List of museums in Louisiana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Louisiana is a state in the southern United States, famous for its unique culture, music, and delicious food. It's also home to many interesting museums! These places are like treasure chests, collecting and taking care of cool objects from history, art, science, and culture. They let you explore and learn about all sorts of amazing things.

This list will help you discover some of the best museums in Louisiana, perfect for curious kids like you!

Awesome Museums to Explore
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Awesome Museums to Explore

Louisiana has museums for every interest, from ancient history to modern art and exciting science. Here are some highlights:

Science and Children's Museums

Alexandria T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum in Alexandria: A fun place where kids can learn through play and hands-on activities.
Children's Museum of Acadiana in Lafayette: Another fantastic spot for interactive learning and discovery for young minds.
Lafayette Science Museum in Lafayette: Explore space, geology, and meteorites. They even have a planetarium to gaze at the stars!
Louisiana Children's Discovery Center in Hammond: Full of hands-on exhibits that make learning about science and the world exciting.
Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum in Monroe: Offers many interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity in children.
Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport: Dive into science and math with hands-on exhibits, a space planetarium, and a giant domed IMAX Theater.

History and Culture Museums

Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette: Learn about the fascinating journey of the Acadians (Cajuns) and other local people who settled in Louisiana. It's part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
Acadian Museum in Erath: Discover the heritage of the Acadian and Cajun people in Louisiana.
Acadian Village in Lafayette: An open-air museum where you can see what life was like in an old Acadian village, complete with historic houses and a blacksmith shop.
Alexandre Mouton House in Lafayette: Step back in time in the 19th-century home of Louisiana's 9th governor, Alexandre Mouton.
Angola Museum in Angola: This museum shares the history of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, offering a look into a unique part of the state's past.
Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville: Visit Oakley Plantation, where famous artist John James Audubon once stayed and painted birds.
Bayou Teche Museum in New Iberia: Explore the history, culture, food, and music of the Bayou Teche area.
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens in Monroe: This unique museum includes the Biedenharn mansion, a Coca-Cola Museum (where Coca-Cola was first bottled!), a Bible Museum, and beautiful gardens.
Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge: Learn all about Louisiana's rich history, industries, and diverse cultures. It's a branch of the Louisiana State Museum.
Chitimacha Museum in Charenton: Discover the heritage and culture of the Chitimacha, one of Louisiana's Native American tribes.
Delta Music Museum in Ferriday: Celebrate the local musicians who made their mark in Louisiana's music scene.
Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan: Visit an old plantation home with people dressed in historical costumes showing what life and crafts were like long ago.
E. D. White Historic Site in Thibodaux: Explore the 19th-century home of two important Louisiana politicians.
Evergreen Plantation in Wallace: A mid-19th-century plantation that includes 22 slave quarters, offering a look into a difficult but important part of history.
Fort Jesup State Historic Site in Many: See a fort used in the early 19th century to protect the United States border with Spain.
Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site in Natchitoches: A restored 18th-century military outpost and trading center.
Frogmore Plantation in Ferriday: A working cotton plantation where you can see restored farm buildings and learn about cotton farming.
German-American Cultural Center and Museum in Gretna: Learn about the contributions of German immigrants to Louisiana's history and culture.
Gretna Historical Society Museum in Gretna: A complex with local history exhibits, a 19th-century Creole cottage, and even a fire museum in a historic firehouse.
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow: A beautiful mid-19th-century plantation house and gardens.
International Petroleum Museum and Exposition in Morgan City: Also known as the Rig Museum, this place teaches you about the offshore oil and gas industry, and you can even tour an oil rig!
Kent Plantation House in Alexandria: See a historic house that shows French, Spanish, and American influences.
Laura Plantation in Vacherie: A 19th-century Créole-style plantation with its main house and outbuildings, including six slave quarters.
Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville: Features a reproduction of an 1800s Acadian farmstead and the 1815 Maison Olivier plantation home.
Louisiana History Museum in Alexandria: Covers state and local history.
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield: Learn about important Louisiana politicians and see their memorabilia.
Louisiana State Cotton Museum in Lake Providence: A museum complex that shows what cotton farming was like, with a planter's house, a sharecropper's cabin, and other historic buildings.
Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport: Explore Louisiana's history and culture through various exhibits.
Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum in Oil City: Learn about the oil and gas industry in the area and the history of the Caddo Indians.
Louisiana Orphan Train Museum in Opelousas: Tells the story of children who traveled by "Orphan Train" from New York to Louisiana between 1873 and 1929.
LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge: An open-air museum with 19th-century plantation buildings, different types of Louisiana homes, and a barn full of old tools and household items.
Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge: An early 19th-century plantation house and its surrounding buildings.
Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield: A museum and preserved site of the American Civil War Battle of Mansfield.
Marksville State Historic Site in Marksville: See ancient Indian mounds and learn about prehistoric cultures.
Melrose Plantation in Melrose: An 1830s plantation built by and for free Black people.
Museum of Political History in Baton Rouge: Located in the Old Louisiana State Capitol, this museum explores Louisiana's political past.
Museum of the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville: Focuses on Acadian culture and their migration to Louisiana.
National Hansen's Disease Museum in Carville: This museum is located at a former sugar plantation that became a hospital for people with leprosy.
Nottoway Plantation in White Castle: A grand 1859 plantation mansion.
Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie: A beautiful 19th-century sugar cane plantation famous for its stunning alley of oak trees.
Oakland Plantation in Natchitoches: Part of Cane River Creole National Historical Park, this is a mid-19th-century plantation.
Old Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge: A historic building that now houses the Museum of Political History.
Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Plaquemine: Learn about a historic canal lock and its importance in transportation.
Port Hudson State Historic Site in Port Hudson: A museum and the site of the longest siege in American history during the Civil War.
Poverty Point State Historic Site in Pioneer: Explore ancient prehistoric mounds and a museum about the people who built them.
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice: Discover Cajun history, language, music, food, and farming. It's also part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville: Celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in Louisiana.
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville: A beautiful 19th-century plantation.
Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum in Abbeville: See what a 1920s blacksmith shop was like.
San Francisco Plantation in Garyville: An 1850s plantation house.
Shadows-on-the-Teche in New Iberia: A lovely 19th-century plantation home and gardens.
Southdown Plantation House in Houma: A 19th-century sugar manor house that also hosts the Terrebonne Museum, with exhibits on local history and Native American culture.
St. Joseph Plantation in Vacherie: Another 19th-century plantation to explore.
TABASCO Pepper Sauce Museum in Avery Island: Learn all about the history of the famous Tabasco sauce at the McIlhenny Company.
Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Museum in Marksville: Discover the history and culture of the Tunica-Biloxi Native American tribe, including artifacts from the amazing Tunica treasure.
Vermilionville Historic Village in Lafayette: A living history park that shows what Cajun and Creole life was like between 1765 and 1890.
W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum in Jennings: Step into a 20th-century general store filled with old household items, antique toys, and local crafts.
West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen: Features an 1830s house, plantation cabins, and exhibits on local history.
Winter Quarters State Historic Site in Newellton: An antebellum (before the Civil War) cotton plantation house.

Art Museums

Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette: A vibrant center for contemporary art.
Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria: Features contemporary Louisiana art and folk art from Northern Louisiana.
Baton Rouge Gallery in Baton Rouge: Showcases modern art.
Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles: The city's public art gallery.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum in Lake Charles: Displays local art and history.
Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge: A fantastic place that combines art, science, astronomy, and natural history.
LSU Museum of Art in Baton Rouge: Part of Louisiana State University, located at the Shaw Center for the Arts.
Marlene Yu Museum in Shreveport: Dedicated to the life and works of artist Marlene Tseng Yu.
Masur Museum of Art in Monroe: Focuses on visual arts.
Meadows Museum of Art in Shreveport: Part of Centenary College.
Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum in Lafayette: Part of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with art from Europe, Asia, and America.
R. W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport: A collection of American and European fine art, sculptures, and decorative arts.
Southern University Museum of Art in Baton Rouge and Southern University Museum of Art in Shreveport: Both operated by Southern University, these museums focus on African and African American art.
Zigler Art Museum in Jennings: Features major art movements from the Middle Ages to today.

