211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, Louisiana
318-982-8020 unionmuseum@gmail.com HOURS: Tue-Fri, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. FREE ADMISSION Click button below for YouTube video - "First People of Union Parish" talk by archaeologist Jeff Girard Visit the museum's archaeology website by clicking the second button below |
YES! I want to receive the museum's weekly e-newsletter.
|
|
LA Tech exhibit, "Traditions and Treasures," now open
Stunning memorabilia from Louisiana Tech University is now showcased in the Union Museum of History and Art until April 12. Tech’s “Traditions and Treasures” exhibit, sponsored by Origin Bank, focuses on the university’s fascinating history through carefully selected items from the university's archives. Cami Geisman, Tech’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs, is coordinating the exhibit. She is assisted by Angela Dunnington, Executive Director of Library Services, Tanya Arant, director of Special Collections and Archives, and Tom Soto, Director of University Communications and Marketing.
Founded in 1894, the university currently has more than 11,000 students. Tech is a four-year selective admissions research university awarding bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In addition to its main campus in Ruston, Louisiana Tech offers degree programs to civilians and military service members on Barksdale Air Force Base, and has a new Academic Success Center in Bossier City.
Stunning memorabilia from Louisiana Tech University is now showcased in the Union Museum of History and Art until April 12. Tech’s “Traditions and Treasures” exhibit, sponsored by Origin Bank, focuses on the university’s fascinating history through carefully selected items from the university's archives. Cami Geisman, Tech’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs, is coordinating the exhibit. She is assisted by Angela Dunnington, Executive Director of Library Services, Tanya Arant, director of Special Collections and Archives, and Tom Soto, Director of University Communications and Marketing.
Founded in 1894, the university currently has more than 11,000 students. Tech is a four-year selective admissions research university awarding bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In addition to its main campus in Ruston, Louisiana Tech offers degree programs to civilians and military service members on Barksdale Air Force Base, and has a new Academic Success Center in Bossier City.
Mayan site to be subject of March 21 talk in Union Museum
Altun Ha, a small Mayan site in Belize, will be the subject of a talk by Dr. Gary Stringer in the Union Museum of History and Art on Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m. Dr. Stringer is Professor Emeritus of Geology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
While Altun Ha is not as large as some of the Mayan sites in Mexico, it is unique and special in many ways, says Dr. Stringer. The site, occupied from approximately 900 BC to 1000 AD, has two plazas and seven temples including the “Temple of the Masonry Altars.” This temple is the largest at the site at approximately 54 feet in height and contained elaborate human burials. The largest and best-known solid jade Mayan artifact was recovered from the temple. Each of the temples will be explored as well as the jade artifact (the Jester god) in Dr. Stringer’s presentation.
Altun Ha, a small Mayan site in Belize, will be the subject of a talk by Dr. Gary Stringer in the Union Museum of History and Art on Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m. Dr. Stringer is Professor Emeritus of Geology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
While Altun Ha is not as large as some of the Mayan sites in Mexico, it is unique and special in many ways, says Dr. Stringer. The site, occupied from approximately 900 BC to 1000 AD, has two plazas and seven temples including the “Temple of the Masonry Altars.” This temple is the largest at the site at approximately 54 feet in height and contained elaborate human burials. The largest and best-known solid jade Mayan artifact was recovered from the temple. Each of the temples will be explored as well as the jade artifact (the Jester god) in Dr. Stringer’s presentation.
Give a gift to your community
Union Museum of History and Art - Discovery Place depends on the public for support in order to continue serving the people of this community. We ask that you give a gift to your community by making a tax-deductible “Friends of the Museum” donation at any of these suggested levels, or in the amount of your choice.
$100 Bronze
$250 Silver
$500 Gold
$1000 Platinum
$1500 Champion
$3000 Patron
$5000 Benefactor
You may send a check to the museum at 211 N. Main St., Farmerville, LA 71241. OR, to make your donation via PayPal or credit card, click on the red “DONATE” button at upper right of this page. THANK YOU!
Union Museum of History and Art - Discovery Place depends on the public for support in order to continue serving the people of this community. We ask that you give a gift to your community by making a tax-deductible “Friends of the Museum” donation at any of these suggested levels, or in the amount of your choice.
$100 Bronze
$250 Silver
$500 Gold
$1000 Platinum
$1500 Champion
$3000 Patron
$5000 Benefactor
You may send a check to the museum at 211 N. Main St., Farmerville, LA 71241. OR, to make your donation via PayPal or credit card, click on the red “DONATE” button at upper right of this page. THANK YOU!
