Louisiana Museums

THE OLD ARSENAL -- Baton Rouge

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Arsenal Powder Magazine was constructed in 1838 when it was determined the original was too small and too close to the Pentagon Barracks. The magazine's importance as a military arsenal was reflected its in early U.S. service to the southwest territory, its use as a major staging area for the Mexican War, and its strategic sought-after location during the Civil War.

In 1886 the magazine was returned to Louisiana State University for use as a library and a barn. Since then the Arsenal also served the State Police and the National Guard, prior to its most recent use as a museum. The Arsenal is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM until 4 PM. The admission for adults is $1 and for children is 50 cents; under age 6 are admitted free. Call (225) 342-0401.

THE OLD STATE CAPITOL -- Baton Rouge

Built in 1847 on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Louisiana's Old State Capitol has withstood fire, scandal, bitter debate, abandonment, political entanglements and war to become one of the state's most significant contributions to American architecture.

Important events in its history include:

• Designed and constructed by architect James Harrison Dakin, 1847-1850.
• In 1861, the Louisiana Legislature convened a convention which voted to secede from the Union.
• Seized by Union soldiers in 1862, during the Civil War; accidentially burned while occupied.
• Abandoned for 20 years while the Louisiana seat of government moved to Opelousas, Shreveport and then New Orleans.
• Restored in 1882, and the seat of government is returned to Baton Rouge.
• Impeachment proceedings were brought against Gov. Huey P. Long, the fabled "Kingfish", in its House Chamber, 1929.
• Vacated as the State Capitol in 1932 with the completion of the city's new 34-story Art Deco Capitol Building.
• Designated a National Historic Landmark, 1977.
• Major restoration and rebirth as the Center for Political and Governmental History, 1994.

Visit the museum on Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM, and on Sunday from noon until 4 PM. Closed on Monday from June until March. Adult admission is $4; seniors $3; students $2; children under 6 years old are admitted free. For groups of 20 or more, the admission for adults is $2 and $1 for students. Call (225) 342-0500, or (800) 488-2968.

THE E. D. WHITE HISTORIC SITE -- Labadieville

Situated among sweeping live oaks on the banks of scenic Bayou Lafourche near Thibodaux, the E.D. White plantation home was residence for two of Louisiana's most distinguished political luminaries -- Gov. Edward Douglass White and his son, United States Supreme Court Chief Justice, Edward Douglas White.

The house represents a French Creole "Raised Cottage" design dating from the early 1800's, and includes Greek Revival and other "Anglo" additions. It sits on a six acre tract which also includes a caretaker's cottage, converted today into a visitor's center and office for the museum curator. The grounds have been subject to several archaeological digs and are used for receptions, reenactments, picnics and field trips.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $2 for adults; $1 for children; and children 5 and under are admitted free. Call (504) 447-0915.

THE LOUISIANA COTTON MUSEUM -- Lake Providence

The Louisiana State Cotton Museum opened under the Secretary of State's Office in 1995 to preserve the history and heritage of cotton cultivation and its influence on life in Louisiana. To meet this goal, there are currently four exhibits on display: The History of Cotton; The Impact of Cotton on Westward Expansion; The Impact of Cotton on Society and Culture; and the Impact of Cotton on Economy (technological advances, uses, the New Orleans Cotton Exchange, etc.)

The museum consists of several structures in a rural plantation setting on the banks of Lake Providence. An original farmhouse, circa 1840's, serves as office space for the museum staff, and a new 3,600 square ft. facility has been built to showcase exhibits and feature an audio-visual area. Another structure houses an original Gullet Cotton Gin, circa 1920. In addition, an authentic sharecropper's cabin, has been moved to the site. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. No admission is charged. Call (318) 559-2041.

THE CADDO-PINE ISLAND OIL MUSEUM -- Oil City

Housed in the city's old railroad depot, which was donated by Kansas City Southern Railroad, this museum features an oil derrick donated by Texaco and a variety of early oil field equipment. It was formed in 1969 by a group of citizens dedicated to preserving the historical importance of the area, site of the 1911 "Ferry No. 1" well, one of the world's first over-water discovery wells.

Artifacts include a wooden flow line pipe, an electric motor patented in 1899, a steam-driven fluid pump, pipe tongs and other early equipment. There is also a large collection of early boomtown and gusher photographs. Another part of the museum -- the Caddo Indian Room -- features Caddo Indian relics and arrowheads dating back 10,000 years.

In addition to historic boomtown buildings and outdoor exhibits, a new 12,000 sq. ft. facility has been added for future exhibits. The museum is open from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. There is no admission. Call (318) 995-6845.

THE LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSEUM -- Shreveport

Constructed in 1937 during the Great Depression Era, the Shreveport Exhibit Museum is an Art Deco masterpiece designed by Shreveport architect Edward Neild. It houses a variety of educational frescoes, dioramas, murals and exhibits constructed to be of interest for the entire family. Its 1/8 mile-long rotunda features displays that provide an excellent understanding of Louisiana's history, agriculture, industry and technology.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the museum highlights 22 world-renowned dioramas created from beeswax by its first director, artistic genius Henry B. Wright. Unique among museum structures, the doughnut-shaped building houses exhibits down the middle and on both sides of its long corridors. Showcased at the rotunda's entrance are two gigantic frescoes painted by noted artist Conrad Albrizio; while inside, a large relief map, 49 feet in circumference, depicts Louisiana's typography.

Stretching from the circular portion of the museum are two wings -- the west containing the finest Native American prehistory exhibition in the state, and the east featuring an auditorium with a spacious stage and seating capacity for 330 people. A basement below the east wing houses the J. Ashley Sibley Memorial Archive and archaeological laboratory. Visit the museum Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and weekends from noon to 4 PM. Regular admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students aged 6 to 17. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Admission may be more for special exhibits. Call (318) 632-2020.                

Information provided by Louisiana Department of State.