[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish Officials Celebrate the Grand Opening of The Old Arabi Sugar Museum

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish Officials Celebrate the Grand Opening of The Old Arabi
Sugar Museum

 

St. Bernard Parish is celebrating its great sugar history with the grant
opening of The Old Arabi Sugar Museum, a series of exhibits showcasing more
than 200 years of sugar planting, production, and processing.   St. Bernard
Parish President David E. Peralta was joined by State Representative Ray
Garofalo, Tourism Director Katie Tommaseo, Tourist Commission members and
Chamber members for the ribbon-cutting at 220 Hernandez Street, Arabi. 

 

The museum features a timeline of the sugarcane industry along the interior
walls, focusing on individuals, plantations, and industrial advances unique
to St. Bernard Parish.  It includes a detailed look into the refining
processes taking place at one of the world's largest sugar refineries, the
Domino plant here in Arabi.  Donated artifacts and digital media feature
some of the most interesting facts in sugar history.  The remaining jail
cell is being developed as a special display about the Historic Old Arabi
districts.


The First Ward Justice Courthouse and Jail (aka Old Arabi Jail) is believed
to have been built in 1911 and functioned as a courthouse and local jail for
several decades.  Renovations were made in 1985 and 2012 to restore and
preserve the historic building.  In addition to housing The Old Arabi Sugar
Museum exhibits, the Old Arabi Jail will continue to be used as a special
event, reception, and community meeting space.


The Old Arabi Sugar Museum will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. or by special appointment, with admission starting at the
Aycock Barn Visitor Information Center, located at 409 Aycock St.  For more
information, please contact the St. Bernard Office of Tourism at
504-278-4242 or by email at info at visitstbernard.com
<mailto:info at visitstbernard.com> .