Louisiana America 250

Bienvenue Lafayette
2025-12-23 09:00 - 2027-05-04 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Cabildo, 701 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116, United States
Bienvenue Lafayette commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 Farewell Tour, when the Revolutionary War hero spent five days in New Orleans. The exhibition features portraits, artifacts, and immersive storytelling that trace Lafayette’s journey from young French nobleman to trusted ally of George Washington—and finally to beloved guest of the nation he helped create.
About this Exhibit:
In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in the American Revolution, embarked on a grand tour of the United States at the invitation of President James Monroe and Congress. The tour, celebrating the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, lasted into 1825. Lafayette, known as the “hero of two worlds” for his role in securing French support for the American cause, was welcomed with enthusiasm across all 24 states. His visit reaffirmed the enduring Franco-American alliance and celebrated shared ideals of liberty and democracy.
Lafayette’s tour was marked by public celebrations, music, and the creation of commemorative items, making him a precursor to modern celebrity. One notable stop was his five-day visit to New Orleans in April 1825, where city officials spared no expense, spending the equivalent of $450,000 to transform the Cabildo into lavish accommodations for Lafayette, symbolizing the city’s growing significance in the United States.

To commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour, the Louisiana State Museum presents Bienvenue Lafayette from April 10, 2025, to May 4, 2027, opening on the exact 200th anniversary of his arrival in New Orleans. The exhibition features artifacts, documents, and works of art from local and national collections, and offers visitors insight into Lafayette’s legacy as a champion of liberty, democracy, and the abolition of slavery. This exhibition deepens the public’s understanding of Lafayette’s impact on both the United States and France and highlights New Orleans’ role in the broader historical narrative.
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.

Visit the El Nuevo Constante Exhibit
2026-01-26 - 2026-04-01 | LA

Frontier of Freedom: Louisiana's Legacy in the American Story
2026-01-31 | Ft. Jesup State Historic Site

Bacchus Parade
2026-02-15 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | LA
The Bacchus Parade starts at the corner on Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas. After a procession through uptown and downtown New Orleans, the Krewe of Bacchus concludes its parade at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the New Orleans riverfront!

Master Gardeners: Down & Dirty Seminar
2026-02-28 | Cypress Bend Resort, 2000 Cypress Bend Pkwy, Many, LA, 71449, United States

Colonial Louisiana and Spain's Contributions to the American Revolution
2026-03-06 09:00 - 2026-03-07 17:30 UTC | LA
Symposium & Reception
Friday, March 6 at 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Central Time

Nunez Community College, 3710 Paris Rd, Chalmette, LA, 70043

Speakers
John L.” Jay” Dardenne – “Why Louisiana Wasn’t Boston, Philadelphia, or Williamsburg.” 53rd Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.

Thomas E. Chåvez, PhD – “Spain’s Grand Strategy in the American Revolutionary War.” Author of Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift; The Diplomacy of Independence: Benjamin Franklin Documents in the Archives of Spain, and, most recently, Revolutionary Diplomacy: Spanish Connections and the Birth of the United States, and former Director of the Palace of the Governors of the Museum of New Mexico.

Stephen L. Kling, Jr., Esq. – is an independent researcher focusing on the western theater of the American Revolutionary War. His books include The Battle of St. Louis, the Attack on Cahokia, and the American Revolutionary War in the West (2017), Cavalry in the Wilderness: Cavalry in the Western Theater of the American Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War (2021), James Colbert and His Chickasaw Legacy (2022) and The American Revolutionary War in the West (2022). Kling was the primary historical consultant for the award-winning House of Thunder documentary on the Battle of St. Louis and guest curator of the American Revolutionary War in the West Museum Exhibit in St. Charles, Missouri. Kling, in collaboration with Kristine Sjostrom from Seville, Spain, has recently published An Underappreciated Victory: Bernardo de Gálvez’s Mississippi River Campaign Against the British in 1779, and is the guest curator for a museum exhibit based on that book at the Louisiana State Cabildo Museum in New Orleans.

Frances Kolb Turnbell, PhD – is an historian of Early America with a specialization in the eighteenth-century Lower Mississippi Valley. She earned her BA in history at Texas A&M University and her MA and PhD at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of Spanish Louisiana: Contest for Borderlands, 1763-1803 (LSU Press, 2024). She is the editor of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. She is published in the Journal of Louisiana History and is a contributor to Atlantic Environments and the American South, as well as The American Revolutionary War in the West (2022). She teaches at the University of North Alabama.
Kristine L. Sjostrom – is an independent researcher from Seville, Spain. In 2022, she published Fernando de Leyba (1734-1780): A Life of Service and Sacrifice in Spanish Louisiana. Kristine has participated, collaborating with her research and articles, in several publications, conferences and expositions about the American Revolutionary War in the Mississippi River Valley, including The Battle of St. Louis, the Attack on Cahokia and the American Revolutionary War in the West (2017); Unveiling Memories (2019); The Militiamen of St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve (2020); Cavalry in the Wilderness: Cavalry in the Western Theater of the American Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War (2021); Blancos, Pardos y Morenos: Cinco siglos de americanos de España en el Ejército (2024) and the American Revolutionary War in the West conferences held in St. Charles, MO, in 2023 and 2024. Her latest collaboration with Stephen L. Kling, Jr., is An Underappreciated Victory: Gálvez’s Mississippi River Campaign of 1779 (2026).

