https://www.nps.gov/jela News releases from Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. en-us https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/50-anniversary-american-folklife-center.htm Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:33:00 EST New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve will host a free event on April 14 and 15 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/50-anniversary-american-folklife-center.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2026-03-20-opportunities-for-invasive-species-management.htm Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:58:00 EST The National Park Service is expanding opportunities for qualified volunteers and permitted participants to assist with the management and humane removal of invasive and overabundant species at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Louisiana, and Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2026-03-20-opportunities-for-invasive-species-management.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-improvements.htm Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:30:00 EST Beginning February 2, 2026, parts of the Barataria Preserve, including the visitor center and most trails, will be temporarily closed for construction projects. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-improvements.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2026.htm Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:00:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve announces parkwide programs for the 211th commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2026.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/wreaths-2025.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:20:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is pleased to announce the return of Wreaths Across America to the park. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/wreaths-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2025-spring-in-the-swamp.htm Tue, 01 Apr 2025 11:47:00 EST Feast your Irises on the official schedule for Spring in the Swamp! Join us at Barataria Preserve for these free programs, open to all. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2025-spring-in-the-swamp.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/rebecca-lasell-named-superintendent-of-jean-lafitte-national-historical-site-and-preserve-and-new-orleans-jazz-national-historical-park.htm Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:00:00 EST Mark Foust, Regional Director of the National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf, announced today the appointment of Rebecca Lasell as the new superintendent for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/rebecca-lasell-named-superintendent-of-jean-lafitte-national-historical-site-and-preserve-and-new-orleans-jazz-national-historical-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2025.htm Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:06:00 EST The commemoration of the 210th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, will take place January 8th, 10th, and 11th, 2025, at Chalmette Battlefield. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/great-river-road-study-release.htm Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:49:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) published today a historic context study of an eleven-mile stretch of the Great River Road along the west-bank of the Mississippi River located in west St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/great-river-road-study-release.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/news-release-date-october-3-2024.htm Thu, 03 Oct 2024 07:13:00 EST The National Park Service is reclaiming seven oil and gas well sites within the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA). This work entails the removal of surface equipment and debris, and replugging and abandonment of the wells. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/news-release-date-october-3-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/tropical-storm-francine.htm Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:48:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park to close due to Tropical Storm Francine. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/tropical-storm-francine.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/great-river-road-comment-extended.htm Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:21:00 EST The National Park Service extended the deadline to comment on the draft Historic Context Study and Survey Report of Great River Road, with comments now due by August 30. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/great-river-road-comment-extended.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/pacc-roof-project.htm Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:34:00 EST The National Park Service is pleased to announce the start date for the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center roof project in Eunice, LA. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/pacc-roof-project.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2024-cultural-exchange.htm Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:21:00 EST Join us this June when African American elders and young culture-keepers representing Louisiana’s Easter Rock and Georgia’s Gullah Geechee Ring Shout traditions come together for the first time on one stage. They will share with the public Black spiritual practices that date back to our nation’s antebellum era. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2024-cultural-exchange.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/lmdi-2024.htm Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:41:00 EST The National Park Service announces that the application period for 2024 Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative grants will run from April 15 - May 31. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/lmdi-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2024-trail-environmental-assessment.htm Tue, 19 Mar 2024 09:13:00 EST Jean Lafitte NHP&P released the draft Trail Improvements at Barataria Preserve environmental assessment (EA) for public review. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2024-trail-environmental-assessment.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/carville-exhibit.htm Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:33:00 EST Acadian Cultural Center to host special exhibit and panel discussion about the Carville Leprosarium, also known as the Gillis W. Long Hansen’s Disease Center. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/carville-exhibit.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2024.htm Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:39:00 EST The commemoration of the 209th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans will take place January 5, 6, and 8, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2022-park-economics.htm Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:12:00 EST Report shows visitor spending supports 281 jobs in nearby communities. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2022-park-economics.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-preserve-trails-open-house-2023.htm Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:54:00 EST Barataria Preserve will host an open house and public information session on proposed repairs to the Preserve's trail system. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-preserve-trails-open-house-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/living-history-days-2023.htm Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:52:00 EST The Chalmette Battlefield to hold Living History Days on April 22nd and May 6th, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/living-history-days-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/festival-international-2023.htm Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:22:00 EST The Acadian Cultural Center will sponsor the performances and presenters on “La Galerie” stage for Festival International de Louisiana in 2023. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/festival-international-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/spring-in-the-swamp-2023.htm Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:39:00 EST The Barataria Preserve to hold Spring in the Swamp, a weekend of free fun for nature lovers and families on the preserve’s Visitor Center and Bayou Coquille trails. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/spring-in-the-swamp-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2023.htm Fri, 30 Dec 2022 09:45:00 EST The commemoration of the 208th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans will take place Friday, January 6 through Sunday, January 8, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-public-comment-2022.htm Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:57:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve invites the public to comment on a draft Environmental Assessment, which evaluates Entergy's Golden-Meadow Barataria transmission line. