Now Available: The Souvenir Shirt That Says It All

Laura Kuhn
Jul 19
2 min read

🖤 “Lewd and Abandoned Since 1718” — A Storyville Statement Piece

The New Orleans Storyville Museum is proud to unveil our official museum t-shirt—a sleek black tee with a cheeky tagline that’s equal parts history, humor, and local pride: “Lewd and Abandoned Since 1718.”

Available now in our museum gift shop and online store, this shirt is more than just wearable merch—it’s a nod to the city’s bawdy past and Storyville’s unapologetic spirit.

👕 What It Says—and What It Means

On the surface, “Lewd and Abandoned Since 1718” might sound like a rebellious catchphrase. And it is. But it’s also a clever wink to New Orleans’ founding year and its long-standing reputation as America’s most unapologetically sensual city.

When the French established New Orleans in 1718, it didn’t take long for the city to gain a reputation for its hedonistic nightlife, carnal pleasures, and laissez-faire attitude. Over the centuries, its taverns, dance halls, and later, its legendary red-light district—Storyville—cemented its status as a haven for the bold, the free-spirited, and yes, the lewd and abandoned.

The phrase is also a direct reference to how the women of Storyville were often officially labeled in legal and social records—as “lewd and abandoned” women.

Today, we reclaim those words with pride, flipping a once-dismissive term into a badge of resilience and empowerment.

🖤 Designed with Storyville Swagger

Printed in vintage-style white script on black cotton, this shirt makes a statement without shouting. It’s elegant enough to pair with your favorite denim jacket, yet playful enough for a French Quarter bar crawl.

Soft, breathable cotton
Unisex sizing
Locally printed
Available in-store and online

Whether you're a local historian, a nightlife connoisseur, or just someone who appreciates a perfectly balanced blend of sass and scholarship, this shirt is for you.

💃 Why It Belongs in Your Closet

Wearing this shirt does more than make you look good—it supports the mission of the New Orleans Storyville Museum. Every purchase helps us continue to preserve, celebrate, and share the real stories of the women, musicians, madams, and misfits who made Storyville legendary.

Plus, let’s face it: it’s the only shirt in town that pairs perfectly with absinthe and a jazz funeral.