Our Story

On May 5, 1885, a group of civic-minded African American residents of the village of Mandeville, led by the late Olivia Eunio, created the Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Association. A decade later, the organization laid a cornerstone and, in 1895, constructed a small wooden building on Lamarque Street in what is now Old Mandeville, 3 1/2 blocks from Lake Pontchartrain.

The Association, like many created among African American residents following the end of the Civil War, had chiefly benevolent goals—to care for the sick with food and attention, to provide help in funeral arrangements, to provide food for the needy, and temporary housing—all during a period when black residents could not obtain various types of insurance.

The hall on Lamarque Street, unpainted and nestled in a grove of ancient live oaks, is now considered the world’s oldest virtually unaltered rural jazz dance hall. It was built in the same year that scholars agree was the birth year of traditional jazz in New Orleans.

On May 5, 1885, a group of civic-minded African American residents of the village of Mandeville, led by the late Olivia Eunio, created the Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Association. A decade later, the organization laid a cornerstone and, in 1895, constructed a small wooden building on Lamarque Street in what is now Old Mandeville, 3 1/2 blocks from Lake Pontchartrain.

The Association, like many created among African American residents following the end of the Civil War, had chiefly benevolent goals—to care for the sick with food and attention, to provide help in funeral arrangements, to provide food for the needy, and temporary housing—all during a period when black residents could not obtain various types of insurance.

The hall on Lamarque Street, unpainted and nestled in a grove of ancient live oaks, is now considered the world’s oldest virtually unaltered rural jazz dance hall. It was built in the same year that scholars agree was the birth year of traditional jazz in New Orleans.

UpcomingEvents

Palmetto Bug Stompers

Saturday, SEP 28th @ 6:30 to 9:00 pm

The Palmetto Bug Stompers are one of the finest purveyors of traditional New Orleans jazz, having gotten their start on the vibrant local street scene years ago. With a wide and varied background of musical influences, the Bugs get the crowd up and make ’em swing. They’ve performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, and Lincoln Center’s Mid-Summer Night Swing. They are a favorite of Lindy Hop dancers, performing at many of their showcases across the country and beyond.

The News

We are honored to have been featured in a few publications over the years. Check out some of those articles!

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New gospel choir shakes the old Dew Drop’s timbers

Hearing the new Northshore Gospel Choir’s debut performance at the Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall this month felt like going to Sunday morning church on a Saturday night. A listener felt both blessed by the music and compelled to jump up and move, which is what most folks