Ascension Parish Courthouse
This Romanesque revival style building was constructed in 1889 with finely detailed brick arches. The adjacent jail predates the courthouse by more than 20 years. Tours provide insight into this area’s significant history.
300 Houmas Street
P.O. Box 192
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Contact: Bridget Hanna
Phone: 225-473-9866 ext. 212
Hours: By appointment only
Admission: No
Tour Length: 30 min. to 1 hour
Group Size (Min/Max): 20
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church
Beautiful cathedral-like structure built in the late 1800’s, serving the Church parish established in 1772 after which Ascension civil parish is named. Originally a mission to serve the growing community of Acadians and evangelize the nearby Native Americans; the largest and one of the most historic cemeteries in the area.
716 Mississippi Street
P.O. Box 508
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Contact: Louis “Boo” LeBlanc or
Dana Schexnayder
Phone: 225-473-3176 or
225-473-3544
Fax: 225-473-3256
Hours: By appointment
Admission: No
Tour Length: 45 min. to 1 1/2 hours
Group Size (Min/Max): 5-50
River Road African American Museum
The River Road African American Museum collects, preserves and exhibits art, artifacts and buildings as it is related to the history and culture of African Americans in the rural communities along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The museum includes a campus of buildings located in the beautiful downtown historic district of Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The building pictured here was the home of retired teacher and organist Sylvia Watkins. For more information visit www.africanamericanmuseum.org.
406 Charles Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Contact: Kathe Hambrick
Phone: 225-474-5553
By Appointment Only
Admission: Yes
Tour Length: 30 min.
Historic B. Lemann & Bro. Building
Circa 1877-B. Lemann & Brothers (1836), is the oldest family-oriented department store in the state of Louisiana. Built in the Italianate style, with arched windows and brackets, it is constructed of brick and stucco, with molded pilasters and window details. The fluted cast-iron colonnettes, with leaf capitols, support the gallery which extends the width of the sidewalks on three sides. James Freret, noted architect of that time, designed this historic building.
318 Mississippi Street
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: 225-675-6550
Drive By Only
Historic Fort Butler Commemorative Site
A pivotal Civil War site, engineered by West Point, built to guard the confluence of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche, a major outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. It was a star-shaped, log-and-earth construction, built and defended by area African-American Slaves turned soldiers. It is now the site of an annual re-enactment. Guided tours of the future site of Fort Butler and other Civil War sites can be arranged.
Veterans Blvd.
Donaldsonville, LA
Mail: 3589 Highway 1
Napoleonville, LA 70390
Contact: Andrew Capone
Phone: 985-369-1950
acapone@charter.net
www.fortbutler.com
Fee for Guided Tours
Tour Length: 1 hour to full day
Group Size (Min/Max): 15+
Tee Joe Gonzales Museum
Come experience a step back in time! Tour the home of the founding father of Gonzales. The home sits on the original site along New River.
217 West Main
Gonzales, La. 70737
Contact: Lisa Babin
Phone: 225-647-9549
Fax: 225-647-9557
Hours: By appointment only
Admission: No
Tour Length: As needed or with guide (30-45 min.)
Group Size (Min/Max): 20-25
The Ascension Parish Tourism Commission does not independently verify information contained within this website and does not warrant the quality or reputation of the services or products offered.