Major exhibit areas deal with Native Americans, Louisiana geography, politics, health care, farming, and the impact of war.

The building was constructed solely for the advancement of culture and learning in by Caldwell Brothers (contractors), and Crosby & Henkel of New Orleans (architects).

It replaced an earlier library that was burned by General Nathaniel Banks' federal troops on May 13, 1864.

Remodeled in 1970, restored as a Bicentennial project in 1976, and again in 2003, it now houses (upstairs) one of the largest genealogical libraries in Louisiana.

[2] The Louisiana History Museum was begun in 1971 by Angelique Stafford "Gic" Kraushaar.