Tim Seiter – is an assistant professor of history at the University of Texas at Tyler, specializing in colonial Texas with an emphasis on Spanish and Native histories. He recently put the finishing touches on his first book, Wrangling Pelicans (University of Texas Press), which explores daily life in eighteenth-century Tejas. Dr. Seiter has also written extensively about the Karankawa Indians of the Gulf Coast; his work on these peoples has appeared in Texas Monthly, the Texas Tribune, and Texas Highways.
Michael Nolden Henderson – “Got Proof! The Intersection of Slavery and Freedom in Spanish Colonial Louisiana During the American Revolution.” Michael Nolden Henderson, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy retired, is a family history researcher, lecturer, and author. He has documented his Native American, French, French Canadian, African, and German-Swedish ancestry as far back as 1657, using Spanish and French records from numerous research depositories in Louisiana. Michael is the author of Got Proof! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation, which explores the complex social structure of French and Spanish Louisiana, and uncovers the forbidden relationships that evolved into the unique Louisiana Creole culture. Most recently, Michael was a featured presenter at the “HispanoAmerica: A Shared Future” conference in Madrid, Spain, where he contributed vital information about the significance of Spain’s involvement in the American Revolution and the pivotal impact made on his family by the intervention of General Bernardo de Galvez in the liberation of his fourth-generation great-grandmother Agnes. He is a past-president of the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

Bradford Waters, MD – “Born for Greatness: The Gálvez Family of Macharaviaya, Spain.” Dr. Waters retired as a Captain from the U.S. Navy and was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He became fascinated with the Spanish role in the American Revolution while serving at the Naval Hospital Pensacola in the 1990s and the Puerto Castilla, Honduras base in 2004. His research has taken him to battlefields in Honduras, Nicaragua, Spain, Gibraltar, the Bahamas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Michigan.

Stephen Estopinal – “Using Historical Fiction to Tell the Story of the Canary Islanders and Spanish Colonial Louisiana.” Author of a series of historical fiction novels set in Colonial Louisiana, including Escape to New Orleans and Pensacola Burning.

Ray Berthelot – “Remnants of Spain’s Colonial Heritage in Louisiana.” Chief of Interpretive Services and Historic Sites District Manager at the State of Louisiana, Office of State Parks, and adjunct instructor at Baton Rouge Community College.

Remembering Louisiana Maneuvers & Victory Belles Concert
2026-03-07 | Zwolle Festival Grounds, 1100 S Main St, Zwolle, LA, 71486, United States

A Spanish Gala Celebrating Bernardo de Galvez
2026-03-07 19:00 - 22:30 UTC | Cabildo, 701 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116, United States
The Louisiana Museum Foundation invites you to celebrate the opening of Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution, a major new exhibition opening March 8, 2026, at The Cabildo, exploring Louisiana’s pivotal role in the Revolutionary era under Spanish rule. Join us for the Spanish Gálvez Gala, a festive night at the historic Cabildo honoring this landmark exhibition and America’s 250th anniversary, set within the world of late 18th-century Spanish Colonial Louisiana. Formal attire inspired by 18th-century Spanish Colonial Louisiana
Historical costume welcomed; black tie preferred
The exhibition Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution, at the Cabildo showing Louisiana’s decisive but often overlooked role in the Revolutionary era. Under Spanish Rule, the strategic placement of the bustling port of New Orleans made Louisiana central to intelligence gathering, military action, and diplomacy that shaped the outcome of the war. From crucial port, Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez coordinated covert support to the Continental Army and later led a diverse coalition of free people of color, Native allies, Acadian refugees, enslaved Africans, and Creole and Spanish settlers to a series of stunning victories against British forces.

Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution
2026-03-08 09:00 - 2027-05-15 16:00 UTC | The Cabildo, 710 Chartres, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States
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.

