Battle of New Orleans Troops, Civilians Return To Chalmette Battlefield In January
Tuesday, 16 December 2008 12:19
bnocannon08_300.jpgChalmette Battlefield, one of six sites of Jean Lafiitte National Historical Park and Preserve, will welcome over 100 living history experts in period dress for the 194th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. The battlefield, site of the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, is located at 8606 West St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. More information is available at 504-589-2636 ext. 1 or at http://www.nps.gov/jela/battle-of-new-orleans-anniversary.htm.

Events scheduled for the anniversary are

  • Wreath-laying at Chalmette Monument, Thursday, January 8, 10:00 a.m. Free. A short ceremony will pay tribute to the men who fought at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. All parking for this event only is at the battlefield.
    194th anniversary commemoration, Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. National Park Service rangers and living history experts dressed as civilians and soldiers from 1815 will share their stories, fire cannons and muskets, and explain the importance of the battle in American history. Visitors can discuss tactics with the generals and learn the fine points of campfire cooking. On Saturday, the Kids Camp will offer uniforms to try on and 1815 games to play. Visitors may bring picnic lunches; no food or drinking fountains are available at the battlefield but bottled water will be on sale. Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse (see below); free shuttles run 9:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
  • Reenactment, Friday, January 9, 7:00 p.m. Free. St. Bernard Parish sponsors a re-creation of the December 23, 1814, night skirmish at historic Pakenham Oaks in Chalmette, just downriver from Chalmette Battlefield. Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse (see below); free shuttles begin running at 6:30 p.m.
    Lantern Tour, Saturday, January 10. $5 per ticket; children under 5 free (no ticket needed). Experience the "night before the battle" on guided tours by lantern light through the American and British camps. The first tour begins at 5:45 p.m.; the evening's last tour starts at 7:15 p.m. Tours last about 90 minutes including travel time from the parking area. Tickets are on sale now through January 8 at the Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Center (daily, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; cash or checks only) or by mail (Attn: Lantern Tour, Jean Lafitte NHP&P, 419 Decatur St., New Orleans, 70130; checks only; include daytime phone number and preferred tour time). No tickets will be sold at the door. Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse (see below).

Only school buses, official battlefield shuttles, and vehicles with handicapped tags will be allowed on the battlefield grounds. All other parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse, 1101 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette. Restrooms and a Hospitality and Welcome Center sponsored by the St. Bernard Tourist Commission will be available at courthouse before Friday's reenactment beginning at 5:00 p.m., on Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and during the Lantern Tour. (Click here for printable map.)