The German-American Cultural Center and Museum tells the stories of the German immigrants who founded Mechanikham in 1836 – the village that became Gretna, Louisiana. Those settlers and their descendants forged Gretna’s history.
All Are Welcome
Willkommen! Welcome!
We are passionate about the German-American experience in the New Orleans area.


News & Events​
We believe in gemĂĽtlichkeit (German for a feeling of warmth, friendliness and good cheer). The Friends of the GACC meet monthly for a social and program, and we roll out our German Beer Garden to celebrate Maifest, Oktoberfest and other events.


Museum
At our Museum, learn about the first Germans who settled in Louisiana in 1721 and the immigrants who followed them to the New Orleans area. Enjoy a display of historic photographs of the families, events and landmarks in Gretna and McDonoghville. Admission is free.


Membership
Join the Friends of the GACC for $20 each year, attend our monthly social programs at the Center and receive our monthly newsletter. Many of our members also serve as volunteers for our special events held during the year. Members’ dues support the operations of our museum. Join us!


Family History
Use our Research Room to learn about your family history. The room has several computers and we maintain subscriptions to the leading genealogy websites. We also have genealogy materials such as local cemetery records.


About Us
A nonprofit organization, the GACC Museum opened in 1999, thanks to support from the National Park Service, political leaders and citizens. Memberships in the Friends of the GACC help fund our museum and activities.


Contact Us
The GACC’s Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, at 519 Huey P. Long Avenue in Gretna. Look for the U.S. and German flags out front! Call us at 504-363-4202 and visit us on Facebook.
Family History Research
Do You Have German Roots In Gretna?




Our Center is collecting names and family histories of the original German immigrants who settled in the West Bank area. Contact us if you can share your family’s past or historic photos of Gretna.
Our research center can help you find your Gretna German roots.
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We Do More Than Festivals
At the GACC, we want to keep our German culture and community alive and vibrant. That means having programs at our membership meetings about the history and culture of our ancestors. We support our community by donating toward church restoration projects, partnering with the City of Gretna for events such as Maifest, and providing a Christmas lunch for Gretna senior citizens. Our members volunteer with organizations such as the Gretna Food Bank and distribute backpacks with essential items for homeless citizens.
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News From GACC
GACC June DinnerMembers Only
Newsletter Release
GACC July DinnerMembers Only
Salem German Heritage Event at the GACC 2023Public
Newsletter Release
Newsletter Release


May 2023 Newsletter
Brats, sauerkraut, pretzels, German beer and music from the Bayou Bavarians — Maifest 2023 was a big success!


April 2023 Newsletter
April newsletter, reminding everyone that our Maifest Beer Garden is coming up on May 13.


March 2023 Newsletter
Our new portable oven is perfect for baking our tasty pretzels. Taste them at our next meeting on April 15!


February 2023 Newsletter
Get your costumes ready for the annual GACC Fasching party on Saturday, February 18.


GACC Fasching Party & February Dinner
Dear Friends, join us on Saturday, February 18, at 6pm for our annual Fasching party, the German Mardi Gras! Dress in your colorful Carnival costumes.