Many High School Band America 250 Celebration Concert
2026-03-10 | Many Community Center

2026 John Breaux Symposium
2026-03-20 08:00 - 13:30 UTC | Lod Cook Alumni Center, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, United States
The 2026 John Breaux Symposium will explore “American Media at 250,” honoring the Declaration of Independence anniversary.
The 2026 John Breaux Symposium—the Reilly Center’s signature annual event—will tackle the theme of “American Media at 250” — a nod to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.This year’s program will feature national voices and innovative scholars who will examine how media has informed and influenced civic life over the past two and a half centuries and what that history can teach us about today’s media landscape. While celebrating this major national milestone, this event will also explore challenges and opportunities facing the country moving forward.
Topics to be explored include:
• The press and political communication then and now — from America’s Founding era to today
• Fake news in American history
• Social media, local news, civil discourse, and polarization
• Navigating the minefield of a fragmented media environment
• The emergence and influence of independent media
The 2026 John Breaux Symposium will encourage thoughtful dialogue about the role of media in American democracy — past, present, and future.

American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition
2026-03-20 09:30 - 2027-01-17 16:30 UTC | The Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal St., New Orleans, LA, LA 70130, United States
Immerse yourself in interactive 3-D reconstructions of the defining moments of the American Revolution in a new exhibition designed and produced by Histovery, a French technology firm. Using a HistoPad, travel to Boston for a tea party, Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence, Yorktown to declare victory, and, of course, Versailles to sign a treaty. Along the way, meet the diverse cast of thinkers, leaders, soldiers, and everyday men and women that made this incredible story happen.

Ft. Jesup State Historic Site Living History Program
2026-03-21 | Ft. Jesup State Historic Site

Meet the Author: Presentation & Book Signing - Stephen L. Kling, Jr.
2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Louisiana Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70801, United States
Discover the strategy, risk, and brilliance behind one of the Revolution’s most remarkable campaigns with author Stephen L. Kling, Jr.

St. Charles Parish America 250 Committee: Let Freedom Ring
2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | LA
Join the St. Charles Parish America 250 Committee for a special night of music, history, and patriotic pride featuring the world-renowned Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. This special concert will include beloved American classics and patriotic favorites that the whole family can enjoy, honoring our nation’s past, celebrating our present, and looking forward with hope to the future.
This performance at the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Performing Arts Center will inspire, unite, and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in St. Charles Parish. Bring the whole family to an evening of patriotic music you won’t want to miss!

American 250 Tour – Spanish Louisiana & the American Revolution
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-10 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | 1850 House, 523 St Ann St., New Oreans, LA, 70116, United States
Friends of the Cabildo will be conducting tours in April and May in the French Quarter visiting the locations that the Spanish impacted the American Revolution. Guests will learn about the important role individuals from governors to citizens to major impact in the Revolution. The two-hour tour will leave from the 1850 House Museum Store and are family friendly.

Banners 2026 Presents: 250 Years - Historical Panel Discussion
2026-04-25 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Central School, 809 Kirby St, Lake Charles, LA, 70601, United States
In partnership with the City of Lake Charles and the America 250 Commission-Louisiana, we invite you to join us.

Enjoy and engage with this historical reflection on the establishment, journey, and current significance of the United States of America. 250 years since colonist declared their citizenship and allegiance to a domestic government to be run by the people and for the people.

Refreshments will be available. See you in the lobby!

America 250 Crafts with Daughters of the American Revolution
2026-05-09 08:00 - 12:00 UTC | Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA, 70601, United States
Make colonial-themed crafts with local DAR chapters, including corn husk dolls, noise makers, and more!

Echoes of Today: A Sabine Parish Time Capsule
2026-05-21 | Sabine Parish Courthouse
Sabine Parish Courthouse
400 Capitol St # 102, Many, LA 71449

318-256-5880
Visit Event Website

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the community will gather at the courthouse for the dedication and placement of a commemorative time capsule. This capsule will serve as a snapshot of our town at this historic moment, preserving voices, values, and milestones for future generations.
The time capsule will include the winning essay from the America 250 Essay Contest, representing the reflections and hopes of our youth, along with letters and items contributed by town officials, major festivals, civic organizations, and community partners. Together, these contributions tell the story of who we are, what we celebrate, and what we envision for the future.
Sealed and placed at the courthouse, the time capsule symbolizes our shared commitment to history, civic pride, and the enduring spirit of our community. The capsule is intended to be opened in 50 years, offering a future generation a meaningful glimpse into life, leadership, and community spirit during America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Faith & Freedom: Chuck Wagon Gang 90th Anniversary Concert
2026-05-21 17:30 - 20:00 UTC | LA
Join us for a special evening of Patriotic and Gospel music as we celebrate 90 years of music with the legendary Chuck Wagon Gang! This iconic group has been sharing timeless harmonies and uplifting music for generations, and we are excited to welcome them to Sabine Parish for this milestone performance.

FREE ADMISSION, doors open at 5:30 concert begins at 6:00 p.m.

