Union Museum of History and Art blog

"First Responders" exhibit, October 1 - Nov. 14, 2019

12/7/2019

Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville hosted a very special exhibit, “Honoring Those Who Serve and Protect: Union Parish First Responders, ” from October 1 to November 14. The exhibit featured photos, equipment, badges, awards, uniforms, news articles, tools, "jaws of life," etc. from current and past firefighters, lawmen, and other emergency responders. A special feature was the memorial tower honoring first responders who died in the line of duty.
A total of 323 visits were logged in! Everyone who viewed this fascinating exhibit came away with a greater appreciation of the hard work and sacrifices of our law officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. We are so grateful for their efforts to make Union Parish a safe place to live and work.
We send special thanks to these individuals and organizations that sponsored the First Responder exhibit: Keith Blackmon, The Dean of Flowers, Lance Futch, Sheriff Dusty Gates, Dottie Ames McConkey, Pafford Emergency Services, Union Parish Crime Stoppers, and Union Reserve Deputies Association.

"Defenders of Freedom" ceremony honors WWII vets June 17

8/13/2019

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 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.

"Pelican State Goes to War" exhibit, June 17 to July 27, 2019

8/13/2019

A traveling exhibit from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans was displayed in the Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville from June 17 to July 27. “The Pelican State Goes To War: Louisiana in World War II” exhibit chronicles the herculean effort of Louisianans to prepare the United States for war through pictures, artifacts and stories. Next stop for the exhibit is the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center in Lake Charles, where it will be on view from August 2 to October 19.
Sponsors of the Farmerville exhibit and associated events were Marion State Bank and Origin Bank, along with Farrar Funeral Home and the Union Parish Tourist Commission.
A total of 353 visitors viewed the local museum display, with 41% of those coming from outside Union Parish. In addition, five offsite events were held, drawing a total of 195 participants.
We send a big THANKS to everyone who helped and participated in any way. This is a community effort...YOU are important!

"Ag-mazing" exhibit now a great memory

5/21/2019

The “Ag-mazing Union Parish!” exhibit in the Union Museum of History and Art ended Wednesday, May 8. The display of photos, artifacts, art, and even a life-size model Jersey cow was available to tell the public about the vast influence of agriculture on our parish.
This one-of-a-kind exhibit was curated by Van Bennett and Brittany Bennett Canterberry, who gathered items from dozens of other farming families and organizations in the region. The exhibit was in memory of Velvet Bennett Roberts who envisioned and proposed this project in 2018.
Thanks to these generous sponsors of "Ag-mazing Union Parish!":
Ag Trader USA
Brittany's Originals
Denton Farms
Farm Bureau
First National Bank
Jason Holmes
Marion State Bank
Origin Bank
Read Lumber & Supply
Southern Ag Credit
T & C Rentals
Thomas Nursery & Feed

Union Parish educators recall classroom days

4/1/2019

Lights! Camera! Action!
A special documentary film recounting experiences of Union Parish educators is available for viewing on You Tube. This 45-minute film stars four Union Parish educators who also were students in local schools: Tommy Carr, Jackie Hill, Mike Lazenby, and Jennifer Wicker. Special thanks go to these four interviewees and to Charles Paxton, videographer and film producer. CLICK HERE to see the movie on You Tube.

Remembering "Mis Quince - My Sweet 15"

3/25/2019

March 25th, 2019

3/25/2019

Remembering "Mis Quince, My Sweet 15"

3/25/2019

Amazing Events Set for 2019

1/29/2019

What a year this will be! Union Museum of History and Art is proud to announce its lineup of exhibits and other events for 2019:

January 16-February 23: "Mis Quince - My Sweet 15" exhibit about the quinceanera tradition among Hispanic families of Union Parish. Curated by Mary Barrios, the exhibit features an beautiful and colorful array of gowns, dolls, and other memorabilia from the sacred and secular customs of girls' 15th birthday celebrations.

March 26 - May 7: "Ag-mazing Union Parish" exhibit about the local agriculture industry and its people. Curated by Brittany Bennett Canterberry and Van Bennett.

May 2: "Stars Over Broadway" dinner theater at Edgewood Plantation (Farmerville), featuring performance by O Sole Trio.

June 17 - July 28: "The Pelican State Goes to War" traveling exhibit from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

September - November: "They Serve and Protect" tribute to first responders of Union Parish

December 31st, 2018

12/31/2018

Art installation dedicated in Farmerville - December 2018
The "Fishing Fantasy" art installation designed by local mosaic artist Jamie Anderson was unveiled and publicly dedicated Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at its location on the south lawn of the Union Parish Courthouse in Farmerville. The Union Museum of History and Art led the project as a gift to the community. Second Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Jay McCallum and Farmerville Mayor M. Stein Baughman Jr. spoke briefly during the dedication ceremonies, emceed by museum board chairman Brittany Unkel.
The seven-foot tall concrete sculpture is sheathed in colorful glass pieces and depicts rippling blue waters, many-hued fish, and abundant sunshine so beloved in Union Parish.
The museum board is grateful to Anderson and others who made this project possible: the Union Parish Police Jury; James Gatson, concrete contractor; Brooke Foy, public art consultant; and all donors who purchased commemorative bricks.
This project was supported in part 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 Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Inc. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.”

Mosaic artist Jamie Anderson stands with her creation, "Fishing Fantasy"

Dedication ceremonies featured (L to R) Judge Jay McCallum, Farmerville Mayor M. Stein Baughman, Jr., artist Jamie Anderson, and museum board chairman Brittany Unkel