This week, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum held a news conference to announce the grand opening of the new Louisiana Civil Rights Museum in New Orleans.
After 30 years in the making, the new State Museum will showcase Louisiana's distinct place in the Civil Rights movement and honor its heroes, illuminating their significant impact. The Museum's design was led by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and inspired by the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. Since 2021, the Louisiana Department of Tourism has announced thirteen new markers around the state, with plans to declare more in the coming months. Civil Rights "pathways" will reveal to visitors how a certain right was denied to Black people in Louisiana and how different forms of activism led to people dedicating their lives to making those rights real.
Complimenting the museum, a downloadable educational program will be made available that will illustrate and narrate the lives of heroes and activists.
The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum will be located in Hall A of the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, and will open to the public on October 8. Admission will be free until October 15 at 4:30 p.m.