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-public-comment-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-preserve-backfilling-canals.htm Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:33:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will begin the next phase of their efforts to backfill 12.75 miles of canals and their spoil deposits within the Barataria Preserve to restore more natural hydrology. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-preserve-backfilling-canals.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/youth-art-showcase-2022.htm Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:41:00 EST The Acadian Cultural Center is pleased to host its first annual Youth Art Showcase. Lafayette Parish students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/youth-art-showcase-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/fazendeville-documentary.htm Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:06:00 EST Jean Lafitte NHP participates in the “Battlegrounds: The Lost Community of Fazendeville" documentary. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/fazendeville-documentary.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jela-visitor-spending-effects-2021.htm Fri, 24 Jun 2022 04:58:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 273,499 visitors to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in 2021 spent $17.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 248 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $24.5 million. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jela-visitor-spending-effects-2021.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/bil-wells-2022.htm Fri, 27 May 2022 06:28:00 EST The National Park Service has received approximately $9.8 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to plug, remediate and reclaim abandoned oil and gas well sites in seven national parks. Overall, bureaus within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture will address 277 high-priority wells that pose threats to human health and safety, the climate, wildlife and natural resources. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/bil-wells-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/festival-international-2022.htm Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:00:00 EST The Acadian Cultural Center is pleased to sponsor the performances and presenters on “La Galerie” stage along with KATC for Festival International de Louisiane. “La Galerie “stage performances will take place April 29-May 1, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/festival-international-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/hurricane-ida-recovery.htm Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:36:00 EST Jean Lafitte NHP and Jazz NHP have received emergency funding assistance following Hurricane Ida. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/hurricane-ida-recovery.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2022.htm Thu, 23 Dec 2021 04:03:00 EST The 2022 Battle of New Orleans Commemoration at Chalmette Battlefield to occur in person. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2021.htm Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:53:00 EST The 2021 commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery will be held virtually this year. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/bono-2021.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/increase-access-11_2020.htm Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:39:00 EST New Orleans, LA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is increasing access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/increase-access-11_2020.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/increasing-access.htm Tue, 10 Nov 2020 06:30:00 EST New Orleans, LA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is increasing access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/increasing-access.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/zeta-park-closure.htm Tue, 27 Oct 2020 07:56:00 EST NEW ORLEANS, LA: All six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve as well as New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park will close beginning on October 27, 2020 at 4:30PM CDT, due to the threat of Hurricane Zeta. No decision has been reached as to a reopening date. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/zeta-park-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-chalmette-resume-pre-storm-operations.htm Sat, 10 Oct 2020 04:53:00 EST NEW ORLEANS, LA: Chalmette Battlefield and Barataria Preserve sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will resume pre-Hurricane Delta operations on Sunday, October 11th. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/barataria-chalmette-resume-pre-storm-operations.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/hurricane-delta-closure.htm Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:30:00 EST NEW ORLEANS, LA: All six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve as well as New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park will close beginning on October 6, 2020 at 5PM CDT, due to the threat of Hurricane Delta. No decision has been reached as to a reopening date. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/hurricane-delta-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/parks-closed-due-to-weather-sally.htm Mon, 14 Sep 2020 05:34:00 EST NEW ORLEANS, LA: All six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve as well as New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park will close beginning September 13, 2020 at 5PM CST, due to the threat of Tropical Storm Sally. No decision has been reached as to a reopening date. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/parks-closed-due-to-weather-sally.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2020-2021-hunting-season-dates.htm Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:26:00 EST Hunting date at the Barataria Preserve will follow Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) season for Area 9, as outlined by the State of Louisiana. Please refer to the LDWF website for information. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2020-2021-hunting-season-dates.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-closes-access-to-all-park-site-due-to-weather-events.htm Sun, 23 Aug 2020 09:11:00 EST Severe weather activity in the Gulf of Mexico has caused Jean Lafitte NHP&P to close access to both indoor and outdoor spaces at all six sites. They will be closed until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-closes-access-to-all-park-site-due-to-weather-events.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2020-08-22-increase-access-pr.htm Sat, 22 Aug 2020 10:30:00 EST Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is increasing access to parts of the Barataria Preserve and Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/2020-08-22-increase-access-pr.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-increases-recreational-access-to-chalmette-battlefield-site.htm Thu, 11 Jun 2020 07:20:00 EST Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Jean Lafitte is increasing recreational access. The park will permit vehicle access to Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily beginning Friday, June 12. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-increases-recreational-access-to-chalmette-battlefield-site.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-closes-barataria-preserve-to-implement-local-health-guidance.htm Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:53:00 EST As of Tuesday, March 31, Jean Lafitte has completely closed the park's Barataria Preserve in Marrero, including trails and boardwalks, to comply with state and local guidance regarding social distancing. https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-closes-barataria-preserve-to-implement-local-health-guidance.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:50:00 EST Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve officials announced that all park buildings are closed and all programs cancelled as of Tuesday, March 17, to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/jean-lafitte-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/new-superintendent-chuck-hunt.htm Mon, 17 Dec 2018 04:30:00 EST South Louisiana’s New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve welcomed new park superintendent, Charles E. “Chuck” Hunt in late November https://www.nps.gov/jela/learn/news/new-superintendent-chuck-hunt.htm