Discover Louisiana's Rural Past

The LSU Rural Life Museum is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of materials from the cultures of 18th and 19th century rural Louisianans.  Through the forethought and generosity of the Burden Family, the LSU Rural Life Museum remains intact for future generations. 

The LSU Rural Life Museum holds the largest collection of Louisiana vernacular architecture and the most extensive collection of material culture items from the 18th and 19th centuries.  The museum includes 32 historic outbuildings that spread over 25 acres and are divided into four sections:  the Working Plantation, the Upland South Region, the Gulf Coast Region, and an Exhibit Barn.

The tour of the LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens is a self-guided tour.  The museum is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm, closed New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  A tour of the museum takes a minimum of 2 hours.  A tour of Windrush Gardens takes about 30-45 minutes. 

Admission is charged for both the LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens, please see our Hours and Prices page for rates.

 


Corn Grinding Demonstrations

Upcoming Events

The LSU Rural Life Museum provides insight into the largely forgotten lifestyles and cultures of the 18th and 19th century Louisianans.  The museum has numerous  programs throughout the year. Our events have something for everyone. We have interpretive events with living history demonstrations, seasonal events around the holidays, and more.   For information on the latest event schedule, please see our Special Event page


Expanding Our Interpretation

In 2020, the LSU Rural Life Museum began the process of re-imagining the museum’s interpretation and engagement with LSU and the broader communities we serve. The result is a roadmap for the LSU Rural Life Museum to move forward in a way that is inclusive, meaningful and relevant to people’s lives today.  This could not have been accomplished without the assistance of Rouse Consulting and a broad base of stakeholders that included LSU administration, faculty and students; LSU Rural Life Museum staff and support organizations; and representation from various cultural, community and tourism groups in Louisiana and nationwide. 

If you would like to be a part of this museum’s growth and development, please email us. 

VIEW REPORT 

Polite's Basket