Some of the most interesting cultural facts about Houma can be uncovered in its many Museums & Art Galleries.
Here are the top 10 Museums & Art Galleries to visit while you’ve in and around Houma:
1. Historical Downtown Houma
Just park somewhere downtown, take a walk and see centuries-old architecture and history come alive in Houma’s historical downtown district.
2. Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum
Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum honors the economic, social and historical culture of Terrebonne Parish. Cajun band performs on Tuesdays from 5:30pm – 7:00pm.
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday Noon-4:00pm.
7910 Park Avenue, Houma, LA 70364 (985) 580-7200
3. LUMCON Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
LUMCON operates from the DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie. Includes educational exhibits focusing on Louisiana’s coastal resources. The marine center is open for self-guided tours.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:00pm; Saturday – Sunday 8:00am-4:00pm.
8124 Highway 56, Chauvin, LA 70344 (985) 851-2800
4. Downtown Art Gallery 630
Downtown Art Gallery 630 features original art by local artists. Located in the heart of Houma’s Historic District.
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm.
630 Belanger Street, Houma, LA 70360 (985) 851-2198
5. Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center
Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center is dedicated to preserving Cajun culture, the center offers classes on Cajun dancing, cooking, crafts and decoy carving.
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.
317 Goode Street, Houma, LA 70360 (985) 873-6545
6. Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Nicholls State University Art Studio
Chauvin Sculpture Gardens was named as one of the Top 25 Most Amazing Sculpture Gardens in the World by BestValueSchools.com. The garden has more than 100 concrete sculptures and is open from dawn to dusk. Free to the public.
5336 Bayouside Drive, Chauvin, LA 70377 (985) 594-2546
7. Finding Our Roots African American Museum
Finding Our Roots African American Museum celebrates little-known, significant African-American history in Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St. Mary Parishes.
Hours of operation: Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
918 Roussell Street, Houma, LA 70360 (985)855-9202
8. Acadian Deportation Cross Monument
The Acadian Deportation Cross Monument was created by the Société Nationale de l’Acadie and is located in front of the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum. There are 10 monuments in all marking the journey of the expelled Acadians. Houma, Louisiana’s monument is the first in the United States. Panels in English and French tell the story of the Acadians’ journey and the settlement in Terrebonne Parish. A map shows the routes taken by the Acadians following deportation. A cross adorns the top of the monument – a replica of the Grand Pre’ deportation cross.
7910 Park Avenue, Houma, LA 70364
9. Regional Military Museum
The Regional Military Museum is a living history of the area’s rich military past. Vehicles really run and weapons really fire. The library acts as a place of research for both family military history and educational instruction. Veteran volunteers offer first-hand accounts of their service.
1154 Barrow Street, Houma, LA 70360 (985) 873-8200
10. Southdown Plantation & Terrebonne Museum
Southdown Plantation House is a 19th century manor house, slave quarters, gift shop and worker’s cabin! Local history is told by a fully guided tour. Tours offered hourly, Last tour begins at 3:00pm. No credit cards.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
1208 Museum Drive, Houma, LA 70360 (985) 851-0154
So when you’re ready to immerse yourself into the culture of Bayou Country in Houma, place at least one of these museums & art galleries on the top of your to-do list.
Special thanks to houmatravel.com for the resource list.
