Entree Louisiane!

Magnificent Museums

Downtown Baton Rouge Has Six Great
Museums All Within Walking Distance

By Christiana Johns

Summer is the most common time to travel and explore new locales, but when we actually have time to experience what the world has to offer we seldom realize the treasures we have right at home.

Have you seen the gun allegedly used to assassinate Gov. Huey Long at the Old State Capital, or know why the USS Kidd was awarded 12 battle stars in the Pacific during WWII and the Korean Conflict? Have you watched a show at the planetarium or seen the Egyptian mummy at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum (LASM)?

If you haven’t seen these fascinating exhibits, summer is the perfect time to visit the six museums in downtown Baton Rouge all within walking distance of each other that are rich with the history and culture of Louisiana and the Capital City.

As an added bonus, four of the museums – USS Kidd, Old State Capital, Louisiana Art and Science Museum and LSU Museum of Art – are all free on the first Sunday of every month.

Here is a little information about each one of these great museums:

USS Kidd Historic Warship and Veterans Memorial

This WWII destroyer has been docked in the Mississippi River since May 23, 1982 and has been a Baton Rouge landmark ever since. The USS Kidd is the only destroyer in the world preserved to its WWII configuration and only one of three such vessels that have been preserved as museums in the United States. This makes the Kidd an asset not only to Baton Rouge, but also the world!

As you tour the ship find out why it was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd. Allow yourself to experience what it was like living on a battleship by walking through more than 50 of the inner spaces such as the living quarters and mess hall. Walk across the deck where a Kamikaze aircraft crashed directly into the Kidd in Okinawa, Japan, in WWII.

For you land lovers, the museum and nautical center houses the largest collection of model ships in the South. Take a moment to pay tribute to our honorable Louisiana veterans at the Louisiana Memorial Plaza where an eternal flame burns for more than 7,000 names of Louisianans who died in service to our country.

This summer the Kidd will host an Independence Day celebration on July 4. Beginning at noon, there will be food and drink booths, live music, a fly over by an F-15 Eagle jet aircraft, and a mock battle between WWII aircraft and the Kidd. The night will end with a fireworks display on the Mississippi River.

Louisiana Art and Science Museum & Irene W. Pennington Planetarium

After a visit to the Kidd, a short stroll along the levee will bring you to your next destination. LASM lies within the historic train depot on the banks of the Mississippi River. It encompasses a permanent art collection of American and European paintings from the 18th through 20th centuries, a Southern art collection of Louisiana artists from 1900-1950.

This museum is also home to one of the few Egyptian tomb exhibits in the South. Visitors pass through a re-created tomb from 300 B.C. to see a 3,200-year-old mummy surrounded with artifacts to carry into the afterlife.

On display through July 15 is “Five Thousand Years of Chinese Ceramics from the Robin and R. Randolph Richmond, Jr. Collection” on loan from the New Orleans Museum of Art. This exhibit displays 70 pieces from a collection of over 300 from Chinese potters from the Neolithic Period c. 4,000 B.C. through the Yuan Dynasties c. AD 1400. These pieces are more than beautiful plates and bowls; the exhibit includes a display of monumental tomb objects and animal sculptures.

Beginning on July 25, the museum will feature a new exhibit titled “Enduring Visions: Landscapes by New Orleans Artists.” This exhibit is a collection of paintings and photographs that celebrates the distinctive beauty of Louisiana’s landscape in addition to the enduring artistic spirit after Hurricane Katrina.

Continue through the museum to the planetarium where you will be able to find out how much you weigh on other planets and how they orbit the sun. This is more of a hands-on exhibit, which is perfect for children to learn about the solar system while they play. The Exxon Mobil Space Theater constantly has different shows about Earth, the environment, history and more (visit www.lasm.org for shows and schedules).

Old State Capital

Directly across the street from LASM, the Old State Capital has sat on a hill overlooking the Mississippi for more than 150 years. It has withstood fires, wars, fistfights and vicious debates. This beautiful statehouse became a political history museum in 1994 under the direction of Secretary of State W. Fox McKeithen. This national and regional award-winning museum is even free to the public.

As you meander through the different rooms, visit with Louisiana’s past governors and congressional leaders to learn about their contributions to the state’s political landscape and about their personal lives as well.

