Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana

More than just a building, the Louisiana State Museum is a complex of national landmarks and a collection of wonderful artifacts and art that tell the story of the history of the state and the culture of those who dwell within its borders.

This museum includes five main properties that are all located in the French Quarter: The Cabildo, Presbytere, 1850 House, Old U.S. Mint, and Madame John’s Legacy. In addition, the Louisiana State Museum operates facilities in other parts of the state as well.

?    The Cabildo – The centerpiece of the Louisiana State Museum, this is the building where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. Built in the late 1700s, it was the seat of the Spanish government during the time that country ruled New Orleans. It has also been home to the Louisiana Supreme Court and was established as a museum in 1911 but was severely damaged in a fire in 1988. It was authentically restored and now houses an exhibit on early Louisiana history.

?    Presbytere – Built on the site that was once a residence (or presbytere) of a sect of Capuchin monks, this building echoes the style of The Cabildo. It was used for commercial purposes for about 40 years and then became a courthouse in 1834. It houses a variety of changing exhibits.

?    The 1850 House – Inspired by Parisian architecture, this grand building belonged to the Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba. The building was designed to house both residences and retail shops. As part of the museum, it was furnished to resemble homes of that era and includes period pieces that represent New Orleans’ most prosperous time.

?    Old U.S. Mint – Built in 1835, this was both a U.S. and a Confederate Mint. It is Greek Revival in style and has been a museum since 1981. Previous to that, it served as a Mint off and on until 1909 and then housed various government offices until the 1950s. Today, it is open to researchers and also hosts films or traveling exhibits.

?    Madame John’s Legacy – This National Historic Landmark is considered one of the best preserved 18^th century complexes in New Orleans. It is a good example of Louisiana Creole design and consists of three building: the main house, the cook’s kitchen, and the garconniere – a so-called “bachelor’s apartment”. The main house is the only part of the structure open to the public.

Additional properties in New Orleans that are part of the Louisiana State Museum include:

?    The Arsenal – Built in 1839 by James Dakin, the Arsenal became part of the museum in 1915 but was restored in the early 1990s and reopened to the public in 1994. Today, there are special exhibits on the first two floors and public programs are held on the third floor.

?    Jackson and Creole Houses – Typical structures from the antebellum period, these homes can be admired from the outside but are not open to the public for tours. They currently house the offices of the Friends of the Cabildo, a support organization of the Louisiana State Museum.

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