News Release Distributed 08/08/11
MANSURA, La. – Exhibit enhancements are under way at the Louisiana 4-H Museum.
“The new pieces will create a dynamic, self-guided experience for museum visitors,” said museum coordinator Rose Anne St. Romain. “They will be completed by September 30.”
A new display is being crafted for the museum’s Clover Contributors, whose names will be listed on four-leaf clovers. “This will give recognition to individuals who have helped the museum grow,” St. Romain said. “Names of new contributors can be easily added.”
A timeline and digital image displays of historical events will provide insight into how the Louisiana 4-H program grew from a small corn club for boys in one parish to an organization that reaches more than 240,000 girls and boys statewide, she said.
Also, Frankie the 4-H Fox, an animatronic talking puppet who is the museum’s mascot, will get tweaked to make his presentation livelier.
A welcome panel will create an inviting entrance that previews exhibit areas and draws visitors into the museum, and another addition will feature a display encouraging visitors to join 4-H as youth, volunteers or contributors.
A diorama that depicts a parade will have 20 new display screens to feature images of 4-H members “learning by doing” over the years. Images also will invite visitors to a seek-and-find game to locate figures in the parade that represent Louisiana 4-H programs, camps and more.
The museum is located in a facility that also houses the Avoyelles Parish LSU AgCenter and Southern University extension offices and the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism at 8592 La. Highway 1 in Mansura.
The museum was located in Avoyelles Parish because the origin of Louisiana 4-H can be traced back to Moreauville High School, where about 300 boys gathered to learn new and better ways to plant corn in 1908.
A dozen people will be inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame on August 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the museum. Originally set for May, the event was postponed because of potential flooding problems. The inductees’ names and biographical sketches will be included in a permanent display at the museum.
The honorees will be Harry Chalkley, of Calcasieu Parish; Connie Comeaux, of Iberia Parish; James Dardeau, of Vermilion Parish; Deborah Dees, of DeSoto Parish; Angie Fusilier, of Evangeline Parish; Kellett Hathorn, of St. Tammany Parish; Merlin Jackson, of St. Charles Parish; Catherine Pedescleaux, of St. John the Baptist Parish; Leroy Robbins Jr., of East Baton Rouge Parish; William M. Schehr, of St. Bernard Parish; Mary Triche, of St. Charles Parish; and Stephen Young, of Bienville Parish.
Bruce Schultz