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
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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]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
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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 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
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.
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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.