• Image of swamp, bayou, and marsh

    Jean Lafitte

    National Historical Park and Preserve Louisiana

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  • Some Park Sites Closed May 17-18

    Staff from throughout the park will be at the Barataria Preserve for BioBlitz May 17-18 (you're invited too!). See how this will effect operations at other sites and learn more about BioBlitz by following the link. More »

History & Culture

A Civil War headstone with the name Lyons Wakeman on it

Sometimes remarkable stories are where you least expect to find them. This simple Civil War headstone at Chalmette National Cemetery marks the final resting place of a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for her country.
 

The six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve represent a treasure trove of south Louisiana's historical and cultural riches. People from nearly every country, ethnic group, language, and religion have come to the lower Mississippi River delta and left traces of their passing.

As author William Faulkner wrote, "The past is never dead. It's not even past." In south Louisiana, the places where history happened are around every corner and down every bayou, and the well-worn skills and traditions of previous generations are revered at the same time they're adapted for life in a new century.

Follow the People and Places links to find out more about history and culture at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

Follow the links below to learn about:

  • the Civil War
  • the War of 1812 bicentennial at the park and in the National Park Service.
  • the National Park Service's history e-library. The e-library contains historical and archeological reports, biographies, geological studies, and more. Go to "J" to find information related to the park or follow the links for historic themes, oral histories, and more.
  • history and culture throughout the National Park Service system.
  • the National Park Service's online museums.
 
  • War of 1812 Bicentennial War of 1812 Bicentennial

    200 years ago, the United States declared war on Great Britain. Learn about "the second war of independence" and how the park will commemorate it. Read More

  • Community Creations Community Creations

    See what schools and other groups are doing at Jean Lafitte! Read More

  • Investigators in Action Investigators in Action

    Find out what Jean Lafitte investigators are learning. Read More

Did You Know?

Young alligator crawls through vegetation.

Alligators have two eyelids! The second inner eyelid is clear and used like goggles while the alligator is under water. These amazing reptiles have been around since before the dinosaurs, and they are designed for life in the water.