A life-sized animatronic of Louisiana’s most famous political leader greets you when you walk into the Huey Long exhibit. Listen to the Kingfish tell you about his political ambitions for our state. Learn about the controversy surrounding his assassination and see the gun allegedly used to kill him.

Make your way up the beautiful staircase (don’t forget to look up at the stained glass) to the second floor and see the Senate and House Chamber from 1882. Also see the “We the People” exhibits to learn about how to become politically involved.

LSU Museum of Art

Cross over North Boulevard and visit the Shaw Center for the Arts. The Shaw Center has become a cultural mecca for downtown, housing the LSU Museum of Art, the Manship Theatre, the LSU School of Art Gallery, Tsunami, Capital City Grill and PJ’s Coffee in addition to hosting events like the Art Melt. There’s also a river terrace and a rooftop terrace with some of the best views of the Mississippi River.

LSU MOA has more than 4,000 pieces within their permanent collection that focuses on American, British and, of course, Louisiana art. It has the largest collection of New Orleans-made silverware, an exquisite display of Chinese jade, rare examples of early Louisiana furniture and much more.

The museum hosts many rotating exhibits as well. There is a large collection of Japanese robots on display until October. Opening at the end of May are two more Japanese exhibits: “Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru” which delves into the life of one of the most famous geishas in the 20th century, and “Silk and Samurai: Japanese Prints from the Collection of J. Lucille Evans” which displays representations of Japanese urban life and landscapes.

LSU MOA even hosts summer day camps for children allowing them hands-on experience creating art, playing instruments and participating in the theater.

Louisiana State Museum

Although a bit of a walk from the River, seated directly in front of the new State Capital is the Louisiana State Museum, an absolute must-see for anyone from Louisiana. The entire collection is 100 percent Louisiana and celebrates our significance in history and the unique and vibrant culture unlike any other state.

The first floor consists of all the history – the Louisiana Purchase, the state’s involvement from the Civil War to WWII, politics, etc. – but you will find more here than what you can read out of a textbook. This museum is more than pictures on the wall and old, dusty things in glass cases. There is video footage of Huey Long’s political speeches, original recordings from Louis Armstrong, and an actual shrimp boat that rests in the middle of the room. Explore the history of slavery, agriculture and natural disasters in our state.

Travel up to the third floor to see “The Louisiana Experience: Discovering the Soul of America.” This part of the museum highlights our distinctive pastimes, cuisine and way of life. The exhibit is separated by region. The Southeast region consists of New Orleans’ world-renown food, LSU and Southern tailgating and the capital city. The North displays Louisiana’s lively festivals and Creole and Native American influences, and Acadiana explores Cajun Country.

Two other distinct aspects of Louisiana each have their own exhibits – music and Mardi Gras. Listen to a timeline of music in Louisiana from opera and gospel to jazz and country. Experience what it’s like riding on a Mardi Gras float amid the display of original costumes and trinkets.

Entree!

While taking an adventure outside of Louisiana is exciting and rewarding, don’t forget about all of the magnificent places to see with just a short trip downtown. It is impossible to list all the wonderful things about these museums so check them out for yourself. Take pride in our beautiful state by learning more about its history and culture right here at home.

Museum Information

Louisiana Art and Science Museum
Adults $6
Children (2-12), Seniors (65+) $5
Groups (15+) $4 Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Monday

100 South River Road
344-5272
www.lasm.org

U.S.S. Kidd
Ship & Museum:
$ 7.00 - Adults (ages 13+)
$ 6.00 - Seniors (ages 60+)
$ 5.00 - Active Military (with ID)
$ 4.00 - Children (ages 5-12)
FREE - Children (ages 4 & under)

Museum Only:
$ 4.00 - Adults (ages 13+)
$ 3.00 - Children (ages 5-12)
FREE - Children (ages 4 & under)

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily
305 South River Road
342-1942
www.usskidd.com

Old State Capitol
Free Admission Monday, by appointment only
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
Sunday - 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

100 North Boulevard at River Road
342-0500
www.sos.louisiana.gov/osc

LSU Museum of Art Shaw Center for the Arts
$8 adults
$6 seniors 65+ and students with I.D.
$4 children 5 to 17
Free for children under 5 and LSU MOA members

Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

100 Lafayette Street
389.7200
www.lsumoa.com

Louisiana State Museum
Adults: $6
Seniors, Students & Active Military: $5
Children under 12 admitted free

Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday - 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

660 North Fourth Street on Capitol Park
342-5414
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us