History & Heritage in Ville Platte Louisiana

History & Heritage

One facet of Louisiana that makes it such an appealing visitor destination is its deep and colorful history. European explorers found their way to the region and inhabited the area very early relative to settlement of much of the rest of the continent. As a result, some communities in Louisiana are among the oldest in the United States. Before those explorers arrived, of course, people we now know as Native Americans populated the region. Reaching still farther back in time, ancient peoples left their mark on the area thousands of years ago. The state of Louisiana offers many ways to explore the region’s rich history, in hundreds of museums, historic structures, landmarks, artifacts and works of art. The careful preservation and restoration of these sites and artifacts has created many rare opportunities for visitors to experience Louisiana’s history and gain insights into the diverse cultures that continue to influence the state today.

Ville Platte

The thunder of hooves heard in Ville Platte each October would presumably warm the heart of Marcellin Garand, a former cavalry officer in Napoleon's army who is credited with founding this city in the northern reaches of modern day Cajun country. Here, his equestrian legacy is remembered during the Louisiana Tournoi, a one-of-a-kind horseback tournament, where riders wearing capes and costume armor vie to lance the most gold rings while racing along a rustic track. The event is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Cotton Festival, which honors the area's agricultural bounty with a downtown parade, a ball and visits by festival queens. Throughout the year, visitors find Cajun food and swamp pop music galore, a historic district straddling El Camino Real, the Spanish colonial-era trail connecting New Orleans to Natchitoches and easy access to Chicot State Park with its many acres of wooded, rolling hills and meandering, cypress-studded waterways.

Trip Ideas

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Louisiana State Arboretum State Preservation Area

Experience extraordinary plants and wildlife in the state’s official tree conservancy.

Louisiana State Parks Offer Cabin Getaways

When it comes to finding an affordable, family-friendly getaway that offers something for everyone, look no further than a Louisiana State Park.

Centenary State Historic Site

Tour the grounds of Louisiana’s oldest college, founded in 1826.

Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site

Head south of Baton Rouge for a look into Louisiana’s shipping history.

Battle of New Orleans in Chalmette

A clearing along the river just south of New Orleans was the site of one of the most famous battles ever fought on American soil.

Top 10 Things to Do in West Feliciana Parish

Charming small-town feel packed with history, culture and beautiful views. Welcome to West Feliciana!

What is Swamp Pop Music?

Rock 'n' roll came to the swamp and the result was an all-new sound.

African American Heritage Trail Itinerary: Cajun Country

Make your way on I-10 West from Baton Rouge towards Cajun Country to take in the plentiful impact of African American History Trail.

Louisiana's 4-H Club History

In 1908, Mr. V.L. Roy, Superintendent of Avoyelles Parish Schools, organized the first Corn Club, the forerunner of the 4-H Club in Louisiana

Port Hudson State Historic Site

Walk the hallowed grounds where the longest siege in U.S. military history took place.

Ultimate List of Louisiana Products to Serve with Holiday Meals

Prepare your holiday meals in style with these locally-made Louisiana products.

Return to Grandeur at Nottoway Plantation

One of the largest remaining antebellum mansions in the South, Nottoway will be an American treasure for decades to come.

Grambling University, Eddie G. Robinson Museum

With great pride, I announce the next stop on the North Louisiana African American Heritage Trail: my hometown, Grambling.

River Road Plantations

To get a first-hand look at the grand plantations of Louisiana’s colonial and antebellum past, visitors only need to take a tour down River Road.

Cajun vs. Creole Food - What is the Difference?

Louisiana's food is steeped with historical influences including Cajun and Creole cuisines. Learn what differentiates Cajun and Creole food.

Civil War Battle of Pleasant Hill re-enacted

A major event in the Red River Campaign of the Civil War is revisited every year at Pleasant Hill.

Mansfield State Historic Site

See the Civil War site where the Confederates won a hard-earned victory against Union invaders.

Day Trip Ideas Near Poverty Point

After exploring Poverty Point World Heritage Site, stay in the area for one-of-a-kind experiences.

Take the Scenic Route: Louisiana’s Byways

History, wildlife and great views of nature await those who explore Louisiana's scenic byways.

Louisiana's Unique Museums and Exhibitions

Here is a sampling of museums in Louisiana and their unique exhibitions preserving Louisiana history.

Rebel State Historic Site

Country and gospel music come together with Civil War commemoration at this west Louisiana museum.

History Comes Alive at the LSU Rural Life Museum

You’ll feel as if you are traveling through time as you walk among historical displays at the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge.

Los Adaes State Historic Site

At this 300-year-old site that was once the capital of Texas, you’ll get an up-close look at battles waged between two global superpowers.

Creole Nature Trail

Designated an All-American Road in 2002, this 180-mile trail was one of the first National Scenic Byways in the Gulf South.

African-American Heritage Trail Itinerary: New Orleans

Use this itinerary to discover the deep history of the African-American Heritage Trail in New Orleans.

Fort Jesup State Historic Site

This Mexican-American War-era fort is central to a little-known chapter in American history.

Cane River National Heritage Area

Historic landmarks, colonial forts and Creole plantations are highlights of the Cane River National Heritage Area.

African-American Heritage Itinerary: Plantation Country

Explore the African-American Heritage Trail in the Baton Rouge and St. Francisville Area with this itinerary of things to do.

World War II Museum Honors Greatest Generation

The museum has something of a sacred mission: telling the epic story of the most destructive war the world has ever known.

Top Ten Things to Do in Acadia Parish

From antiques and candy shops to historic opera houses and Cajun food, get ready to explore a simpler side of Louisiana.

