La. Guard museums encourage public visits with improved accessibility

By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office 

PINEVILLE, La. — The Louisiana National Guard’s museums, including the Ansel M. Stroud Jr. Military History & Weapons Museum at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, are open to the public and actively encouraging visitors to explore the rich history of Louisiana Citizen Soldiers who “Protect What Matters.” Recent efforts have made accessing the Jackson Barracks Museum more convenient, welcoming the community to discover the LANG’s role in state and national history.

“To share the story of the Louisiana National Guard and foster a positive image within our communities, the Jackson Barracks Museum in New Orleans has been publicly accessible since 1964, with our Pineville museum opening in 1995,” said Beverly Boyko, LANG museum director. “By helping our communities learn more about the Guard’s service, both past and present, we aim to enhance public understanding of Louisiana’s contributions to our state, country, and the value of military service.”

The Jackson Barracks Museum is one of two museum locations operated by the Louisiana National Guard. The second is the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, located at the Louisiana National Guard Training Center in Pineville.

The New Orleans museum showcases the story of Louisiana’s militia beginning with early French settlements and spans key historical milestones, including Spanish involvement in the American Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, statehood, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, both world wars, the Cold War, and the Global War on Terror. In addition to military history, the museum highlights LANG’s contributions to peacetime operations, including responses to natural and man-made disasters.

LANG museums host public events throughout the year, offering unique opportunities to engage with military history. This past fall, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s vintage convoy stopped at the Louisiana National Guard Training Center in Pineville while retracing the historic 1918 Jefferson Highway from the Minnesota border to New Orleans.

Both museums are open to the public, with the Jackson Barracks Museum offering improved access by not requiring visitors to present identification during business hours. The museum is located at Building 4209 Chenault Blvd., Jackson Barracks, between St. Claude and Claiborne Avenues.

“Both museums are open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no admission charge,” said Boyko. “Jackson Barracks is also open the last Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and visits outside those hours can be scheduled by appointment.”

The mission of the LANG museums is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard and the World War II Louisiana Maneuvers. The museums also serve as educational resources for Guardsmen and the public, promoting esprit de corps and fostering a positive public image of the LANG.

Boyko shared one of the most common questions from young visitors: Is it real?

“For today’s digital-minded audience, think of the museums like a website—only analog,” said Boyko. “Instead of a search bar, we have curators and historians who guide you to what you’re looking for and present the most important information. In a world full of digital ‘not real’ things, the museum is full of the real stuff.”

The Louisiana National Guard invites the public to visit these museums and experience firsthand the stories, artifacts, and legacy of Louisiana’s Citizen Soldiers.