Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Encyclopedia
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve protects significant examples of the rich natural and cultural resources of Louisiana
's Mississippi River Delta
region. The park, named after Jean Lafitte
, seeks to illustrate the influence of environment and history on the development of a unique regional culture. The park consists of six physically separate sites and a park headquarters.
culture of the Lafayette area:
The Barataria Preserve, at 6588 Barataria Boulevard in Marrero
, interprets the natural and cultural history of the region.
The preserve has trails and canoe tours through bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, and marsh. Additionally, there is an Education Center providing curriculum-based programming for school groups and a visitor center providing a film and exhibits.
, six miles (10 km) southeast of New Orleans
, is the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery
, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans
and the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam.
, is the park's visitor center
, interpreting the history of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. The park headquarters is also located in New Orleans.
Chalmette Monument and Grounds was established on March 4, 1907; transferred from the War Department
to the National Park Service
on August 10, 1933. It was redesignated Chalmette National Historical Park
on August 10, 1939. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on July 1, 1974. Chalmette was incorporated into a new park/preserve authorized on November 10, 1978.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
's Mississippi River Delta
Mississippi River Delta
The Mississippi River Delta is the modern area of land built up by alluvium deposited by the Mississippi River as it slows down and enters the Gulf of Mexico...
region. The park, named after Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. He and his elder brother, Pierre, spelled their last name Laffite, but English-language documents of the time used "Lafitte", and this is the commonly seen spelling in the United States, including for places...
, seeks to illustrate the influence of environment and history on the development of a unique regional culture. The park consists of six physically separate sites and a park headquarters.
Acadiana
Three sites interpret the CajunCajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
culture of the Lafayette area:
- Acadian Cultural Center, in LafayetteLafayette, LouisianaLafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
- Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, in EuniceEunice, LouisianaEunice is a city in Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 11,499 at the 2000 census.The St...
- Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, in ThibodauxThibodaux, LouisianaThibodaux is a small city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 14,431 at the 2000 census. Thibodaux is a principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux...
Barataria Preserve
Marrero, Louisiana
Marrero is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Marrero is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, interprets the natural and cultural history of the region.
The preserve has trails and canoe tours through bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, and marsh. Additionally, there is an Education Center providing curriculum-based programming for school groups and a visitor center providing a film and exhibits.
Chalmette
In ChalmetteChalmette, Louisiana
Chalmette is a census-designated place in and the parish seat of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 32,069 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, six miles (10 km) southeast of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, is the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery
Chalmette National Cemetery
Chalmette National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located within Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Chalmette, Louisiana. The cemetery is a plot adjacent to the site that once was the battleground of the Battle of New Orleans...
, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
and the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam.
French Quarter
At 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, in the historic French QuarterFrench Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. When New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city was originally centered on the French Quarter, or the Vieux Carré as it was known then...
, is the park's visitor center
Visitor center
A visitor center or centre , visitor information center, tourist information center, is a physical location that provides tourist information to the visitors who tour the place or area locally...
, interpreting the history of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. The park headquarters is also located in New Orleans.
Administrative history
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
to the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
on August 10, 1933. It was redesignated Chalmette National Historical Park
National Historical Park
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
on August 10, 1939. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on July 1, 1974. Chalmette was incorporated into a new park/preserve authorized on November 10, 1978.