Crossroads & Connections: A Century of the Railway in Baton Rouge
On View October 1, 2025 Through October 1, 2026
Located in the The Republic Finance Gallery, Main 2 Gallery, Catwalk Gallery, Soupçon Gallery
he exhibition explores the historical significance of the railway system in Baton Rouge’s development, focusing on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Co. Depot, the building that now houses LASM.
Through photographs, artifacts, large-scale visuals, and interpretive storytelling, the exhibition will highlight the railway’s influence on transportation, commerce, and everyday life over the past century.
Exhibition elements include historical railway maps, architectural blueprints, model trains, and memorabilia from LASM’s collection. A key interactive feature, the “mailbag installation,” invites visitors to contribute personal reflections about the depot, creating a growing archive of shared community history. A digital kiosk will showcase these stories, providing an evolving and participatory experience. The exhibition also explores broader historical themes such as mobility, labor, and public access to transportation.
In collaboration with LSU Honors College, the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, Maxine Crump, and The Links, Inc., the project will include oral histories, student and outreach. A public lecture and educational programs will further engage visitors of all ages.
This exhibition reinforces LASM’s ongoing role as a community connector, bringing people together through shared history, art, and science. By transforming a former train depot into a cultural hub, LASM continues to honor its past while creating educational experiences that reflect and celebrate the people of Baton Rouge. By integrating historical research, public engagement, and interactive storytelling, Crossroads & Connections will deepen understanding of Baton Rouge’s railway heritage and its lasting influence on its cultural and economic landscape.
he exhibition explores the historical significance of the railway system in Baton Rouge’s development, focusing on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Co. Depot, the building that now houses LASM.
Through photographs, artifacts, large-scale visuals, and interpretive storytelling, the exhibition will highlight the railway’s influence on transportation, commerce, and everyday life over the past century.
Exhibition elements include historical railway maps, architectural blueprints, model trains, and memorabilia from LASM’s collection. A key interactive feature, the “mailbag installation,” invites visitors to contribute personal reflections about the depot, creating a growing archive of shared community history. A digital kiosk will showcase these stories, providing an evolving and participatory experience. The exhibition also explores broader historical themes such as mobility, labor, and public access to transportation.
In collaboration with LSU Honors College, the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, Maxine Crump, and The Links, Inc., the project will include oral histories, student and outreach. A public lecture and educational programs will further engage visitors of all ages.
This exhibition reinforces LASM’s ongoing role as a community connector, bringing people together through shared history, art, and science. By transforming a former train depot into a cultural hub, LASM continues to honor its past while creating educational experiences that reflect and celebrate the people of Baton Rouge. By integrating historical research, public engagement, and interactive storytelling, Crossroads & Connections will deepen understanding of Baton Rouge’s railway heritage and its lasting influence on its cultural and economic landscape.
Thank you to our sponsors
About the Exhibit
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