The People’s Tribune

Louisiana Museum Offers New Displays As Season Opens

The Louisiana Area Historical Museum has new displays and a fresh atmosphere as it prepares for the summer season that starts May 26.

New this year, as the city celebrates its 200th anniversary, will be features on Louisiana residents who have made their mark in the world. They include 13th Amendment author John Brooks Henderson, Titanic reporter May Birkhead, Confederate soldier Samuel Minor, philanthropist George Trimble and Father John Cummings, who defied Missouri’s loyalty oath following the Civil War. Another new item is the gift of a large “Louisiana” sign that once was part of the railroad depot at the riverfront.

Many of the exhibits that visitors remember are still showcased, but several have been updated, thanks to the efforts of board members and volunteers. The Hercules Room, which spotlights the company that helped America win World War II, has been reorganized. Displays on local churches, businesses and schools have been given a new look, and the toy collection has been reassembled.

Museum board members and volunteers have spent hours over the winter preparing the facility at 304 Georgia Street.

“We think the additions and the changes we’ve made will really capture the attention of visitors,” said Museum Board President Judy Schmidt. “Even if you haven’t walked through our doors for a while, we urge you to come and see what we have to offer. I think you’ll be amazed at what we have on display.”

Another museum endeavor is returning for its seventh season. The summer programs series schedule is as follows:

*1 p.m. May 30: “Old As a Tree” by Mayor Marvin Brown.

*1 p.m. June 6: “New Bridges to Cross” by Brandi Baldwin.

*1 p.m. June 13: “Many Kinds of Masks” by Eileen Hoffman and Schmidt.

*1 p.m. June 20: “Let’s Go Fishing” by Karen Armstrong.

*3 p.m. June 27: “200 Years and Counting” by Brent Engel.

The museum got its start in 1992 with a handful of history buffs in a tiny room behind the Chamber of Commerce at 107 S. Third.

Experts such as former Mark Twain Boyhood Home curator Henry Sweets and Jim Millan, who was instrumental in the restoration of Champ Clark’s Bowling Green home, Honey Shuck, were called in to offer advice on policies and displays.

Financial contributions helped keep the lights on and artifacts began pouring in. The volume became so great that within two years of opening, the museum was moved to its current location. The building was originally two former retail stores, one that had made and sold hats and another that had offered shoes.

The museum board once considered a proposal to build a new facility away from the downtown, but just didn’t have the heart to move away for its Victorian building in the center of the historic business district. Donations were used several years ago to stabilize the structure, replace one of the original entrances and put in a center stairway. Additional renovations have been made over the winter by board member Trent Meyers, and more work is planned.

The collection has now become so vast that displays must be rotated – just as in big-city museums. But Schmidt says the welcome remains small town.

Comments are closed

Text Description

Text Description

Text Description

Log in | 2017 The People's Tribune