Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution

Launching at the Cabildo, this landmark exhibition illuminates Louisiana’s decisive yet often-overlooked role in winning American independence. Visitors will discover how Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez led a coalition of Creole and Spanish settlers, free people of color, enslaved Africans, and Native allies to victory along the Gulf Coast by securing the Mississippi River for the Revolutionary cause. Through rare artifacts, interactive media, and stories of Louisiana’s diverse Revolutionaries, the exhibition invites visitors to see our state reflected in America’s founding story.

About this Exhibit: 

As the nation prepares to mark America 250, the Louisiana State Museum presents Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolutions, a landmark exhibition exploring the life and legacy of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and the diverse people of Louisiana who fought for American independence.

From Acadian exiles and free Black militiamen to Indigenous leaders and Canary Island settlers, Gálvez marshaled a multicultural army that helped secure the Gulf Coast against British forces and shaped the outcome of the American Revolution. Rare artifacts, immersive media, and personal stories will illuminate how New Orleans became a critical hub of strategy, supplies, and diplomacy during the fight for liberty.

This exhibition offers visitors a powerful opportunity to see the American Revolution through a local, inclusive lens—recognizing Louisiana’s essential role in the nation’s founding story.

More on Louisiana State Museums

As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Louisiana State Museum joins the national America 250 and Louisiana America 250 commemorations—celebrating the people, places, and ideals that shaped our nation’s founding. Through two major exhibitions at the Cabildo and a series of partner events, we honor Louisiana’s unique contributions to the fight for independence and to the democratic ideals that still define us today.