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211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, Louisiana
318-982-8020 [email protected] HOURS: Tue-Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays for special events 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 |
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The mission of the Union Museum of History and Art is to promote an understanding of history, culture, and art, and to instill a spirit of community pride.
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Together, we achieve more! --
Museum launches Friend of the Museum drive Union Museum of History and Art - Discovery Place depends on the public for support in order to continue serving the people of this community. Put simply, we need a little help from our friends. We ask that you give a gift to your community this season by making a tax-deductible donation. Gifts of any amounts are welcome! Below are the levels of giving to be an official Friend of the Museum: $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 credit card, click on the red “DONATE” button at upper right of this page. CLICK HERE FOR A DONATION FORM with more information. THANK YOU! |
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Museum is selling Christmas cards
Local children’s art adorns Christmas cards being sold by the Union Museum of History and Art at this time. Earlier this year, students at Union Parish High School, D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, Union Christian Academy, and home schools entered an art competition, “Christmas Through My Eyes.” Winning entries are printed on the cards, which can be purchased in sets of 12 for $30, or individually for $5. Proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, call the museum at 318-982-8020.
Local children’s art adorns Christmas cards being sold by the Union Museum of History and Art at this time. Earlier this year, students at Union Parish High School, D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, Union Christian Academy, and home schools entered an art competition, “Christmas Through My Eyes.” Winning entries are printed on the cards, which can be purchased in sets of 12 for $30, or individually for $5. Proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, call the museum at 318-982-8020.
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New "Eyewitness to History" video premieres
TA-DA! Big announcement: the museum's next "Eyewitness to History" video premiered December 4, on YouTube. Go here to see it: https://youtu.be/CAhMOEFcH60 This video features Tuffy Fields and Cleo Gatson discussing the earliest days of integration at Farmerville High School, 1968-69. The times, they were a-changin' for sure. The video was shot at FHS on September 19, 2025. The two guys did a great job sharing their thoughts about those long-ago days when they were teenagers. And Carter Carroll of ReCollect Media did a great job shooting and editing the video. This is the third in a series of "Eyewitness to History" videos created by the Union Museum of History and Art. All of the videos can be accessed on the museum's You Tube channel. The first interview, with 102 year-old Mrs. Ida Belle Albritton, is also viewable on the museum's You Tube channel. Mrs. Albritton recalls her experiences as a young bride and mother during World War II, and other experiences in her lifetime. The second video features Brenda Hobson Abercrombie, current member of the Union Parish Police Jury, and Doris Redden Kyle Russell, who served on the Police Jury in the 1960s and '70s. They are the only women ever elected to the Union Parish Police Jury. In the video, the two discuss why they entered public service, their challenges, and accomplishments. |
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"Snow Globe Station" ready for crafters
Come make your own snow globe this season at the Union Museum of History and Art! Unleash your creativity at the Snow Globe Station where you can easily move through each step and build your own festive keepsake to take home.
While you are in the museum, visit the gift shop to find one-of-a-kind presents for friends and family. (Every purchase helps the museum, too!)
Come make your own snow globe this season at the Union Museum of History and Art! Unleash your creativity at the Snow Globe Station where you can easily move through each step and build your own festive keepsake to take home.
While you are in the museum, visit the gift shop to find one-of-a-kind presents for friends and family. (Every purchase helps the museum, too!)
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Arts grant awarded to museum
The Union Museum of History and Art’s Bayou D’Arbonne Folk Festival was supported by a grant 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 NE Louisiana Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. |
The Union Museum of History and Art's building purchase was finalized on August 28. From left are building owners Kelly and Paul Coburn, museum board president Mary Barrios, board member and attorney Dawn Frasier, and board secretary Richard Royal.
"Landmark achievement," says director --
Museum purchases building in Farmerville
The board of directors of the Union Museum of History and Art has finalized purchase of the building in which it has resided since 2020. Building owners Paul and Kelly Coburn transferred title of the facility at 211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, to the non-profit museum organization on Thursday, August 28. The majority of the $200,000 required for the purchase was provided by local donors. The remainder was provided by state Capital Outlay funds.
“What a landmark achievement in the life of our museum: we are now the proud owners of the building we call home! This moment has been years in the making, and it stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community,” says museum director Vickie Wheelis. “We extend our deepest gratitude to State Senator Stewart Cathey and State Representative Chris Turner, who secured the capital outlay funding that made this dream a reality. Their belief in our mission helped pave the way for this new chapter,” she says. “To the many donors, volunteers, and local champions who have stood by us—thank you. Your generosity, encouragement, and steadfast support have lifted us through every challenge and celebration. This building is more than bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of what we can accomplish together. Here’s to the future of history, art, and community—rooted right here in Farmerville.”
Museum purchases building in Farmerville
The board of directors of the Union Museum of History and Art has finalized purchase of the building in which it has resided since 2020. Building owners Paul and Kelly Coburn transferred title of the facility at 211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, to the non-profit museum organization on Thursday, August 28. The majority of the $200,000 required for the purchase was provided by local donors. The remainder was provided by state Capital Outlay funds.
“What a landmark achievement in the life of our museum: we are now the proud owners of the building we call home! This moment has been years in the making, and it stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community,” says museum director Vickie Wheelis. “We extend our deepest gratitude to State Senator Stewart Cathey and State Representative Chris Turner, who secured the capital outlay funding that made this dream a reality. Their belief in our mission helped pave the way for this new chapter,” she says. “To the many donors, volunteers, and local champions who have stood by us—thank you. Your generosity, encouragement, and steadfast support have lifted us through every challenge and celebration. This building is more than bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of what we can accomplish together. Here’s to the future of history, art, and community—rooted right here in Farmerville.”
Board of Directors, 2025
Union Museum of History and Art
Mary Barrios - chair
Dawn Frasier - vice chair
Pam Gale Hallman
Ramsey Hallman
Glenda Henderson
Lesa W. Lawrence, Ph.D.
Richard Royal - secretary
Jamie Taylor - treasurer
Brittany Unkel
Museum Director
Vickie L. Wheelis, Ed.D.
Union Museum of History and Art
Mary Barrios - chair
Dawn Frasier - vice chair
Pam Gale Hallman
Ramsey Hallman
Glenda Henderson
Lesa W. Lawrence, Ph.D.
Richard Royal - secretary
Jamie Taylor - treasurer
Brittany Unkel
Museum Director
Vickie L. Wheelis, Ed.D.
"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 launched the Union Museum of History and Art as 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 launched the Union Museum of History and Art as 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.