 Richard Moran
"Louisiana Maneuvers" talk slated Thursday, Aug. 23
On Thursday, August 23, at 4:30 p.m., Cpt. Richard Moran (ret.), curator of the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, will discuss details of the massive military training exercises that brought more than 400,000 soldiers to the state in 1941. The maneuvers were credited with preparing troops and their leaders for ultimate success in war. The Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum is located at Camp Beauregard in Pineville. Moran is considered a leading expert about the famed maneuvers and their impact on America's readiness in those times. 
"Fishing Fantasy" sculpture by artist Jamie Anderson
Buy a Brick; help fund the “Fishing Fantasy” public art
A permanent sculpture entitled “Fishing Fantasy” designed by local artist Jamie Anderson will soon grace the south lawn of the Union Parish Courthouse. The Union Museum of History and Art is guiding the art installation project as a gift to the community. The seven foot-tall sculpture will feature a sparkling glass tile mosaic image depicting the beauty of Union Parish waters and fish life. Construction of the concrete form will be led by James Gatson.. The project is expected to be completed by late September. The project is partially funded by a grant from the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts. The remainder of the needed funds will be raised through sales of commemorative bricks to be installed on the sculpture base. Donation amount will range from $125 to $200 for 4” x 8” bricks. For information about purchasing a brick, call Brittany Unkel at 318-368-5400 or CLICK HERE for downloadable form. Deadline is August 22 to order commemorative bricks. The museum thanks the Union Parish Police Jury for its support of this project by allowing the art piece to be permanently installed on the Courthouse grounds. |
EXHIBIT HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12-1); and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 A young visitor to the "Call to Arms" exhibit tries on WWII military gear
"A Call to Arms" exhibit tells stories
The current exhibit in Union Museum of History and Art explores how North Louisiana prepared the nation for entry into World War II and set the stage for America's ultimate victory. “A Call to Arms: Louisiana Preps for WWII” features photographs and artifacts that tell stories of 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 is sponsored by a generous gift from Read Lumber and Supply. The "Call to Arms" exhibit will be open through Sept. 7. Union Parish itself saw action during the Louisiana Maneuvers in September 1941, as several thousand 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. 
Army cavalry unit moves along Main Street of Farmerville in 1941. (Photo courtesy Marilyn Ludwig Wilhite)
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 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, 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 |
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"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.
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.