Folk Festival set for May 4
Bayou D'Arbonne Folk Festival (formerly called Folk Life Day) will be Saturday, May 4, on the grounds and surrounding area of the Union Museum of History and Art, 211 N. Main St., Farmerville. Headline performers for the event will be the Dead Reckoning String Band of Monroe, Bluegrass Station band, the Sweet Home Harmony band of Blanchard, the Holmesville Baptist Church gospel group, Union Parish High School band, and students of The Dance Studio of Union Parish. Visitors will revel in the arts, crafts, foods, dance, and all-day music! Admission will be free. Interested in being a vendor? Click HERE. |
August 15 is deadline for Legacy Tiles
The public is invited to support the Union Museum of History and Art by purchasing an engraved tile for the Wall of Gratitude no later than August 15. The black granite and ivory marble tiles will be a beautiful remembrance of special people and organizations that will endure long into the future. The "Leave a Legacy" campaign will help the museum reach its current Capital Campaign goal of $125,000, which is needed to purchase its Farmerville facility this year. Tiles are
$750 (4” x 8” ivory marble tile),
$2000 (8” x 8” ivory marble tile)
$5000 (8” x 8” black granite tile).
Donors are welcome to pay in installments, with the total due by August 15, 2024.
CALL 318.982.8020 to sign up
The public is invited to support the Union Museum of History and Art by purchasing an engraved tile for the Wall of Gratitude no later than August 15. The black granite and ivory marble tiles will be a beautiful remembrance of special people and organizations that will endure long into the future. The "Leave a Legacy" campaign will help the museum reach its current Capital Campaign goal of $125,000, which is needed to purchase its Farmerville facility this year. Tiles are
$750 (4” x 8” ivory marble tile),
$2000 (8” x 8” ivory marble tile)
$5000 (8” x 8” black granite tile).
Donors are welcome to pay in installments, with the total due by August 15, 2024.
CALL 318.982.8020 to sign up
Museum reveals state funding, building plans
Union Museum of History and Art is proud to announce that it will receive $500,000 in state Capital Outlay funding next year. The state funds, coupled with the Museum’s required match of $125,000, will be used to purchase the building at 211 N. Main Street in Farmerville in late 2024, and to then renovate the exterior and interior.
The Capital Outlay funding request was submitted to the Louisiana Legislature in 2022, and was supported by Sen. Stewart Cathey and Rep. Chris Turner during the entire review process. “Representative Turner and I have worked hard to deliver funding for all of Union Parish, and I’m honored to be able to include the Union Museum of History and Art on that list,” said Sen. Cathey. “The staff and volunteers at the museum do a great job, and I’m proud to play a small role in its success.”
Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix and Hixson engineering firm in Ruston initiated the project planning in 2022. Building renovation plans were drawn up by TBA Studio Architecture in Monroe, and include creation of an outdoor stage for public performances, beautification of the exterior, improved parking and signage, interior museum-quality lighting, display areas, archives, and handicapped-accessible restrooms.
“We are excited to receive this funding and what this will mean to secure the future of our museum,” stated Mary Barrios, board president. “We thank Sen. Cathey and Rep Turner for their leadership and support in securing the Capital Outlay funding and look forward to sharing this expanded and renovated space with our community to continue the quality programming the museum is known for providing.”
“Senator Cathey and I are proud to have worked to secure funding for The Union Museum of History and Art,” said Representative Turner. “The museum staff works tirelessly to share great examples of the history and beginnings of Union Parish and North Louisiana. The quality of the activities and exhibits the museum shares with our area is second to none. “
The Museum launched a Building Fund campaign in 2021, with the goal of purchasing the building early in 2025. “We are so grateful to the donors who caught the vision of what this museum could do for our community. Because of their generosity, we can meet the required match of $125,000 for this state funding opportunity to not only acquire the building, but also transform it into a spectacular community center,” said Jean Jones, board member and programs coordinator. A key element of the fundraising campaign is the tile wall project, where individuals can purchase a marble or granite tile and have it engraved with their own wording, said Jones. Tiles are still available at levels of $750, $2000, and $5000.
For more information, call the Museum at 318-982-8020.
Union Museum of History and Art is proud to announce that it will receive $500,000 in state Capital Outlay funding next year. The state funds, coupled with the Museum’s required match of $125,000, will be used to purchase the building at 211 N. Main Street in Farmerville in late 2024, and to then renovate the exterior and interior.
The Capital Outlay funding request was submitted to the Louisiana Legislature in 2022, and was supported by Sen. Stewart Cathey and Rep. Chris Turner during the entire review process. “Representative Turner and I have worked hard to deliver funding for all of Union Parish, and I’m honored to be able to include the Union Museum of History and Art on that list,” said Sen. Cathey. “The staff and volunteers at the museum do a great job, and I’m proud to play a small role in its success.”
Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix and Hixson engineering firm in Ruston initiated the project planning in 2022. Building renovation plans were drawn up by TBA Studio Architecture in Monroe, and include creation of an outdoor stage for public performances, beautification of the exterior, improved parking and signage, interior museum-quality lighting, display areas, archives, and handicapped-accessible restrooms.
