Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Barataria Preserve
Location	Southern Louisiana, USA
Nearest city	New Orleans, LA
Coordinates	29°56′33″N 89°59′39″W
Area	20,020 acres (8,100 ha) 10,666 acres (4,316 ha) federal
Established	March 4, 1907
Visitors	420,366 (in 2011)
Governing body	National Park Service
Official website

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.

Acadiana

Three sites interpret the Cajun culture of the 165.83.133.248 (talk) 18:07, 8 March 2013 (UTC)Lafayette165.83.133.248 (talk) 18:07, 8 March 2013 (UTC) (southern Louisiana) area, which developed after Acadians were resettled in the region by the (Spanish) (in the aftermath of the French-Indian War) after (and their) expulsion from Canada (by the British) in the eighteenth century:

• Acadian Cultural Center, in Lafayette
• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, in Eunice
• Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, in Thibodaux

--165.83.133.248 (talk) 18:07, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Barataria Preserve

The Barataria Preserve, at 6588 Barataria Boulevard in Marrero, interprets the natural and cultural history of the region.

Sunset in Barataria Preserve, Louisiana

The preserve has trails and canoe tours through bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, and marsh. Additionally, an Education Center provides curriculum-based programming for school groups and a visitor center with a film and exhibits.

Chalmette

In Chalmette, six miles (10 km) southeast of New Orleans, is the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery. It is the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. The national cemetery holds the remains of Union soldiers from the Civil War, and United States soldiers from the Spanish-American, and First and Second World wars, and Vietnam war.

French Quarter

The park also has a visitor center at 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, in the historic French Quarter. It interprets more generally the history of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. The park headquarters is located in New Orleans.

Administrative history

Kenta Canal at Barataria Preserve, Louisiana

Chalmette Monument and Grounds were established on March 4, 1907 to commemorate the site of the Battle of New Orleans. It was transferred from the War Department to the National Park Service on August 10, 1933 and redesignated Chalmette National Historical Park on August 10, 1939. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 1974. Chalmette was incorporated into the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve authorized on November 10, 1978.

References

• The National Parks: Index 2001-2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.

External links

• National Park Service: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
  • Acadian Cultural Center
  • Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
  • Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
  • Barataria Preserve
  • Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery
  • French Quarter Visitor Center