In 1940 and 1941, central Louisiana hosted the largest military exercises in American history. The Louisiana Maneuvers sent Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, and Ridgway through these piney woods. Camp Beauregard, the National Guard training post where the museum now stands, occupies ground with its own earlier chain of command: the site of the Louisiana Seminary of Learning & Military Academy, where Sherman served as superintendent when the first academic session opened on January 2, 1860. The museum's collections trace Louisiana military history from the colonial period through modern Guard operations. Among the stories preserved here is that of the 761st Tank Battalion, the all-Black armored unit nicknamed Patton's Panthers that trained at Camp Beauregard. Today the installation serves as headquarters for the 225th Engineer Brigade, one of the largest engineer units in the U.S. Army. Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Camp Beauregard is an active military installation; visitors should bring identification.
- ·Site of the 1940–41 Louisiana Maneuvers — the largest military exercises in American history.
- ·Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, and Ridgway all trained in these piney woods.
- ·Camp Beauregard stands on the grounds of Sherman's prewar Louisiana Seminary of Learning.
- ·The 761st Tank Battalion, an all-Black unit nicknamed Patton's Panthers, trained here.
- ·Collections span colonial Louisiana through modern Guard operations.
- ·Free admission. Open Tue–Fri 9am–5pm. Located on an active military base; ID may be required.
Memories
Nearby
Editorial content compiled with AI assistance. Place details verified against public records.