"The new State Archives building provides Louisiana with an archival facility unparalleled in this country," says internationally recognized Baton Rouge architect John Desmond.
  Designed to be a symbol of Louisiana history as well as a storehouse for valuable documents and materials, the handsome state of the art building has the most advanced available temperature, humidity and light controls to ensure proper preservation of valuable historical records and items stored there.
  A massive three story concrete vault at the core of the building will protect its contents from any disaster, including nuclear radiation, while a sophisticated security program makes the building and vaults nearly impregnable to vandalism.
  Highlighting the exterior of the building a five paneled sculptured facade offers a panoramic overview of Louisiana's cultural heritage during the past four centuries.
  Created by Southern University professor and nationally known sculptor, Al LaVergne, these panels depict Louisiana history through designs, figures and symbols which recognize ethnic background — Indian, French, Spanish, Black, German, American, etc. — and illuminate social and economic transition.
  The first two panels illustrate the periods of French and Spanish exploration and colonial rule. Panel I features: the first permanent settlement in Louisiana, Fort St. John Baptiste de Natchitoches; early explorers DeSoto and LaSalle; and colonial leaders Bienville and Iberville.
  Panel II shows: Spanish governor O'Reilly; financier John Law; a black iron worker and a slave market; traitors executed by a firing squad; Evangeline and the Oak; and the Cabildo.
  Panel III features the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.
  Panel IV sketches the Civil War era: the U.S. Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision; the 1861 Secession; the Confederate flag; and in 1872, the first Black governor to serve Louisiana.
  Panel V focuses on the modem era: Huey P. Long; the new State Capitol; L.S.U.; the Superdome;
and cultural heritages such as blues, jazz and Cajun music.
  The building interior features a document display room paneled with redheart cypress, a wood sawn from logs dredged from beneath Louisiana bayous and no longer available on the open market. Here will be displayed historical records and papers drawn from State Archives holdings and private collections, including original acts of the Legislature, Civil War materials, colonial documents and a variety of private papers.
  An adjoining display gallery will offer exhibits of topical interest on loan from other institutions throughout the state and nation.

click here to view the process of creating the panels