Shreveport, art and gambling

LA State Exhibit Museum

Our first glimpse of a paddle-wheel riverboat casino on the Red River.










Shreveport, Louisiana on the edge of the Red River...named for the steamboat captain, Henry Miller Shreve, who opened the river up in 1839 - from a logjam called "The Great Raft" - 150 miles of logs clogging the Red River and leaving it virtually un-navigable.

 

We spent a couple of hours touring the Louisiana State Exhibit on the state Fairgrounds. Built in 1939, it is a Smithsonian affiliate and was really beautifully done, with these dioramas that present “Louisiana in Miniature", covering the history of  people, industry and economy, culture and natural resources of this state. From the Caddo natives to the present day oil and gas exploration, the displays captured our attention.

 

Along with the state history there is a large area devoted to original letters and documents "Autographing History" from the 1700's (Lewis & Clark) to the 1800's (T. Jefferson) that have been donated by the collectors Charles E and Gloria B. Meyer.

 

 

Sitting bull and General Custer above.             Daniel Boone above.

 

 

The sunken, circular map, which measures 49 feet in circumference, was created by internationally noted sculptor Duncan Ferguson, is located just inside the entrance.

 

If you find yourself hungry, as we did and having asked for a recommendation, we ventured into the "depressed" industrial area to eat at Herby K's....managed by his granddaughter, this 'diner' has been in the same location for 77 years. We had the house specialties: gumbo/etouffee and jumbo shrimp.

The diner has been "expanded" by enclosing the patio. The original space

here, has 9 counter stools and 4 booths -- that in a pinch will seat 24.

The food was very good, the staff friendly, service was good and we would willingly go back.

 Next up...an art museum. We checked our GPS and were directed to one on the campus of Centenary College -

Meadows Museum of Art

Really exquisite art on display...
"Our permanent holdings includes Indochina Collection of Jean Despujols. This comprehensive Collection represents the aesthetic achievements of a variety of world cultures and includes works by George Grosz, Emilio Amero, Mary Cassatt and Alfred Maurer. Additionally, the Meadows Museum of Art has received a copy of The Triumphal Arch of Maximiliian I by Northern Renaissance artist and engraver Albrecht Durer." (from http://www.centenary.edu/meadows)

 

and some of whimsy.

Marion Davis "Games On" 2011

 

 Gambling in Louisiana, for the most part, must be on the river. Hence the casinos are on riverboats and all the other services are built adjacent and on the river bank.  My total outlay = $0. By obtaining a "players" card with $5 to spend from the management, I was able to parlay that into winnings.

 

 YES! <cough>winner<cough>

 

 Hey, it helped pay for lunch.

 

~ Ciao