcoming Carnival Season. Imagery courtesy of a private collection. Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/12/2026

Happy Friday and Roll Tide... You got that last bit right. Tuscaloosa, the home of the Crimson Tide, held Carnival and Carnival-themed celebrations over the course of several decades in the 19th Century. Multiple mystic and parading societies, including an early African American society, hit the streets in downtown Tuscaloosa and in nearby Northport. The Druid City's Carnival celebrations are showcased in "Where the Boom, Boom Began and Thrives: Carnival in Alabama." The ongoing thematic exhibit at the Mobile Carnival Museum, this exhibit explores the rich history and exciting present of Carnival in Yellowhammer State. Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/10/2026

Following the Civil War, "up the country" Carnival not only rebounded, but expanded. By 1870, roughly a dozen cities in the Alabama Black Belt were celebrating Carnival. During this time, Selma, in Dallas County, was home to the third largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States. At least four mystic societies, one of first carnival associations in the U.S., and wholehearted municipal endorsement caused for popular embrace of a whole host of celebrations. Parades, balls (with tableaux), coronations, pronouncements, and other forms of fanfare made for heady times. Selma's post-Civil War Carnival history is featured in a special display in "Carnival in Alabama." Visit Mobile Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page

06/08/2026

The Civil War altered life in Mobile. One aspect of the Port City's existence that did not change was Carnival. While parades ceased with the start of the conflict, balls continued throughout most of the War. Following the end of the Civil War, Carnival flourished. The Cowbellion de Rakin Society, Strikers, and T.D.S. resumed their annual celebrations. The Order of Myths (OOMs) and Infant Mystics were established in 1867 and 1868 respectively. Joseph Stillwell Cain staged his impromptu procession in 1868. In the 1870s, the Knights of Revelry (KORs) and the Mobile Carnival Association were formed. The Comic Cowboys and the Order of Dragons (OOD) and followed in the next decade. "Where the Boom, Boom Began and Thrives: Carnival in Alabama" has a whole section dedicated to this high point in Mobile history. As evidenced by the pictures populating this most, parade composites, early float drawings, fine silver, gorgeous invitations, jeweled regalia, and numerous other artifacts figure attest to the brilliance and magic of Mobile's greatest living tradition during this epoch. Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/05/2026

During the 1850s, Hayneville, the seat of Lowndes County, observed Carnival. While little is known of the origins and rituals of the town's early mystic society, the source of the society's name is all too clear. Hayneville's Cowbellions were inspired, if only in name alone, by the venerable Cowbellion de Rakin Society of Mobile. Even though the Hayneville organization is no longer active, the charming community remains. A grand courthouse still presides over the courthouse square, just as it did in the 1850s. The Hayneville Cowbellions are one of over thirty mystic societies outside of Mobile celebrated in "Carnival in Alabama." Experience a little Carnival in June by touring this special thematic exhibit. Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/03/2026

Montgomery was another Alabama city that celebrate Carnival before the Civil War. In fact, Carnival culture has thrived in Montgomery during multiple epochs of the city's history. During the 1850s, likely 1853, the first documented mystic society in Montgomery was established. Known as the Young Americans, this society focused their energies on a grand ball. The Young Americans' first ball warranted comparison to long established traditions in Mobile! The snippet of an 1855 account of the Young Americans' ball and an 1861 view of Dexter Avenue are among the displays showcasing Montgomery's first Carnival forays. Later celebrations inform further installations in "Where the Boom, Boom Began and Thrives: Carnival in Alabama." Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

06/01/2026

Did you know that the second oldest active mystic society in the United States is found in Livingston, Alabama? The seat of Sumter County and home of the University of West Alabama, Livingston has a long rich Carnival history. Possibly three mystic societies existed in the charming community before the Civil War. The D.U.D.s are the only society to survive from that period in the town's history. Variously referred to as the "Damn Ugly Devils," "Dressed Up Dudes," or "Dance Until Daylight," the organization's annual parade is still a high point of New Year's Celebrations in Livingston. The D.U.D.s, along with several other Livingston mystic societies, are showcased as part of "Where the Boom, Boom Began and Thrives: Carnival in Alabama," the Mobile Carnival Museum's ongoing thematic exhibit. Early 20th Century view of Livingston courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile

05/29/2026

Cahawba was the second town in Alabama to observe Carnival. Founded in 1819, this inland port town was created as the first permanent capital of the State of Alabama. In 1834, a group of young men in Cahawba founded G.G.H. While it remains known what the initials represented, this "up the country" mystic society quickly formalized their celebrations. By the 1840s, their festive observations included an annual parade, an oration, a ball (with tableaux), and a supper. Like the Cowbellion de Rakin Society in Mobile, which they modeled themselves, G.G.H. selected a new theme annually. Pictures informing this post are courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Cahawba Archaeological Park. The photographs, along with an 1858 newspaper account, provide a hint into Antebellum Carnival culture outside of Mobile. Cahawba is one of over two dozen Alabama communities showcased in "Carnival in Alabama." Images of the Cahawba portion of the exhibit figure in this post. The town site is now home to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. Managed by the Alabama Historical Commission, with additional support from the Cahawba Foundation, this state park showcases the fascinating history of truly fascinating cultural and natural landscape. Visit Mobile Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page

05/27/2026

"Where the Boom, Boom Began and Thrives: Carnival in Alabama" provides a history of American Carnival in the state upon which stars fell. Two particularly notable pieces in the exhibit are highlighted in this post. "The Alabama River at Selma" and View of the City of Mobile (1836) first routes by which modern-day American Carnival first expanded beyond Mobile. It traveled up Alabama's enviable river system. Steamboats made possible more floats... Bad pun aside, rivers were the interstates of their day. Goods, people, ideas, and much more went up and down the Alabama, Tombigbee, and Mobile Rivers. Within a few short years of the founding of the Cowbellion de Rakin Society in Mobile, mystic societies in communities located off the Alabama River in the Black Belt region staged spectacles modeled on those in the Port City. Ensuing posts will shed light on some of these celebrations. The two pictures speak for themselves. The Frye painting is on loan from the Selma Dallas County Public Library. It is one of the most significant loans the Mobile Carnival Museum has ever taken. The 1836 map hails from a private collection. PMT Publishing facilitated the loan of this rare depiction of Mobile. Both works are best admired in person. There is so much detail to them! Visit Mobile: CVB Member and Business Page Visit Mobile Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society

Address

355 Government Street
Mobile, AL
36602

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

(251) 432-3324

Website

http://www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com/

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