Many Community Center
San Antonio Ave, Many, LA 71449.
318-256-5880

Sail 250 New Orleans
2026-05-28 - 2027-06-01 | Port of New Orleans, 1350 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA, LA 70130, United States
New Orleans will be the first stop as America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New Orleans for a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! Between May 28 and June 1, 2026, we will celebrate America’s Sestercentennial with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world creating a majestic nautical spectacle along the historic Mississippi River. Along with the majestic tall ships flotilla, a diverse array of events, festivities and celebrations will be held across the entire region to educate, entertain and engage audiences from across the country and across all communities. Join us in 2026 for this unforgettable once-in-a-generation event.

America 250 Pop-Up Exhibit
2026-06-12 - 2026-07-04 | Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA, 70601, United States
Explore Louisiana’s unique history and contribution to the American Revolution, sign the “Declaration of Independence”, and celebrate America250 with local DAR chapters.

Louisiana's Saturday Night: Let Freedom Ring Concert
2026-06-27 | Zwolle Festival Grounds, 1100 S Main St, Zwolle, LA, 71486, United States
The St. Charles Parish America 250 Committee invites the community to a special evening of music, history, and patriotic pride as part of our local celebrations for America’s 250th Anniversary. The commemorative concert will feature a set by the world-renowned Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The event’s title sponsors are Dow, IMTT, Shell, and Valero. Additional support has been provided by Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission and America 250 Louisiana Commission.
“This concert is a special opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States,” said Parish President Matthew Jewell. “For 250 years, America has stood as a beacon of liberty, opportunity, and self-government. Through music and reflection, we’ll honor the generations who built this nation and celebrate the enduring spirit that continues to unite Americans today.”
The family-friendly performance will include patriotic favorites, American classics, and historical readings that honor our nation’s past, celebrate our present, and look forward with hope to our future. Tickets cost $25 each and are available for purchase online here. There will be only one performance of this concert, so families are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

Toledo Bend Boat Parade & Fireworks Show
2026-07-04 | Toledo Bend Lake and Cypress Bend Park
Patriotic Boat Parade on Toledo Bend will take place on Toledo Bend Lake, starting at the south end of the lake and ending at Cypress. Decorated boats will travel the lake in a festive, family-friendly celebration of patriotism.

Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival
2026-07-04 | LA
Avoyelles_Arts_Music_Festival_2026 2026 festival holds historic significance as communities across the nation commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary. This year’s event will be a powerful red, white, and blue tribute honoring our nation’s heritage while celebrating the creativity, culture, and community spirit of Avoyelles Parish.
Paragon Casino Resort Festival Grounds
711 Paragon Pl
Marksville, Louisiana 71351

4th of July Children’s Parade
2026-07-04 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Triangle Park, 1900 Pargoud Blvd., Monroe, 71201, United States
Monroe Rotary is thrilled to announce its annual 4th of July Children’s Parade. This year’s festivities promise to be bigger and better than ever, with a host of activities designed for children and families.

The parade will kick off at 9:30 AM on July 4 at Triangle Park. Spectators can look forward to a morning filled with patriotic pride as children from local schools and community groups showcase their creativity by decorating bikes, wagons, and scooters in a delightful display of red, white, and blue.

In addition to the parade, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment throughout the event. Children can express their patriotic colors with free face painting, cool down with juicy watermelon slices, snow cones, and Popsicles, experience tours of emergency vehicles such as firetrucks and ambulances, and enjoy a variety of games to play.

The 4th of July Children’s Parade is a special event that brings together friends, families, and neighbors in celebration of our country’s independence. Everyone is encouraged to come early, find a good spot, and joinin the festivities

Red, White, Blue & You Festival
2026-07-04 14:00 - 21:30 UTC | Lake Charles Event Center, Bord du Lac Drive, Lake Charles, LA, 70601, United States
The City of Lake Charles is planning to host the 34th annual Red, White, Blue, & You festival, including a hot dog eating competition, patriotic concert, live music, food, an Armed Forces salute, and a fireworks extravaganza over the lake on Saturday, July 4.

Town of Many Patriotic Parade
2026-07-05 | Downton Many, Louisiana
Downtown Many, Louisiana

The Town of Many will host a Patriotic Parade in Downtown Many! More information to come on this event.

Stewart Family and Friends God Bless America Concert
2026-07-05 | Many Community Center
You’re Invited!
Join Willie Stewart Family and Friends for a special 4th of July Concert on Saturday, July 5, 2026, at the Many Community Center (Sabine Theater). Doors open at 5:30 and concert begins at 6:30!
Come enjoy a fun night of fellowship, uplifting music, and celebration as we honor America’s birthday with gospel and patriotic favorites.
Admission is free, and all are welcome!
