Education items sought for next exhibit
     Starting in mid-October, the Union Museum will have an exhibit focusing on education in Union Parish.  Debra James and Cathy Buckley, curators of the "School Days" exhibit, are looking for photos and memorabilia from schools across the parish.  If you have items to loan, please call 318-348-2005.  Items can be brought to the museum Sept. 28-Oct. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. (excluding Saturday and Sunday)
THANKS TO OUR "CALL TO ARMS" SPONSOR:
Thanks to exhibit contributors
 Sincere thanks to these individuals and organizations who created the fascinating "Call to Arms" exhibit through their research and/or donation of photographs, artifacts, videos, and other items
  • Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, artifacts, Monroe
  • Lum Farr, artifacts, Farmerville
  • Jeanette Herren, Selman Field Historical Association, research and artifacts, W. Monroe
  • Beverly Jay, artifacts, Farmerville
  • Jean Jones, curator and artifacts, Bernice
  • ​Veryl Jones, artifacts, Bernice
  • Phamie Colvin Martin, research and artifacts, Ruston
  • Richard Moran, Louisiana Maneuvers Museum, research and artifacts, Pineville
  • Jean Colvin Moore, artifacts, Ruston
  • Debbie Neely, artifacts, Farmerville
  • ​North Louisiana Military Museum, artifacts, Ruston
  • Jimmy B. Odom, U.S. Army flag, Farmerville
  • Rickey Robertson, Louisiana Maneuvers research, Florien, LA
  • Dorothy Golden Smith and Wanda Smith Witherington, memoirs and artifacts, Bernice
  • Rebecca and Leroy Stenzel, research and artifacts and 1940s music, Bernice
  • Carol Ann Tubbs, research, Monroe
  • Gabriel and Zachary Tynes, B-17 model, Farmerville
  • Tom Warziniack, USAF (ret.), research and U.S. flag, Farmerville
  • Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite, photographs and memoirs, Farmerville
  • Fred Worthington, “Ten Days in September” video, Pineville, LA
PictureA young visitor to the "Call to Arms" exhibit tries on WWII military gear
"A Call to Arms" exhibit now over
     The museum's just-closed exhibit, "A Call to Arms," explored North Louisiana's enormous role preparing the nation for entry into World War II, thus setting the stage for America's ultimate victory.  
    “A Call to Arms: Louisiana Preps for WWII” featured photographs and artifacts about people involved with the Louisiana Maneuvers, Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, Selman Field navigation school, Barksdale Field, and other projects that helped America and its allies win the peace.  The exhibit was sponsored by a generous gift from Read Lumber and Supply. 
   Union Parish itself saw action during the Louisiana Maneuvers in September 1941, as thousands of soldiers camped out and practiced in the area for several weeks before heading to the mock battles further south.  Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite, now age 96, vividly recalls those days in the museum's documentary video posted on You Tube.  Click HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO (go to 21:06 to see Mrs. Wilhite talk about the maneuvers.)  Civilian families were generous with their hospitality to the soldiers, inviting them to share meals and take baths and enjoy social events such as dances.  In return, the soldiers put on band concerts and showed off military equipment to awed youngsters.  It was a festive time that had a serious mission: prepare the nation for war.

Picture
Army cavalry unit moves along Main Street of Farmerville in 1941. (Photo courtesy Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite)
"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
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 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 whose exhibit gallery is located in the Chamber building.