Bayou Lacombe Museum

‍The Bayou Lacombe Museum is an excellent place to learn about the history of the area. Located at 61115 South St. Mary St in Lacombe, LA 70445, the museum's exhibits cover a wide range of subjects. From daily life in Lacombe in 1912 to the Choctaw Indians, the museum has something for every visitor. It also contains fascinating exhibits about the town's first families as well as notable historical figures. Love Museums? Check another one out here.

The Bayou Lacombe Museum originally opened in 1913 as an elementary school. The school was the only elementary school in the area, and without it, children would have had to travel to Mandeville or Slidell for their education. In 1976, the building was renovated and reopened as a museum during the city's bicentennial celebrations and it was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Today, it is an important cultural center for the community of Lacombe, which is known for its crab festival, Mardi Gras parades, All Saints Day Candle Lighting Ceremony, Native American Exposition, and more.

A local event known as "The Blessing of the Graves," started during the early days of the French colonization in Louisiana. The ceremony includes lighting candles, laying of flowers, and remembering loved ones from cemetery to cemetery. Some sources claim that it was introduced to Louisiana by the French Catholics, while others claim it was brought to Louisiana by Benedictine priests. The tradition also fits into the old Choctaw "Feast of the Dead".

The mission of the museum is to educate the public and promote research within the town. The museum supports itself through ticket sales, donations, and fundraisers. Hours of operation are Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 4 pm. On Saturdays, hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults (18+), $2 for seniors and $1 for students (ages seven to 17). Admission is free for children six and under. A membership is also available for families and groups. Be sure to also visit.