Mobile Carnival Museum

January 14, 2022

355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602

“The Mobile Carnival Museum is a history museum that chronicles over 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. The museum is housed in the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion on Government Street in downtown Mobile.” Wikipedia

Mobile claims to be the birthplace of Mardi Gras dating back to 1703. The museum gives one a glimpse into some of the pagentry and the pomp associated with Carnival in Mobile. An eight-minute video shows some of the history and some of the present day activites (though it was a little dated). After the video I took a guided tour where the docent pointed out a lot of interesting facts about the items in the museum. The first room is dedicated to the floats that are in the parades, after that the museum has a lot of memorabilia, but is mainly filled with the trains, jewelry, and other clothing from the Queens and Kings of Mardi Gras.

I enjoyed and was amazed at some of the trains on display. As I said, the docent had a lot of information, but on my drive back to the campground I thought of several questions, most concerning the royalty aspect of Mobile’s Carnival. I’ve often thought I probably wouldn’t enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans as it looks too crowded and at times out of control for my liking, but I could see myself checking out Mardi Gras in Mobile.

A part of a past float on display in the museum. It was so situated so people could climb aboard and get the feel of what it is like to be on a float.

A cat that adorned a float in the past. Looking from afar it appears to be made of aluminum paper.

When you look closer, the cat is decorated with aluminum cupcake tins.

Part of another float. The dragon on this one used to shoot out fire.

I'm not sure what year these represent, but the Queen's train and gown are on the left and the King's train and suit are on the right.

These I believe are the 2019 MAMGA Queen and King and their memorabilia. MAMGA is the African-American Carnival association.

The museum is housed in a beautiful old home with outstanding woodwork that has been preserved very well.

There are royal positions that start at a very young age.

The King (and Queen) host a dinner after their coronation. This is an example of a King's train and his matching dinner place settings.

The room was dedicated to the Comic Cowboys Crewe, an irreverant group who put satirical signs on their floats.

Another train of a king and the dinner table.

Room dedicated to the Crewe of Columbus.

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