The Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center is on the historic North Main Street in the heart of Opelousas’s downtown. In April 1992, the museum opened to the public with the help of community donations and under the leadership of John Joseph, the first Black Mayor of Opelousas.
The museum’s mission is to educate the public on the culture and history of the Opelousas area. In 2020, the museum closed due to the Global Pandemic. Subsequently, Patrice Melnick became the museum director, and the museum added new board members in 2021.
Melnick is a writer who specializes in grant writing. “I write grants and press releases, develop exhibits, and through programming, strive for inclusivity, she explains, and my skills as a writer contribute to my success as a museum director; experiences in the museum contribute to my writing material.”
After the reopening, Melnick and passionate Louisiana Creoles collaborated to cater to the needs and wants of the community. “The museum has always provided diversity, but as the museum began to provide deeper stories of Creole history—which reflects the majority of the residents—visitors grew more involved,” Melnick said.
Positive Community Impact
Although a small and quaint building, the museum is filled with timeless Louisiana Creole and Louisiana history and artifacts. Visitors quickly learn how important Opelousas was and still is to Louisiana.
Since reopening, impactful exhibits like Negro Farmers of St. Landry Parish (curated by Marie Marcel), Talented Arts and Visual Program of St. Landry Parish, and Visual Art Exhibit by Ke’Shawn Collins, encouraged locals to support and share stories.
Many seem to appreciate seeing Creole culture acknowledged in images, stories, a timeline, and artifacts such as an old banjo or a rosary. These visitors share their own stories, which I appreciate. Some enjoy finding their hometown on the map of Free People of Color Communities. Others enjoy writing their own definition of Creole on the interactive display.
Permanent exhibits and rooms include the Civil War room, the Geraldine Smith Welch Doll Collection room of over 400 dolls, The Rod Milburn exhibit, the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Archives, and the Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish from 1700 to the Present exhibit.
“I was grateful for the support from artists, genealogists, historians, and folks who just love Opelousas, says Melnick. And local friends were game for the variety of programming like the Story Exchange, and Native American dancing. Residents have been great, spreading the word, and encouraging their families and friends to visit.”
Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish Exhibit
Melnick genuinely believes learning Creole culture and history is vital because it is the foundation of modern-day Louisiana.
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, ANHA, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and St. Landry Parish Tourism funded the exhibit.
On opening day, insightful guest speakers were Mrs. Etha Simien Amling, Ms. Vivian Broussard Guillory, and Alex Lee. Melnick shared that this exhibit holds the strongest positive impact on visitors. “The Free People of Color Exhibit has the most impact for a couple of reasons: It uncovers a narrative that has for too long remained hidden. The exhibit connects to residents and informs curious travelers. The Exhibit acknowledges a culture that laid the groundwork for contemporary Louisiana life including music, food, and language.”
To help the exhibit’s impact, St. Landry Parish residents donated photos, artifacts, and their family stories.
Prominent FPOC in St. Landry Parish descended from the Donatos, Lemelles, Ozennes, Meullions, and other Creole families.
At the exhibit opening, three genealogists gave presentations on families that were featured in the exhibit. As visitors celebrated the exhibit, many took out their phones to share family photos with each other and identify family connections. The exhibit has attracted people from as far away as California and Atlanta, who return to their St. Landry Parish. It is gratifying to see people connect as they study the image and sometimes see familiar family names.
Expansion and what’s next
What started as a one-woman show now includes a team including an archivist, interns, and associates. With more helping hands, the museum is expanding its usage to the community. For Melnick, the museum must promote inclusivity and racial equality. Earlier this year, they took part in an exclusive convening sponsored by the Smithsonian titled, “Museums Advancing Racial Justice.”
She gives special acknowledgement to Herman Fusilier (Director of St. Landry Parish Tourism), Christopher Robert, Mrs. Amling, Shawana Johnson, Lena Charles, and Milton Arceneaux.
Upcoming events are a Chanuka Party, Ask an Archivist Day, and a documentary initiative showcasing Opelousas neighborhoods.
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