Louisiana State Museum to Debut America 250 Exhibit at Cabildo in Jackson Square

Exhibition highlights Louisiana's overlooked role in the American Revolution ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Louisiana State Museum will open a new exhibition titled "Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution" on March 8, 2026, at the historic Cabildo in New Orleans' Jackson Square. The exhibit will explore Louisiana's strategic role and the contributions of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and the state's diverse communities in securing American independence during the Revolutionary War.

Why it matters

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this exhibition aims to bring greater recognition to Louisiana's often overlooked but pivotal part in the nation's founding. The display at the Cabildo, a site of historical significance, underscores Spain's influential presence in Louisiana during the Revolutionary period.

The details

The exhibition will feature artifacts, documents, costumes, and research highlighting supply networks, military campaigns, and the roles of Spanish troops, Creole residents, Indigenous allies, Acadian refugees, Canary Islanders, and free Black militia members in Louisiana's support of the American fight for independence. Funding for the project comes from The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

  • The exhibition will open on March 8, 2026.
  • The exhibition will run through May 15, 2027.

The players

Bernardo de Gálvez

The Spanish governor of Louisiana who led military campaigns and supported the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.

Billy Nungesser

The lieutenant governor of Louisiana who announced the opening of the new exhibition.

The Louisiana State Museum

The museum that is hosting the new American Revolution exhibition at the Cabildo in New Orleans.

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What they’re saying

“As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, this exhibition invites visitors to experience a powerful and inspiring part of our shared story. Through the leadership of Bernardo de Gálvez and the courage of Louisiana's diverse communities, our state played a decisive role in securing American independence. Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution places Louisiana where it belongs – at the heart of the America 250 story and at the center of our shared national heritage.”

— Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (neworleanscitybusiness.com)

What’s next

A gala preview of the exhibition is scheduled for March 7, 2026, with proceeds benefiting the museum's educational programming tied to national America 250 commemorations.

The takeaway

This new exhibition at the Cabildo in New Orleans aims to shine a light on Louisiana's pivotal but often overlooked contributions to the American Revolution, underscoring the state's strategic importance and the diverse communities that supported the fight for independence. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the display provides a timely opportunity to expand public understanding of early American history.