The Louisiana Historical Society, founded in 1835, is the oldest historical organization in Louisiana.
Since 1836, we have been the official custodian of the Colonial Records of Louisiana, including the French Superior Council records and the Spanish Judicial records, as well as later acquisitions of famous sculptures, other historical objects, paintings, and later documents. Some of these 30,000 items are on display today in various institutions and museums. The digitized, free-access, online version of the Colonial Records Collection is having a profound impact on the study of New Orleans, Louisiana, the South, the U.S., and the Atlantic World. Visit the website at: lacolonialdocs.org.
Membership in LHS is open to everyone. We accept and respond to research inquiries. Current members are allowed free access to digitized images of the Louisiana Historical Quarterly (48 years of the Society’s prestigious journal, over 30,000 pages), which are available online through the Society’s website.
During the year, LHS hold six public meetings about various topics, featuring noted speakers. Refreshments are served afterwards. We also hold our annual Louisiana Transfer Ceremony commemoration in the Cabildo in December; and every January 8, our Battle of New Orleans banquet celebrates the famous American victory.
Almost 200 years later, LHS is still dedicated to the writing, promoting, and understanding of all aspects of Louisiana history. Please visit our website to join us: louisianahistoricalsociety.org