Skip to Main Content

Hammond, Louisiana: Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archive

Address:
S. Walnut St., Hammond, LA
Directions:
I-12 exit 40. Drive north on US Hwy 51 BUS/Railroad Ave. for one mile. Turn right at the stoplight onto Old Covington Hwy. Drive a half-mile. Turn left onto S. Chestnut St. Drive two blocks. Turn right onto E. Louisiana Ave. Drive one block. You'll see the sculpture yard on the left, at the corner of S. Walnut St.
Phone:
504-931-5744
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum.

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum

Folk art environment in the yard of Dr. Charles Smith, chronicling African-American history with hundreds of his hand-made sculptures. If you're lucky, Dr. Charles will come out and talk with you.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [08/10/2014]
The Slave Boy and Dr. Smith

Folk artist Dr. Charles Smith was so upset by a town's apathy over a forgotten slave, that he moved there and built a tribute.

Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Visitor Tips and News About Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Dr. Smith Afro American Museum

It seems many of the artifacts were damaged by a storm. Access was blocked and the paths were strewn with trash.

[J. Cademartori, 04/20/2022]

Dr. Charles Smith was recently in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, delivering 200 of his sculptures to the Art Preserve museum there. The messy appearance in Hammond is probably the aftermath of that move. Smith, age 81, has vowed to keep making art.

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum.

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum

I stopped by when working in Hammond. I was a little disappointed when I arrived that the pathways into the sculpture garden were blocked with chicken wire, but I could still get a good look at everything (its the size of a smaller-side suburban yard). But then Dr. Smith himself came out to put his trash out while wearing a custom black-painted military helmet. We talked for about an hour about his philosophies (he has a really infectious laugh!) before he gave me an unsolicited autograph and I went on my way. So if you get there and can't get in, I'd walk around and get a good look at everything; he might come out and talk to you.

[Rachel Salansky, 07/02/2019]

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum.

Dr. Charles Smith African-American Heritage Museum

Very odd, and nothing really stating if the "museum" was also on the inside of the home or just in the yard. Only drove by as the yard was enough to see. It is strangely located in a residential area.

[Mallory Billings, 02/22/2015]

Pretty much all outdoors, and passersby can respectfully examine the sculptures. If you call ahead, Dr. Charles Smith may be available to explain it all in person.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Giant StrawberryGiant Strawberry, Ponchatoula, LA - 4 mi.
World's Largest Ronald Reagan StatueWorld's Largest Ronald Reagan Statue, Covington, LA - 21 mi.
Abita Brewery Tours and BeerAbita Brewery Tours and Beer, Abita Springs, LA - 24 mi.
In the region:
Big Catfish and Pole, Des Allemands, LA - 48 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Louisiana Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights