City: Shreveport, LA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (318) 869-5169

Address: 2911 Centenary Blvd.

Description: In 1936, French artist Jean Despujols was selected by the Grand Conseil Economique of French Indochina to set forth on a 20-month expedition to record through paper and canvas the people, landscape, and culture of the region before Western influences could change them. Upon returning to Paris, Despujols planned on a grand exhibition of his work. Unfortunately, the onset of World War II changed these plans. A few years after the Allied Forces were victorious, Despujols and his American wife moved to Shreveport. The paintings remained for the most part unseen until local oilman and college alumnus Algur H. Meadows purchased the collection and gave Centenary the funds to build Meadows Museum in 1975. The museum serves as the permanent home of the Despujols collection in addition to many temporary exhibits throughout the year. One of only 10 museums in Louisiana accredited by the American Association of Museums, Meadows serves as an educational facility for local schools, both public and private, teaching persons of all ages a love for multicultural expressions of art. Open from 12 to 4 p.m. Tues through Fri (open until 5 p.m. on Thurs), and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sat and Sun. Closed on Mon and most holidays.