Mission
The LSU Rural Life Museum’s objective is to fulfill its mission by establishing and maintaining a center open to the general public and dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the lower Mississippi River Valley and Louisiana’s material culture, cultural landscapes, and traditional architecture. The museum’s primary focus is how people of the working classes lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Additionally, the museum offers educational programs and research facilities, which contribute to a deeper comprehension of the material and cultural legacy of the area.
Purpose
The objective is to raise public understanding of the ancestors’ history and way of life, their struggles, toils, vision, inspiration, and fortitude by preserving some of the structures and artifacts from their rural past. The goal is to increase people’s familiarity with their heritage so they may better appreciate how their forebears lived.
The extensive collection of buildings and artifacts offers a glimpse into the many cultural practices that are part of Louisiana’s history. Steele Burden not only embraced and lived on the land, but his sister, Ione, and brother, Pike, offered it for people to enjoy for years to come. The LSU Rural Life Museum is a dream come true for the memory of Steele Burden concluded that the primary reason tourists traveled to Louisiana was to visit New Orleans and the sprawling plantation homes along the River Road. On the other hand, Mr. Burden believed that the fascinating area of the plantation was located behind the main house.
Those who go to the LSU Rural Life Museum will get a glimpse of what early settlers in Louisiana experienced throughout the 18th and 19th centuries when they lived in rural areas. The many cultures linked with Louisiana throughout their state’s extraordinary history are reflected in the historic outbuildings around their state.
The Working Plantation Section includes a Pigeon Cote, a comprehensive collection of Outhouse’s, a Post Office, a Commissary, an Overseer’s House, an Open-Hearth Kitchen, Slave Cabins, a Sick House, a Blacksmith’s Shop, Sugar House, School House, and a Sugar House.
The Folk Architecture Section includes a Split-Cypress Barn, a Country Church, a Pioneer’s Cabin with a Corn Crib and Potato House, a Shotgun House, a Dogtrot House, a Log House, a Log Barn, and a Jail. Additionally, there is a Log House, a Log Barn, and a Jail.
The Exhibit Barn has several different exhibitions focusing on Louisiana’s cultural and historical legacy. The Plantation South, Slavery, Creoles, Yeoman Farmers, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Industrial Revolution are topics covered in the museum’s exhibitions.
The Exhibit Barn also has many items that illustrate the lifestyles of early residents of Louisiana. In addition to various agricultural tools and equipment, the museum is home to a substantial collection of horse-drawn vehicles from the 19th century.
School Field Trips
Any learner of any age may find all they need right here! Classes in the third grade and upwards can request a docent-led tour at least two weeks before their scheduled visit. Self-guided tours are offered to elementary and middle school pupils, and teachers or other adults accompany the groups to act as chaperones. The students will have a great time while gaining valuable knowledge while being in a beautiful and secure environment.
The LSU Rural Life Museum is a resource that may enrich classroom instruction in social studies, cultural arts, mathematics, and science. The museum has an area formerly a plantation in the 19th century, a section on Folk Architecture, an Exhibit Barn, 32 ancient buildings, and hundreds of relics that illustrate the rural way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take pictures?
Taking still pictures, videotapes, and audiotapes is allowed, but only for personal use; they are not authorized to be published or utilized for commercial purposes.
Can I picnic on the grounds?
Picnicking is not permitted anywhere on the grounds of the LSU Rural Life Museum, including Windrush Gardens, and this includes the museum itself.
Can I bring my dog?
A government service provides this. Inside, dogs are permitted. Other animals, other than those that could be used for photo shoots under certain conditions, are not allowed on the grounds of the LSU Rural Life Museum or at Windrush Gardens. For you to bring your dog to a photo session, it must be on a leash at all times, have a separate person acting as their handler, be there just for the photos they are required for, and any clutter has to be put in order. A separate person must also serve as your dog’s handler
On the condition that they are always kept on a leash, pets are welcome on the property section known as Trees and Trails. Pet handlers working during a photographic session are welcome to take their dogs for a stroll through the Trees and Trails area after the dogs’ services are no longer required for the session.
Is the LSU Rural Life Museum handicap accessible?
Guests who want further assistance are encouraged to visit the LSU Rural Life Museum. All museum areas, including the Exhibit Barn, Gift Shop, and Restrooms, are entirely accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs. Their Exhibit Barn has indoor exhibitions that showcase a wide variety of antiques that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Wheelchairs and one motorized scooter are provided free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, and only one is available.
Parking for people with disabilities and elderly citizens is offered next to the Exhibit Barn of the Museum.
Wheelchair users may visit fifty percent of the old outbuildings on the property. Because the buildings and passageways are accurate to the 18th and 19th centuries, their visitors may be subject to some limitations.
You will see the option to request exceptional help at the Admissions Desk.
Are the sunflowers in bloom?
The LSU Botanic Gardens, the LSU Rural Life Museum, and Windrush Gardens are all located on the same piece of land. The ground area that the Botanic Gardens owns includes fields with wildflowers and fields with sunflowers.
Visit Their Site or Dial (225) 765-2437 for More Details.