Old U.S. Mint

The Old U.S. Mint, at 400 Esplanade Avenue on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the only building in the United States that has served as both a United States mint and a Confederate mint. Designed by William Strickland and completed in 1838, the Greek Revival building stood beside the Mississippi River and produced coins until 1909, with a break during the Civil War. It later served as a federal prison, an assay office and a Coast Guard station before being transferred to the Louisiana State Museum. Today the building is part of the state museum and houses exhibits on the city's musical heritage, including jazz, along with the history of the mint and the New Orleans Jazz Collection, which has featured instruments such as a cornet associated with Louis Armstrong. Exhibit space has reopened in phases, so visitors should confirm which galleries are open at louisianastatemuseum.org. A visit typically takes about one hour. Admission is about $7 to $10, and the building is generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, though hours vary. The mint is a quieter stop than the Jackson Square museums, and crowds are usually light, with the weekday afternoon the calmest. For photography, the Greek Revival facade with its columns is the best subject, and the interior courtyard also offers pleasing angles. The building sits at the downriver end of the French Quarter, a five-minute walk from the French Market and close to Frenchmen Street, and the Rampart-St. Claude streetcar stops nearby on Esplanade. It pairs well with a walk along Decatur Street, lunch at the French Market and an evening of music on Frenchmen Street.