In December, President Bush, President Jacques Chirac of France and King Juan Carlos of Spain are all expected to attend the Bicentennial ceremony of the Louisiana Purchase signing at the Cabildo.
Louisiana State Museum’s new exhibit commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase will show the events leading up to and following the historic event.
The special exhibit, “One Nation Under God: The Church, the State, and the Louisiana Purchase,” will be incorporated into the already existing exhibit on the Louisiana Purchase at the Cabildo’s Sala Capitular (Capitol Room), which is where the Louisiana Purchase transfer was signed on Dec. 20, 1803.
The Catholic church had a profound influence in government and local affairs in the territory of Louisiana before 1803.
Following the Louisiana Purchase, the church’s role was altered, especially with the emergence of Protestant churches in the state.
The exhibit shows the history of the Catholic church in the state and how its strong influence on the people changed following the Louisiana Purchase.
“The museum curators thought it would be interesting to tell the story on the major impacts that the Louisiana Purchase had on the Catholic church,” Steve Schulkens, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the museum, said.
Rare and important artifacts will be on display at the exhibit, such as colonial-era textiles, including an 18th century antependium (altar cloth), used in Saint Louis Cathedral, woven from gold and silver threads.
There also will be original portraits of many church officials
“The Louisiana Purchase was a pivotal point in our nation’s history ,and the Bicentennial celebration offers so much inspiration and history for so many of our citizens and visitors,” Lt. Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco said. She oversees the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
The Louisiana State Museum’s Cabildo is located at 701 Chartres St., in Jackson Square.
Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students, seniors and the military.
The exhibit opens Oct. 10 and will run through April 18.