Military and Transportation Museums

Barksdale Global Power Museum in Bossier City: Located on Barksdale Air Force Base, this museum features military aircraft and historical artifacts, especially from the Eighth Air Force.
Camp Moore Confederate Cemetery and Museum in Tangipahoa: Learn about a Confederate training base from the American Civil War.
Capt. Fletcher E. Adams 357th Fighter Group Museum in Ida: History and memorabilia of the 357th Fighter Group.
Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe: Located at Monroe Regional Airport (Louisiana), this museum covers the history of World War II Selman Army Airfield, General Claire Lee Chennault, and features historic aircraft.
DeQuincy Railroad Museum in DeQuincy: Explore railroad artifacts from various railway companies.
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center in Shreveport: Learn about the history along the Red River and the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Chalmette: The Chalmette Battlefield visitor center has exhibits about the famous Battle of New Orleans.
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum in Madisonville: Discover the maritime history of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, including boats, lighthouses, and Civil War history.
Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum in Abbeville: Honors Louisiana veterans, especially those from World War II.
Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum in Pineville: Located at Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville, this museum tells the history of the Louisiana National Guard.
Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston: Another museum dedicated to military history.
Old Arsenal Museum in Baton Rouge: Learn about a historic powder magazine and the history of the State Capitol grounds.
Shreveport Railroad Museum in Shreveport: Explores the history of railroads in and around Shreveport since 1860.
USS Kidd & Veterans Memorial in Baton Rouge: Tour a real Fletcher class destroyer museum ship!
USS Orleck Naval Museum in Lake Charles: Explore another Gearing|destroyer museum ship.
Vivian Railroad Station Museum in Vivian: A historic depot with displays about local railroad and town history.
Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson: This museum has exhibits on aviation and the cypress lumber industry.

Other Unique Museums

Abita Mystery House in Abita Springs: Also known as the UCM Museum, this place features folk art and unusual collections that are sure to spark your imagination.
Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibsland: Learn about the history of the famous gangsters Bonnie & Clyde.
Cajun Music Hall of Fame in Eunice: See Cajun musical instruments, records, and learn about the legends of Cajun music.
Crystal Rice Plantation in Crowley: Take a tour of a working rice farm, and also visit the Blue Rose Museum (a Creole cottage with collectibles) and Salmon's Classic Car Garage with vintage cars.
Enchanted Mansion in Baton Rouge: A special museum with antique and collectible modern dolls (open by appointment).
Grandmother's Buttons in St. Francisville: A store and museum with amazing antique buttons and fasteners.
H J Smith's Son General Store and Museum in Covington: A historic general store that also serves as a museum of local artifacts and interesting oddities.
Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Museum in Bossier City: Discover the history of Mardi Gras in Louisiana, with costumes and floats.
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles: See incredible Mardi Gras costumes and learn about the Carnival traditions.
Multicultural Center of the South in Shreveport: Features art and cultural exhibits from many different cultures.
Rebel State Historic Site in Marthaville: Celebrates country and folk music performers, history, and instruments.
Slidell Mardi Gras Museum in Slidell: Accessed through the Slidell Museum, this museum showcases Carnival memorabilia like dresses, costumes, and historical scrapbooks.
Stage of Stars Museum in Shreveport: Honors the stars who have performed at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum in Haughton: See mounted animal dioramas and learn about wildlife.
ULM Museum of Natural History in Monroe: Part of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, this museum has exhibits on North Louisiana's natural history, including animals, rocks, fossils, and Native American artifacts.

Resources

Louisiana Association of Museums

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List of museums in Louisiana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.