Union Museum of History and Art
318-982-8020
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211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, Louisiana
318-982-8020                unionmuseum@gmail.com
HOURS THIS WEEK:
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday

Union Museum of History and Art is complying with all COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.  Visitors are asked to wear masks, observe social distancing, and disinfect hands frequently.  If you are ill or suspect you have been near a person testing positive with the virus, please do not visit the museum at this time.
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Three artists to be featured in upcoming exhibit
    
Works by Union Parish artists Bob Ward, Barbara Sisk and Nicole Ramsey will be on display in the "Art in the Time of Coronavirus" exhibit set for January 19 through February 28 in Discovery Place-Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville.  During the confining days of the Coronavirus pandemic, these three have been busy in their art studios.  Their resulting works will be exhibited during the hours 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.  Admission is free.  The museum is located at 211 N. Main St., Farmerville.  For more information, call 318-982-8020.
     Ward is retired professor of art at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he also was director of the Bry Art Gallery.  In his long career, he earned numerous accolades for his art, and continues his work, primarily acrylic on canvas.  Sisk learned her artistic skills from her grandmother, and works in a variety of media including oil, china painting, quilting, and crochet.  Her oil painting of three grandchildren won Best of Show in the Union Arts Council competition in 2017.  Ramsey is new to art, but already has earned several prizes for her acrylic paintings, including People’s Choice and first place in the Union Arts Council competition of 2019.
From left, Barbara Sisk, Bob Ward, Nicole Ramsey

Christmas exhibit and veterans' tribute now ended
     The museum's concurrent exhibits, "Christmas Angels and Orchids" and "From War to Peace," ended Dec. 30, and attracted nearly 200 visitors.  Local artist Pam Gale created 29 spectacular paintings of angels for the exhibit and Debbie Williams displayed a host of  gorgeous live orchids that she grows in her giant greenhouse north of Farmerville. This Christmas exhibit was sponsored by Union General Hospital and Kilpatrick Funeral Homes.
   The Vietnam veterans exhibit opened on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, (see article below), and was a moving tribute to special heroes.  
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"From War to Peace" honored local Vietnam veterans
    The Vietnam War ended 45 years ago, but it lives on in the hearts and minds ... and for many, the nightmares... of soldiers who were there. The "From War to Peace " exhibit honored those who served in that long war. Through this photo journey and glimpses into veterans' innermost thoughts, we were able to better understand this chapter of America's history, and appreciate the great sacrifices made by Union Parish soldiers and 2.7 million other U.S. troops.
​   We also learned how these veterans transitioned back to civilian life by working, returning to wives and children, going to school, finding love and marriage, or continuing in military service.

    We are deeply grateful to our corporate sponsors, Origin Bank and Enviro Rentals, and to Jeffery Marc Woods.  Their generosity made this event possible.  ​



Picture Twelve of the 19 honorees were able to be present for the "Defenders of Freedom" ceremony on June 17. They are shown here, along with several event planners and participants. Each honoree was presented with a medal and certificate of appreciation. ( Photo courtesy Annie Sharp Berry)
​"Defenders of Freedom" ceremony honors WWII vets 
 
   It was an afternoon of remembrance, gratitude, and praise as 19 local World War II veterans were honored for their service with a special ceremony that also officially opened the "Pelican State Goes to War" exhibit in the Union Museum.  Stars of the occasion on June 17, 2019, were military veterans Russell Adams, Norwood Albritton, Willis Andrews, C.C. Bayles, Jr., John Grady Culpepper, James Hubert Franklin, Richard Jones, L.B. Knighton, L.J. Laster, Harry Maroney, James M. Newsom, Billy Ross O'Bannon, Raymond Odom, Jim Pardue, Jack Edsel Peppers, M.O. Porter, Jack Taylor, James Wilbur Upshaw; and munitions factory veteran Dorothy Golden Smith.  Each honoree received a Defender of Freedom medal and certificate of appreciation. The setting for the ceremony was the lobby of Origin Bank, which was filled with some 100 family, friends and community leaders eager to honor the veterans who gave so much for their country during the perilous times of World War II. 
     Speaking about each honoree's service were Jerry W. Taylor, Union Parish Police Jury president; M. Stein Baughman, Jr., Town of Farmerville mayor; Jay Snell, Marion State Bank; and Tim Tettleton, Origin Bank.  Emcee was Brittany Unkel, Union Museum of History and Art board chair.
    A vast array of beautifully presented refreshments was ably provided by Women for Veterans, auxiliary of the local VFW post.  



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.”
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Early settlers, 1540-1850
For educators


"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.  


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