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Zachary Historic District
Eight buildings within a two block area comprise this community museum located in the historical downtown area of Zachary, Louisiana, offering a rare picture of neighborhood life in a small town from the waning years of the 19th century through the 1960's. Three dwellings, a barn, a carriage house,a pavilion, a Railroad Depot and the Old Town Hall with an adjacent fire house provide the setting for a leisurely walk down "Main Street USA". Withinview are several more (private) dwellings, the old movie theater, and the Zachary Bank. Visit daily, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and at other times by appointment.
History
The museum began its development when a prominent family donated the first of the eight buildings about 1975. The city of Zachary assumed the administration of the museum, and soon expanded the museum facility by reconstructing a barn (about 1980) near its original location, and acquiring two other dwellings and a carriage hosue. By 1990, the City of Zachary had turned over the Old Town Hall building to the museum, constructed a pavilion, and had acquired the depot to complete the collection of buildings. An additional home called the Annison House which was constructed about 1813 and modified in the mid-1800's, was donated to the museum by heirs of its last owners, and it is being restored for opening in 2010. The City of Zachary is located near the southern-most section of a region known as "The Plains", an area that figures prominently in the early history of Louisiana during such important events as the English and Spanish occupations, the West Florida Rebellion, and the Civil War. The museum is assuming a prominent role in the collection and interpretation of the history of the Plains area.
Zachary Historical District
Allison House
Built in 1898, the Allison House is the only house in Zachary Historic Village that was continuously occupied by the original owner, Andrew J. Allison, and his descendants until acquired by the City of Zachary for the Museum Complex. It also survived the devastating 1903 fire that burned most of the downtown commercial district in Zachary. The house is an American expression of the Italianate style of architecture, and is being restored to its original appearance inside and outside.
Bauman House
The Bauman House was owned originally by Leon Wolfe, who built the house for Morris Reinburg in 1901. The house was sold to Miss Henrietta E. “Sis” Bauman on July 22, 1952 for the price of only $3,755.95. The price included a “certain lot of household furniture, consisting of furnishings for two bedrooms and a dining roon. Although the smallest house in the Museum’s collection of period homes, this house, with its gingerbread trim and stained glass accents is certainly one of the most charming. Exhibits include a photographic history of Zachary.
McHugh House
The McHugh House was built in 1903 on the site of a former home claimed by the Great Fire. It’s unique floor plan is just one aspect of the home that marks it as a Queen Anne architectural styled structure. The very open floor plan would fit right into today’s popular home construction. The gingerbread trim, and the wrap-around front porch are other Queen Anne characteristics. Exhibits included several furniture and decorative items that were owned and donated, along with the house, to the City of Zachary by the McHugh Family.
Annison House
Built in approximately 1811, this is the oldest house, and the only one of the period homes owned by the City of Zachary that is not located in the downtown Village area. Located on Old Scenic Highway, this house is at the very southern edge of the area known as The Plains. It was a part of a large plantation that was originally a Spanish Land Grant, and had a succession of owners. It’s history of course includes the tumultuous period of the Civil War.
The Museum buildings also include the Depot, constructed prior to the 1903 fire, as well as the 1931 Old Town Hall Building, a garage, a barn and a pavilion.
Zachary Historic Village is located in the Virginia Street Historic District, which was recently included in the National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Parks Service. The houses along Virginia Street in the Zachary Historic Village are all of the Queen Anne style and are the only complete street of original houses without any modern structures in Louisiana.
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Artifacts Collections
Museum collections include period household furnishings; period public building furnishings; textiles and clothing; cotton industry artifacts and machinery; folk art and cultural artifacts; transportation and educational artifacts.
Research Collections
The museum holds an extensive archival collection of land documents and genealogical information.
Educational Programs
The museum works creatively with classroom teachers, librarians, and home schoolers to build exhibts to correlate to classroom activities and curriculum guidelines. Museum staff may be available to offer support and lectures for classes. We offer guided tours and activities, a pre-visit study guide, and a post-visit evaluation/quiz. Most such loans and activities are free of charge; some may have a refundable deposit.
Jean Byers
Historic Village
225-654-1912