Baton Rouge, LA

African American History Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Sadie Roberts-Joseph in the old sanctuary of New St. Luke Baptist Church; Odell Williams provided the founding collection of men and women achiever artifacts; year-round exhibits; Faces of African American men & women achievers, The Continent of Africa (West and Central African art), Rural Artifacts (replicas that link to the past), African American Inventions, a state recognized Juneteenth Archives site

ADMISSION: $4

ADDRESS: 538 South Boulevard  MAP

PHONE: 225-343-4431

Southern University
DESCRIPTION: Pinckney B.S. Pinchback (1837-1921), an African American who became the governor of Louisiana during Reconstruction, and two other Black businessmen led the movement to get this college (now University) chartered in 1880; it may be the largest historically Black university in the world; Southern moved to its current site in 1914, today it encompasses three campuses with more than 16,000 students and an international scholastic reputation; one of the more interesting buildings on Southern's campus is the Archives Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places -- the first building on campus and one that has served as the dean's mansion, dean's office, and a conference center; no description of Southern is complete without mentioning the world renown 170 member Jaguar marching band -- when Southern's football teams have off seasons, people still come to see and hear the band

ADDRESS: Southern University campus  MAP

PHONE: 225-771-4500

WEBSITE: http://web.subr.edu

Southern University Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION: Features eight galleries situated around the museum store as an axis; Four galleries are dedicated to African American art with a masters gallery, Louisiana gallery and a gallery containing the works of the Visual Arts Faculty; admission is free, donations are welcome

ADDRESS: Southern University campus, Martin L. Harvey Hall  MAP

PHONE: 225-771-4513

WEBSITE: http://www.sus.edu/suma

Smith & Brown Monument
DESCRIPTION: A marker commemorating Denver Smith and Leonard Brown who were killed here in 1972 by the Louisiana State Police, while participating in a student demonstration against the Vietnam War

ADDRESS: Southern University campus  MAP

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument
DESCRIPTION: A memorial to the slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands at the city’s main convention center downtown on River Road

ADDRESS: Baton Rouge River Center  MAP

Port Allen, LA

West Baton Rouge Museum
DESCRIPTION: Guided tours of historic sugar plantation life, technology and buildings, and free lagniappe samples of Louisiana raw sugar; See a 22-foot working sugar mill model, an1850 Allendale Slave Cabin and 1830 Aillet House, and a French-Creole plantation “Big House”

ADDRESS: 845 North Jefferson Avenue  MAP

PHONE: 225-336-2422

WEBSITE: http://www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

Donaldsonville, LA

River Road African American Museum & Gallery
DESCRIPTION: Located next to the town’s largest oak tree, it contains memorabilia relevant to the centuries old presence of African Americans in the region, including many artifacts from the plantations along the River Road, such as lists of people enslaved, inventors and entrepreneurs; feature exhibits include Monde de Colour Libre, African influences on Louisiana cuisine, the rural roots of Jazz and much more; arguably the best time to visit is during Juneteeth Freedom Festival when a vast range of family cultural activities are co-sponsored by the museum in Donaldsonville

DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sat 10a-5p; Sun 1a-5a

ADMISSION: $4

ADDRESS: 406 Charles Street  MAP

PHONE: 225-474-5553

WEBSITE: http://www.africanamericanmuseum.org