African-American Heritage Trail Itinerary: Crossroads

Get your itinerary and trip ideas for exploring the African-American Heritage Trail in the Crossroads region of the state.

The Louisiana Hayride Show - Most Successful Stage in Music History?

The most successful stage in music history? Second only to the Grand Ole Opry, many claim the Louisiana Hayride had a more significant impact on today’s music scene.

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site

Tour the house and gardens of a luxurious 19th century cotton plantation.

Explore Louisiana's Civil War History

Louisiana's civil war sites pay tribute to its fallen soldiers.

Weekend in Natchitoches

This southern belle offers stately oaks, brick-lined streets, great oyster po-boys, Steel Magnolias and of course a meat pie!

10 Things to Do in Thibodaux and Lafourche Parish

Explore the hundreds of miles of Bayous, small town charm and experience the Cajun culture first hand.

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

Stand at a cultural crossroads in Louisiana’s first state park.

Secrets of Poverty Point

This UNESCO World Heritage site is an archaeological wonder with little-known stories to tell.

Civil War Battle Re-lived in Jackson, Louisiana

The Battle of Jackson plays out annually, more than a century after the original conflict, in a picturesque field outside of Jackson, Louisiana.

Louisiana’s No Man’s Land

Immerse yourself in the history of Louisiana's "Wild West."

Famous Authors of Louisiana: Literary Lovers' Guide

Louisiana's rich history has produced a diverse group of authors, writers, and poets who have dotted the state with literary landmarks.

Campaigns of Courage Pavilion Opens at National WWII Museum

The New Orleans museum brings the struggles and victories of the Greatest Generation to life with extraordinary new exhibits.

Making History at Frogmore Plantation

Learn the stories of Civil War soldiers, cotton kingpins, slaves and sharecroppers at a 19th-century plantation where cotton is still farmed today.

Locust Grove State Historic Site

Louisiana’s plantation past comes alive at this small family cemetery.

Grand Opera House of the South is a Downtown Crowley Attraction

Among more than 200 structures in Crowley that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the opera house is truly grand.

Tour the River Road and Capital for Plantations, Dining and Outdoor Fun

Follow the Mississippi River as it flows through Baton Rouge and the heart of Plantation Country.

Celebrating Dooky Chase’s and Remembering the Queen of Creole Cuisine

The memory of one of the nation’s most beloved chefs and activists lives on at this classic Creole restaurant.

Gretna Historical Society

Gretna, in Jefferson Parish, is home to one of Louisiana's largest National Register of Historic Places districts.

Louisiana’s Historic Architecture

Louisiana has preserved it's cultural heritage through architecture.

10 Cajun Essentials: Guide to Cajun Culture in Louisiana

Want to experience everything Cajun? Try these top ten Cajun things to do in Louisiana.

10 Things To Do in St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish offers so many diverse activities and attractions that they say it's gumbo for the soul!

A Visit to Frogmore Plantation, Where Cotton is Still King

Walk through high cotton and pick some yourself at this 19th-century plantation.

Famous Streets Across Louisiana

Get to know Louisiana a little better via its iconic streets in cities around the state.

Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site

Walk through Civil War history at these central Louisiana forts.

Haunted At The Myrtles

A St. Francisville plantation home is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in Louisiana.

Louisiana's Culinary Hall of Fame

Get the guide to Louisiana's most famous dishes and where you can eat them!

Audubon State Historic Site

See the landscape and wildlife that inspired one of America’s most famous naturalists.

7 Ways to Tour New Orleans

Get better acquainted with the Crescent City by taking one of its many tours.

Chicot State Park

Louisiana’s largest state park is home to trails, water playgrounds and the Louisiana State Arboretum.

Kent Plantation House State Historic Site

Tour the grounds of an opulent 18th century sugar plantation, one of Louisiana’s oldest.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site

Tour a replica of the first European settlement in what would become the Louisiana Purchase.

Discover the Plantation Parade

These four plantations will take you on a trip through time to discover the stories of Louisiana's past.

Louisiana Civil War Sites

Sites throughout Louisiana commemorate key Civil War events and honor sacrifices in the worst conflict the nation ever faced on its own soil.

Military History Lives on Louisiana Battleship

The USS Kidd was named for Medal of Honor recipient Isaac C. Kidd Sr., who was killed aboard his flagship USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

10 Things to Do in Natchitoches Parish

Explore Natchitoches Parish, the land of Cane River, teeming with history and beauty around every corner.

Otis House at Fairview-Riverside State Park

Learn about the history of 19th century Madisonville entrepreneur while walking the grounds of a magnificent state park.

Baton Rouge History on Display

Downtown Baton Rouge is home to the Old Governor’s Mansion, Shaw Center for the Arts and the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and Planetarium.

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Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum

City: Ville Platte

205 NW Railroad Ave Ville Platte, LA 70586

Website 337-363-0900

Swamp pop's rich history lives again at the new museum, filled with stage costumes, photos, records, a wall of fame of autographs and more rare memorabilia. Large charts and maps outline swamp...

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Explore The Area

Explore the beautiful art at the Shreveport Multicultural Center of the South.

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Take a ride on one of New Orleans streetcars.

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The Strand Theatre in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana

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Explore the Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches.

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Street signs in New Iberia are in three languages

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Visit the USS Kidd Veterans Museum in Baton Rouge.

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Tour the Professor's House at the Centenary State Historic Site.

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Oak Alley Plantation, Restaurant and Inn, on River Road in Vacherie, Louisiana, boasts an Antebellum mansion and B&B accommodations in century-old cottages set in 25 acres of lush, oak-lined grounds.

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