Dedicated to the preservation of the Louisianans who have served, been wounded, or killed in action while serving in the United States Military, Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park has become one of the most notable locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Transformed from a location that was more about the past than the present, the park highlights what it can mean when a static landmark becomes an active part of a community.
From the Battle of Baton Rouge to a Place of Connection
The Old Arsenal Museum, formerly known as the Powder Magazine, is an important piece of Louisiana history. Built in 1838 as a federal military post, it would be occupied by the Louisiana militia when the Civil War began before being taken over by federal troops during the Battle of Baton Rouge. The structure would eventually give the surrounding Arsenal Park its name.
Located in the historic district and on the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol, Arsenal Park provided audiences with a place to relax and enjoy pieces of history like the liberty bell duplicate and canons that have a connection to the original Arsenal Building. However, an effort to recognize the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who have served, been wounded, or killed in action while serving in the United States Military would compel a transformation of the park.
A ceremony renaming Arsenal Park to Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park took place in 2017. Designed to be enjoyed by all Louisiana residents and visitors from around the world the landmark showcases various monuments that connect it to the past and present of the region.
The Louisiana Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is directly connected to this transformation, as It pays tribute to families who lost a loved one in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Nearby is the Minuteman Monument, which was installed in 2019 and honors current members of the National Guard and the guardsmen who have been killed while serving their country.
These individual monuments are scattered across Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park, which now also serves as a place for veterans and their families to gather and reconnect with fellow military families. The park highlights what it means to both celebrate and transform a piece of history that connects the past to the future of an entire community.
Transforming a Piece of History
Few locations have landmarks as notable as the Old Arsenal Museum but the way that Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park has been able to use and transform this history is unique. Doing so has provided the veteran community of the United States with a place to connect while also giving audiences from across the region and country a place to engage with history and community that spans the eras.
