[StBernard] History Lives Again at Chalmette Battlefield’s Battle of New Orleans Events

[Westley Annis]

History Lives Again at Chalmette Battlefield’s Battle of New Orleans Events

 

CHALMETTE, LA.: Remember the heroes of 1815 as over 100 living history experts in period dress mark the 199th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield, 8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, Louisiana. Explore the visitor center, hear the roar of cannons, and meet soldiers and civilians preparing for the last major battle of the War of 1812. More information is available at 504-281-0510 or at http://www.nps.gov/jela/battle-of-new-orleans-anniversary.htm. 

On the schedule: 

 

Wreath-laying ceremony at Chalmette Battlefield – Wednesday, January 8, 10:00 a.m. Free. British and American troops gather at Chalmette Monument to honor the men who fought at the Battle of New Orleans. Park at the battlefield. 

 

Anniversary event at Chalmette Battlefield – Friday-Saturday, January 10-11, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. Living history experts dressed as civilians and troops from 1815 share their stories, fire cannons and muskets, and explain the importance of the battle in American history. All public parking will be at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette; restrooms and tourism information will be available. Free shuttles will run continuously between parking area and battlefield. Exceptions: school buses on registered field trips may drop off and pick up passengers at the battlefield; vehicles with handicapped parking tags may park at the battlefield. 

 

Skirmish reenactment– Friday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. Free. St. Bernard Parish and the Louisiana Living History Foundation present a reenactment of the night battle of December 23, 1814. Reenactment takes place at Sydney D. Torres Memorial Park with public parking at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette (park is directly behind complex parking area); restrooms and tourism information available in complex. 

 

Lantern Tour at Chalmette Battlefield – Saturday, January 11, beginning at 5:45 p.m. By advance ticket only. Guided tours by lantern light walk through American and British camps on the “night before the battle.” First tour begins at 5:45 p.m.; last tour begins at 7:15 p.m. Tours last about 90 minutes including shuttle travel time from the offsite parking area. Tickets cost $6 (children 5 and under free) and will be on sale beginning Tuesday, December 3, at the battlefield visitor center (open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; cash or checks only); see the park website www.nps.gov/jela for information on ordering tickets by mail. Limited number of tickets available; no tickets will be sold at the door. All public parking will be at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette; restrooms and tourism information will be available. Free shuttle buses will transport tour groups to and from the battlefield. 

 

Second Annual Battle of New Orleans Historical Symposium at Nunez Community College Auditorium (3710 Paris Road, Chalmette) – Friday and Sunday, January 10 and 12, 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Free; no registration required. Lectures provide entertaining, academic perspective of the battle and surrounding events. Park at the auditorium. More information at 504-512-5120. 

 

Visitors are welcome to bring picnic lunches to daytime events at the battlefield. No food will be available at the battlefield but bottled water will be on sale. Chalmette Battlefield is managed by the National Park Service as one of six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The battlefield grounds are open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. except as noted above. Admission to the site is free. For more information, call 504-281-0510 or visit www.nps.gov/jela. 

www.nps.gov