The Jeanerette Bicentennial Museum will expand its Harry Peterson Museum Annex to almost double its current size. Construction on the annex will begin this summer and should be completed by fall.
Funding for the expansion of the museum was received through Louisiana's Visitor Enterprise Fund in 2010. After plans were drafted and the bid process began, the museum became one step closer to realizing its dream of a larger building.
"Construction is not expected to interrupt the everyday use of the museum," said Andre Rosamond, museum board chair."Programs will continue to be offered to the public during this time."
The new open layout of the museum addition will allow the museum to have the space it so badly needs to host traveling exhibits and special events, Rosamond said.
"The museum has hosted two Smithsonian exhibits along with several local exhibits," said Gail Garcia, museum board vice chair.
"We are looking forward to the expansion to be able to comfortably seat larger crowds for important history talks and programs," she said.
The museum is already planning for its annual Jeanerette Museum Day Live! which will take place on Oct. 19 and several history talks which will be held from August through November, she added.
Jeanerette Museum Day Live! will host arts and crafts on the museum grounds, live music, free admission and free tours of the museum.
For more information on the museum or its programming, visit them online at www.jeanerettemuseum.com; email them at jeanerettemuseum@yahoo.com or call 337-276-4408.
The museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
