(NEXSTAR) -- The Louisiana State Museum has opened a new exhibition at its Presbytère titled "Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society: The Story of the Illinois Clubs." The display chronicles the history of the Original Illinois Club and the Young Men Illinois Club, highlighting their roles in African American social life and community organization. Founded in 1895, the Original Illinois Club is recognized as the oldest African American organization in the world to host a debutante cotillion ball. The exhibition explores how the club provided a space for Black New Orleanians to celebrate their community and exercise constitutional rights during the Jim Crow era, establishing traditions that mirrored and challenged the segregated social structures of the time. The club's founder, Wiley Knight, established the organization in 1895 after working as a Pullman porter. Knight was influenced by his experiences at the Chicago World Exposition, where he learned a dance called the "Chicago Glide." He returned to New Orleans to teach the dance to local youth who were interested in holding a mardi gras ball. The name of the club was chosen to honor the state of Illinois, which symbolized freedom and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln following the Civil War. Pullman porters served as a critical link between Chicago and New Orleans, frequently transporting copies of the "Chicago Defender," a national African American newspaper. This distribution of media kept the local Black community informed about national events and civil rights issues during a period of heavy social restrictions. The exhibition also examines the social climate of the late 19th century, when Black public celebrations were often viewed as a threat by the local white government. Traditional carnival organizations excluded Black participants, who were largely restricted to peripheral roles such as Flambeaux carriers. These individuals used torches to light white parade routes at a time when the city lacked electricity. During the Crow era, Black residents formed their own neighborhood groups and social organizations to ensure they were treated with dignity. While groups like the Black Masking Indians began organizing as early as the 1880s, they lacked legal protection and were often subject to police intervention. The Illinois Clubs provided a more structured environment for adolescent Black citizens to develop social skills and navigate a society that was often unwelcoming. By the mid-20th century, the Original Illinois Club had established a significant social presence, even hosting events in locations that were previously segregated. In 1968, the club utilized the presidential suite of the Roosevelt Hotel for its debutantes. These participants wore elaborate attire, including lace dresses and ostrich feather fans, for balls themed after the old French Opera House. These traditions were established as a parallel to white debutante society, which had existed in the city since 1850. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published.