History & Culture

The six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve represent a treasure trove of south Louisiana's historical and cultural riches. People from nearly every country, ethnic group, language, and religion have come to the lower Mississippi River delta and left traces of their passing.

As author William Faulkner wrote, "The past is never dead. It's not even past." In south Louisiana, the places where history happened are around every corner and down every bayou, and the well-worn skills and traditions of previous generations are revered at the same time they're adapted for life in a new century.

 

 

Sometimes remarkable stories are where you least expect to find them. This simple Civil War headstone at Chalmette National Cemetery marks the final resting place of a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for her country.

 

Curious about the history of the park?

The administrative history for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve includes an overview of the geography, history, and people of the area, the history of each park site and how it became part of the park, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the challenges of managing the park which contains such a variety of sites and themes.