Exploring History & Mass Incarceration in Louisiana
The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is excited to extend the public viewing of its exhibit: "Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration," through February 16, 2025. After much public support and response from visitors, the HNOC decided to prolong the exhibit's opening to ensure that the community can continue to become educated about Louisiana's problem of mass-incarceration.
Exploring the thread between the history of slavery and mass incarceration, "Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration," asks difficult questions regarding the colonial history of America and race-based systems of oppression that continue to permeate our culture today. The exhibit is broken into two parts: first, breaking down and outlining the ways in which systems of governance—legislation, policing, and violence—all harm vulnerable communities, and, second, how these forms of oppression are enshrined in the Louisiana Constitution of 1898. Through historical artifacts and objects, informative texts, and multimedia, the exhibit contextualizes data, facts, and information regarding the past and present to uncover dark truths about what it calls the "Captive State."
The 90-minute "Piecing it Together: A Captive State Tour and Conversation" facilitates conversation and learning between guests and seasoned tour-guides to understand how incarceration impacts local communities today. It costs $5 per guest and takes place on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
The HNOC
Passionate about stewarding the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South, the Historic New Orleans Collection is a fantastic community resource for locals and tourists to enjoy. Consistently providing the city with captivating and interesting exhibits and experiences, admission to the collection is free to most exhibits—including "Captive State"—and reservations to get in are recommended to be made in advance.
Prolonging the exhibit to be open for nearly four more months, visiting the HNOC's "Captive State: Louisiana and the Making of Mass Incarceration," is an informative way to learn more about the heartbreaking history of Louisiana, how past historical faults affect our lives today, and the ways the state can move forward from it's history of oppression.
