NEW ORLEANS — Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum announce the opening of Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the historic Cabildo in Jackson Square. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of American independence, the exhibition examines Louisiana’s often-overlooked but pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.
Featuring rare artifacts, period documents, and original research, the exhibition highlights the leadership of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and the diverse coalition of Spanish soldiers, Creole settlers, Indigenous allies, Acadian refugees, Canary Islanders, and free Black militia members who helped weaken British control along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River. From covert supply operations in New Orleans to decisive military campaigns, the exhibition illustrates how Louisiana served as a strategic stronghold for the American cause.
The exhibition is presented at the Cabildo, a historic site built during Spanish rule and later the location of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer, making it a fitting setting to explore Spain’s influence on the Revolutionary era. Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution will be on view through May 15, 2027, during regular Cabildo hours, with standard admission of $11.