Our National Historical Park's scheduled facelift - in time for the 200th year anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, 2014-2015.
As more and more residents move past looking at things that still look like "katrina", one of the many restoration and rebuild projects we can all look forward to enjoying is at our own national historical park in Chalmette. Soon to be under new management, these changes will result in a dynamic park and an operation which adds to our economic development. Preliminary organization of a "Friends of...." Auxiliary is underway, with more information, soon.
Every effort is being made by the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve for safe public access as each phase of the rebuild allows. Some residents may have noticed progress in the brick wall restoration at the National Cemetery. With an expected completion date of February 2010, the brick wall restoration should coincide with the cleaning and restoring of grave markers, through the efforts of a National Preservation group from Natchitoches, LA.
The National Parks Service (NPS) announced the Battlefield's new Visitor's Center has been contracted, with expected completion date of Fall 2010. The new Visitor Center will be in the same footprint, but twice the size--- 3500 square feet. A recent press release from NPS stated, “During construction, the historic Malus-Beauregard House on the battlefield grounds will serve as a temporary visitor center, open 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. " " An architect’'s rendering of the new Visitor Center and a map of closures and parking are available on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/jela/new-chalmette-battlefield-visitor-center.htm (credit National Park Service if published). Construction progress will be updated regularly on the website."
Malus-Beauregard House restoration is complete, including porch and upper level.
Climbing the monument will be limited during construction. Also due to construction, the earliest 'official' re-opening date for the Self - Guided Driving Loop is February 2010, with the latest expected opening date of August 2010. The NPS is making every effort to move towards the earlier date, as residents are eager to re-embrace their National Park at Chalmette.
The General Management Plan and Development Concept Plan for Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve at Chalmette should public notice soon, with public comments timeline. Residents may request an electronic copy at jela_superintendent@nps.gov
Photos and story line submitted by 'boats'. Photos from recent visit to Battlefield with relatives from Monroe, who are accustomed to our family visiting them for mandatory "evacucations". Since we havent had any yet this hurricane season, our relatives visited St Bernard Parish and the National Battlefield at Chalmette.
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