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.

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.

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.

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.

We the People
2026-06-23 09:00 - 2027-01-02 16:00 UTC | Capitol Park Museum, 660 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802
We the People is a large, immersive media installation by Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Steven G. Smith. At Capitol Park Museum, two giant screens—together about 12 feet high and 36 feet wide—show nearly 200 paired photographs. The images move from rural landscapes to city streets, and from quiet portraits to joyful scenes of people gathering together.
Rather than focusing on major news events, Smith looks closely at everyday life. His photographs reveal small but powerful moments that show what Americans share, even across our differences. The exhibition will also include American flag–themed objects from the Louisiana State Museum’s collection. These objects add another layer to questions about identity, patriotism, and national symbols.

Liberty Tree Dedication
2026-09-10 08:30 - 09:00 UTC | Southdown Cemetery, 151 Library Dr, Houma, LA, 70360, United States
Terrebone Parish invites you to join them as they dedicate a Liberty Tree as part of their commemoration of America 250.

Round the Bend Quilting Show
2026-09-12 | Sabine Council on Aging, 29275 Hwy 191, Many, LA, 71449, United States
Let’s celebrate America’s 250th year with this wonderful and colorful patriotic quilting show!

Spain and the American Revolution Along the Mississippi River
2026-09-25 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA, 70116, United States
In a symposium presented by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) and the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC), join us for lectures, panel discussions, and other activities exploring Spain’s pivotal contributions to the American Revolution.
Opening Session
Welcome RemarksLouisiana in the Spanish Empire
Spanish New Orleans: An Imperial City on the American Periphery, 1766–1803
Reception

Spain and the American Revolution Along the Mississippi River
2026-09-26 09:30 - 18:00 UTC | Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St, New Orleans, 70116, United States
In a symposium presented by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) and the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC), join us for lectures, panel discussions, and other activities exploring Spain’s pivotal contributions to the American Revolution.
Spanish Louisiana’s Strategic Importance for the War

The Expedition Against the English Fort of St. Joseph, Near Lake Michigan
Q&A with the morning’s speakers
Special Session: “Food For Thought” (or lunch on your own)

Comparative Slave Systems under French, Spanish, and British Regimes
Relations Between Spain and Native Peoples
The Creole Vicereine: Felicitas St. Maxent de Gálvez
Q&A with the afternoon’s speakers
Erasure and Recovery
Closing Remarks

2026 Gulf South History & Humanities Conference
2026-10-01 - 2026-10-03 | Natchez Grand Hotel & Suites, 111 N Broadway St, Natchez, MS, 39120, United States
Join us for scholarly fun in Natchez, MS. The 44th Annual Conference, hosted by Midwestern State University, will incude special theme sessions celebrating the America 250 Semiquincentennial in the Gulf South.
