Independent Research
Independent Research: The Humanities Challenge
This activity challenges students to take a serious, critical look at Louisiana's Old State Capitol as a historical artifact that reflects the humanity of the people who built it, and asks them to justify the effort it takes to keep it open to the public today. The end product will be to design an affordable campaign using social media and/or other devices that will convince the general public of the importance of preserving this artifact into the future.
Take the Humanities Challenge:
Step One: Reach out to the Educator at the Old State Capitol at ckennedy@sos.la.gov to begin.
Step Two: Tour the site or use the online videos in lieu of visiting in person.
Step Three: Create a campaign to justify the Old State Capitol’s continued place in the future that will communicate your message to your generation using poetry, song, posters, exhibit, text campaigns, social media, etc. Be creative! Your final project could become part of an upcoming exhibition at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol! You may also be given the opportunity to present your project at Louisiana's Old State Capitol! Your campaign may focus on one aspect of the complex, such as the historic fence, or the Merci Train.
National Historic Landmark: This National Park Service site lists National Historic Landmarks throughout the country, including Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.
National Register of Historic Places: The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation.
Old State Capitol – Brief History from Know Louisiana (LEH)
This program is funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
