NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) announced the debut of a new exhibition, The Katrina List: An Untold Story of Hurricane Katrina, opening on Aug. 28 in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Presented in partnership with The Katrina National Memorial Foundation (KNMF), this exhibition honors the work of KNMF founder, R. Omar Casimire, whose tireless efforts to document and memorialize the human impact of the storm have preserved stories that history nearly erased. Through this partnership, NOAAM brings forward artifacts, oral histories, and carefully preserved materials once held privately, now accessible for the public’s healing reflection.
“As the founder of the Katrina National Memorial Park Charitable Foundation/Museum (KNMF), this journey has been one of profound purpose and unwavering commitment,” said R. Omar Casimire,Founder, CEO and chief curator, KNMF Museum. “Seeing the stories, artifacts, and voices of those affected by Hurricane Katrina preserved and shared has been both humbling and inspiring. The recent relocation of the KNMF Museum archives to the New Orleans African American Museum is a monumental step forward- offering these treasured pieces a permanent home where the community, students, and visitors from around the world can experience, reflect, and honor the resilience of New Orleans and its people.”
The museum shares that through a poignant assemblage of survivor testimonies, photographs, documents, and oral histories, the exhibition brings a thoughtful narrative arc to the exhibition, unveiling Casimire’s grassroots archive that chronicles the lives of over 10,000 individuals who were stranded, unprotected, and nearly forgotten in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Casimire, who remained in New Orleans during and after the storm, documented rescued survivors’ experiences, and meticulously compiled “The Katrina List”—an ambitious project seeking justice for those abandoned by systemic failures.
Extended across NOAAM’s Community Reading Room, Bayouside Gallery, and Main Gallery, the exhibition will feature the striking “Katrina List,” a compilation of 10,000 names, alongside over 100 artifacts from Mr. Casimere’s collection, including archival photos, printed flyers, handwritten letters, and salvaged objects. Visitors can also immerse themselves in A/V stations with recorded survivor stories and interactive QR code experiences, and contribute their reflections to a legacy map wall.
“At the New Orleans African American Museum, we understand that Hurricane Katrina is not just a chapter in our city’s history — it is a living testament to the endurance, creativity, and spiritual strength of our people,” said Gia M. Hamilton, NOAAM CEO & chief curator. “The relocation of the Katrina National Memorial Park collection into NOAAM’s care allows us to safeguard these artifacts and stories within the cultural and historical heart of Tremé. This 20th anniversary exhibition is not only a memorial; it is a call to witness, to remember, and to honor the generations who carry forward the truth, lessons, and legacy of Katrina.”
The exhibition will offer viewers an enriching experience through interactive learning with digital access to extended oral histories and archival interviews, robust public programming including story circles, panel discussions, and youth education workshops, and meaningful legacy engagement where each visitor leaves with access to a digital archive, curated reading material, and avenues to support ongoing memory preservation.
The Katrina List: An Untold Story of Hurricane Katrina will remain on view through Aug. 30, 2026. For more information, including public programming and special events, please visit NOAAM’s website.