in area history: the first black elementary school in Ascension Parish, the meeting house of an early African-American insurance agency, and the African Plantation house, owned by the first African-American doctor in the parish. Programs The museum has developed exhibits about black inventors, jazz musicians, and community and political leaders from the area. Another exhibit was about the free people of color in the parish, developed from census and town records. The museum has a strong collection of artifacts and memorabilia from plantations along the River Road from New Orleans; some donated by the plantations; other material donated by individuals from their own families. It also hosts traveling exhibits from other venues, frequent educational programs and workshops in culture. See also Rural African American Museum, Opelousas List of museums focused on African Americans Notes External links The Museum website Louisiana African-American Heritage Trail African-American history of Louisiana Louisiana African American Heritage Trail History of Louisiana African-American museums in Louisiana Museums in Ascension Parish, Louisiana History museums in Louisiana Donaldsonville, Louisiana Museums established in 1994 1994 establishments in Louisiana