Mobile Carnival Museum undergoes $1.5 million renovations
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As Mobile’s streets are flooded with green, purple + gold-clad celebrants this Mardi Gras season, many may wonder where the holiday originated—between catching Moon Pies + begging floats for beads, that is. For those whose curiosity of the merrymaking persists past the glitz + gaiety that are Mobile’s parades, the city boasts a recently improved Carnival museum in its downtown area.
The Mobile Carnival Museum opened its doors for business over two decades ago. By this time next year, they’ll have completed their long-awaited renovations to the building—the historic Bernstein-Bush House—which was originally built in 1872.
The multi-phase project has been in the works for years, featuring interior refurbishment, building restoration + additions. The construction cost is estimated to total $1,484,071.
With Mobile on the cusp of Mardi Gras season, tourists, locals + revelry-lovers alike will want to take a peek behind the curtain of Carnival history.
Here’s a quick run-down:
- Location: 355 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602
- Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, 9AM–4PM | Closed on Tues, Thurs + Sun
- Admission:
- General: $8
- Student tours + children (12 & under): $3
- Military, students with ID, AAA, AARP: $6
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Keep reading for more details on what the improved museum looks like!
Phase one is complete: Interior upgrades
From last May to October, the museum was closed to visitors as interior refurbishments were underway. Mobile Carnival Museum Curator Cart Blackwell noted that new text panels for artifacts, textiles + works of art were added during this phase.
“We overhauled our interpretation. There’s a new sequence of text panels for every gallery throughout the museum, and those panels reflect our new interpretation which looks at Carnival as an art form, an economic engine, a good time and a family affair.”
Cartledge “Cart” Blackwell III, curator of the Mobile Carnival Museum
In addition to text panel updates, floor to ceiling changes were made in the museum’s 18 galleries + gift shop:
- Previous carpeting was removed + replaced
- Hard flooring was installed in 4 galleries
- A new audio system was installed
- Historic flooring was refurbished
- Their lighting system was revamped
“[The hard surfacing] is better for the conservation of pieces, better for maintaining cleanliness and there’s no competition for the display. So that was a big thing. We’ve preserved all of the original historic features: the beautiful gasoliers, the marble mantels, historic plaster work. Everything just really does shine, and it’s not only good for conservation, but it’s just good housekeeping in general, to get things to a top notch standard and then maintain from there.”
Cartledge “Cart” Blackwell III, curator of the Mobile Carnival Museum
Phase two: Wood repair + restoration
The next phase of the project features the wood repair + restoration of the building itself—which is currently in its final stages. Fortunately, the museum has been able to remain open to visitors during this stage.
Further additions to the campus, such as an improved theater space, will be completed at a later date. All of the work is anticipated to be complete by February of next year.
“Having our physical fabric top notch, it is a wonderful way to stage exhibits that celebrate Carnival in all its forms. So the physical improvements, coupled with the great exhibits we have lined up, it’s a special time for the museum. We are very thankful for the work done to date and look forward to changes that will be unfurling over the course of the year.”
Cartledge “Cart” Blackwell III, curator of the Mobile Carnival Museum
Upcoming exhibits
The museum houses the work of 80 different artists, one of which is currently being highlighted in a series of active, living artists: Colleen Turrell Comer. Comer, a Mobile resident + Auburn University alumna, created paintings based upon the photography within the Alabama Mardi Gras book Bon Temps.
“[Comer’s paintings] cover the royal side of Carnival, the street side of Carnival. They cover food, they cover music, they cover fashion. It’s a great exhibit.”
Cartledge “Cart” Blackwell III, curator of the Mobile Carnival Museum
When the exhibit on Comer closes in March, it will be succeeded by one highlighting the origins + spread of Carnival in Alabama. Before Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans, it existed in the Black Belt region—in over 50 Alabama cities; this exhibit will remain until Fall 2026.
The exhibits to follow will include one focusing on the museum’s late curator, Mr. Edward Ladd, one recognizing famous Carnival designer Ron Barrett + one featuring the architecture involved in Carnival.
This Mardi Gras season, should one choose to celebrate the holiday in its birthplace, stopping by the museum would be a grand way to thoroughly appreciate the art, economic engine, family affair + good time that is Carnival.
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