Places & Faces
Just Imagine SWLA
Nellie Lutcher Cultural District Quality of Life Projects Coming to Life
The Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, named after Lake Charles’ legendary blues singer Nellie Lutcher, was recognized in 2015 and received distinction as a Louisiana Cultural District in 2016. Three short years later, the Community Foundation worked with a variety of partners to generate a Better Block event that showcased quality of life improvements that could transform the district through pop-up cafes and cultural displays. Today, these steps have paved the groundwork for progress being made with the Just Imagine SWLA Nellie Lutcher Cultural District catalytic project with significant announcements and work being done on three new projects.
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu: Mardi Gras plays a significant role from historical and cultural perspectives for Southwest Louisiana. The original Mardi Gras Museum, located inside Central School, provided a space where people could experience the magic of Mardi Gras yearround from 1998 until the devastation in 2020 caused by Hurricane Laura. To advance the museum into the future, community leaders and the Mardi Gras Museum board of directors announced the proposal for a new Mardi Gras Museum to be built in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District at 641 Enterprise Blvd. After the storms of 2020, Visit Lake Charles applied for a grant on behalf of the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to secure funding from the competitive American Rescue Plan’s Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program.
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • May 2023
The museum project was awarded a $1.6 million matching grant to build a new museum to entice more tourism and interest in the Lake Charles area. The current proposal calls for additional financial support from Visit Lake Charles, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, and the City of Lake Charles to partner with the grant from the EDA. The Mardi Gras Museum board will also launch a necessary capital campaign for additional financial support for the project. “The Mardi Gras Museum once housed the most Mardi Gras costumes in the Gulf South, and it was a beacon for visitors and residents to experience Mardi Gras magic year-round,” says Anne Monlezun, founder of the Mardi Gras Museum. “The new museum will be more versatile and allow for more programming and creativity in a space specifically created to showcase the artistry and traditions of local krewes.”