“We are excited to receive this funding and what this will mean to secure the future of our museum,” stated Mary Barrios, board president. “We thank Sen. Cathey and Rep Turner for their leadership and support in securing the Capital Outlay funding and look forward to sharing this expanded and renovated space with our community to continue the quality programming the museum is known for providing.”
“Senator Cathey and I are proud to have worked to secure funding for The Union Museum of History and Art,” said Representative Turner. “The museum staff works tirelessly to share great examples of the history and beginnings of Union Parish and North Louisiana. The quality of the activities and exhibits the museum shares with our area is second to none. “
The Museum launched a Building Fund campaign in 2021, with the goal of purchasing the building early in 2025. “We are so grateful to the donors who caught the vision of what this museum could do for our community. Because of their generosity, we can meet the required match of $125,000 for this state funding opportunity to not only acquire the building, but also transform it into a spectacular community center,” said Jean Jones, board member and programs coordinator. A key element of the fundraising campaign is the tile wall project, where individuals can purchase a marble or granite tile and have it engraved with their own wording, said Jones. Tiles are still available at levels of $750, $2000, and $5000.
For more information, call the Museum at 318-982-8020.
Two state grant awards announced
Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville is pleased to announce it has received a 2023 Louisiana Culture Care Fund grant of $5000 in support of its general operations this fiscal year. It also has received a 2023 Louisiana Emergency Planning and Disaster Recovery Grant of $5000 to create a detailed disaster preparedness plan. Both of these grants have been provided by the State of Louisiana and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. “We are so appreciative of these two grants that will help propel the Union Museum into a position of stability and preparedness,” says Mary Barrios, Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors. Funds of the Culture Care Grant will be used for overhead expenses such as utilities, insurance and security. Paula Davis, Greg Gossler, and the Board of Directors will prepare the disaster mitigation and recovery plan. |
Union Museum of History and Art gratefully acknowledges arts grants
Several projects of the Union Museum of History and Art have been supported by grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Inc. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.”
Several projects of the Union Museum of History and Art have been supported by grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Inc. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.”
"First Friends" of the Museum
Sincere thanks go to these individuals and organizations that launched the museum in 2014
by underwriting the gallery construction expenses.
The Lions Club of Farmerville - Lighting System Sponsor
Union General Hospital - Community Showcase Sponsor
Bruce and Cindy Hampton - Large Display Panel Sponsor (2)
Plum Creek -- Lead Flooring Sponsor
Architecture +, Monroe, LA - architectural rendering
The Carr Family - Fred, Tommy, Jeffery, Tinnie, and Deanna -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Community Trust Bank (now Origin Bank) -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Futch Family - Alan, Lance,Todd, and Jimmye Carol -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Gazette -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Steve and Jean Jones -- Flooring Sponsor
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Nancy Love -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Read Lumber and Supply -- Flooring Sponsor
Jerry and Joan Taylor -- Flooring Sponsor
Brittany and Steve Unkel -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Ricky and Debbie Albritton -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Banner -- Display Panel Sponsor
John and Alana Belton -- Display Panel Sponsor
Dr. Clyde Brashier -- Display Panel Sponsor
Town of Farmerville -- Display Panel Sponsor
Lum and Dottie Farr -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Museum is forever indebted to the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which began the museum idea as a special study project in 2011. The Chamber's Board of Directors enabled the concept to become a reality, and today the Union Museum of History and Art is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For its first five years, the Museum was housed in the Chamber of Commerce building; in March 2020, it moved into the building at 211 N. Main St. , Farmerville.
Sincere thanks go to these individuals and organizations that launched the museum in 2014
by underwriting the gallery construction expenses.
The Lions Club of Farmerville - Lighting System Sponsor
Union General Hospital - Community Showcase Sponsor
Bruce and Cindy Hampton - Large Display Panel Sponsor (2)
Plum Creek -- Lead Flooring Sponsor
Architecture +, Monroe, LA - architectural rendering
The Carr Family - Fred, Tommy, Jeffery, Tinnie, and Deanna -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Community Trust Bank (now Origin Bank) -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Futch Family - Alan, Lance,Todd, and Jimmye Carol -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
The Gazette -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Steve and Jean Jones -- Flooring Sponsor
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Nancy Love -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Read Lumber and Supply -- Flooring Sponsor
Jerry and Joan Taylor -- Flooring Sponsor
Brittany and Steve Unkel -- Large Display Panel Sponsor
Ricky and Debbie Albritton -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Banner -- Display Panel Sponsor
John and Alana Belton -- Display Panel Sponsor
Dr. Clyde Brashier -- Display Panel Sponsor
Town of Farmerville -- Display Panel Sponsor
Lum and Dottie Farr -- Display Panel Sponsor
The Museum is forever indebted to the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which began the museum idea as a special study project in 2011. The Chamber's Board of Directors enabled the concept to become a reality, and today the Union Museum of History and Art is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For its first five years, the Museum was housed in the Chamber of Commerce building; in March 2020, it moved into the building at 211 N. Main St. , Farmerville.