Louisiana State Archives

08/24/2026

On August 12th, the Archives welcomed the Friends & Family Bowlers group for an engaging visit. During their time with us, the group explored our Research Library and viewed our exhibit, "Captured Moments". They had the opportunity to see original documents, including Act No. 42, which established Mardi Gras as a state holiday in 1875. They also learned about dolls created during the Works Progress Administration and observed how our conservators carefully straighten historical documents using the humidification process. Additionally, they had the chance to meet everyone's favorite mascot, Records Services' "Chris Stapleton." Thank you for spending your morning with us!

08/21/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the Onebane Law Firm for their generous donation of these historic law papers and books to the Louisiana State Archives. These materials are a wonderful historical resource for Louisiana and we are so excited that they will be preserved for generations to come.

08/19/2026

08/07/2026

We’re celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with the Society of American Archivists! 🇺🇸

We have joined other archives around the country in making a submission to the ‘250 for the 250th’ online repository, a project that tells the story of the United States through records preserved in our nation’s archives. The collection highlights the full range of America’s documentary heritage and the role archives have played in preserving and understanding our collective history.

Our contribution to their ‘Unfinished Revolutions’ category is footage from the WWL-TV Channel 4 Collection, showing Ruby Bridges being escorted into William Frantz Elementary School by U.S. Marshals on November 14, 1960. It was originally filmed in black and white on 16mm film and was recently scanned in 4K to ensure its preservation for the future. The footage documents the historic day in New Orleans when six year old Ruby Bridges became the first African American student to attend the previously all-white school. It depicts the vulnerability and bravery of a child in the face of a school system and a segregationist society vehemently opposed to her access to a fair and equal education, based purely on her race.

Watch and learn more about the footage at https://td52e01bc4f4b6253.starter1ua.preservica.com/portal/en-US/asset/sdb%3AIO%7C7dd4eb51-e44f-4894-bbdc-d9b7d148ce53

08/07/2026

07/29/2026

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07/28/2026

ON THIS DAY IN LOUISIANA HISTORY

On July 28, 1936, Louisiana Act 94 was signed into law, combining the Louisiana State Highway Patrol with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to create the Louisiana Department of State Police.

Happy 90th Birthday Louisiana State Police!

07/27/2026

ON THIS DAY IN LOUISIANA HISTORY

On July 27, 1958, legendary war hero Major General Claire Lee Chennault passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Major General Chennault accomplished much during his extensive military career but is perhaps best known as the founder of the Flying Tigers, an American Volunteer Group that formed in 1941 to help oppose the Japanese forces during the invasion of China.

Visit the Louisiana State Archives to see the Chennault Collection, which includes a flight cap and pilot's book from the incredible life of Major General Claire Lee Chennault.

07/20/2026

ON THIS DAY IN LOUISIANA HISTORY

On July 20, 1968, Governor John J. McKeithen signed Louisiana Acts 408 and 409 into law.

Act 408 was designed to reverse decades of policies and legislation that had sought to effectively ban speaking French in Louisiana and had resulted in discrimination and the endangerment of French-speaking cultural identity in the state.

Act 409, passed concurrently with Act 408, established CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana). CODOFIL operates under the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor's Office and exists to revitalize French-speaking culture in the state by encouraging French language immersion in schools, promoting tourism, and preserving Louisiana's unique linguistic heritage.