Last updated: 1/29/2011
4524 Virginia Street
Zachary, LA 70791
PO Box 310
Zachary, LA 70791
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Jean Byers
phone: 225-933-3261
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Eight buildings within a two block area comprise this community museum located in the historical downtown area of Zachary, Louisiana, offering a rare picture of neighborhood life in a small town from the waning years of the 19th century through the 1960's. Three dwellings, a barn, a carriage house,a pavilion, a Railroad Depot and the Old Town Hall with an adjacent fire house provide the setting for a leisurely walk down "Main Street USA". Wtihin view are several more (private) dwellings, the old movie theater, and the Zachary Bank, completing this "Currier & Ives" snapsot of Americana. Visit daily, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and at other times by appointment.
The museum began its development when a prominent family donated the first of the eight buildings about 1975. The city of Zachary assumed the administration of the museum, and soon expanded the museum facility by reconstructing a barn (about 1980) near its original location, and acquiring two other dwellings and a carriage hosue. By 1990, the City of Zachary had turned over the Old Town Hall building to the museum, constructed a pavilion, and had acquired the depot to complete the collection of buildings. An additional home called the Annison House which was constructed about 1813 and modified in the mid-1800's, was donated to the museum by heirs of its last owners, and it is being restored for opening in 2010. The City of Zachary is located near the southern-most section of a region known as "The Plains", an area that figures prominently in the early history of Louisiana during such important events as the English and Spanish occupations, the West Florida Rebellion, and the Civil War. The museum is assuming a prominent role in the collection and interpretation of the history of the Plains area.
Museum collections include period household furnishings; period public building furnishings; textiles and clothing; cotton industry artifacts and machinery; folk art and cultural artifacts; transportation and educational artifacts.
The museum holds an extensive archival collection of land documents and genealogical information.
The museum works creatively with classroom teachers, librarians, and home schoolers to build exhibts to correlate to classroom activities and curriculum guidelines. Museum staff may be available to offer support and lectures for classes. We offer guided tours and activities, a pre-visit study guide, and a post-visit evaluation/quiz. Most such loans and activities are free of charge; some may have a refundable deposit.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
Quarterly newsletter to members; annual report to administration, public and members.
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