Museum gets leg up from state

A project near and dear to the hearts of many Pearl River residents has received a much-needed boost from the state.

“It’s an answer to our prayers,” said Alderwoman Ruby Gauley. “Like a miracle, really.”

While many in St. Tammany Parish were unhappy with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s recent line-item veto of 258 items in House Bill No. 1, the general appropriations bill for the regular session, one of the items passed was $25,000 for the Pearl River & Honey Island Museum and Research Center. Gauley sits on the museum board and has been overseeing its progress for the last couple of years.

Several other similar projects around the state fell victim to the veto pen, largely due to the fact they did not meet certain criteria for non-governmental organizations. According to Jindal’s veto message of July 13, the projects either lacked regional impact, were not supportive of state priorities, or sufficient performance and accountability measures were not in place.

“This has been a well-organized project, and it was presented very clearly,” said Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell. “It’s important to the town of Pearl River to have this venue so that as the town grows its history won’t be lost or forgotten.”

Crowe and state Reps. Greg Cromer, R-Slidell, and Kevin Pearson, R-Slidell, worked to support the project. In addition, Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, gave the museum his backing.

“He’s not our senator, but he always helps us out,” said Gauley.

The museum also received approval for $5,000 in capital outlay funding, money that will be used for signage. In addition, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a $1,000 planning grant toward completion of the museum exhibits.

Public historian Dr. David Benac, a museum planner and history professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, has been enlisted as the principal scholar for the project. Joining him are Brian Elerman, a public history graduate student at SLU, to assist with research, and Lance Nolley, a curator with the Louisiana State Museum, who will serve as the primary exhibit developer.

Upon completion of the project, Louisiana historian, author and SLU professor emeritus C. Howard Nichols will serve as an independent evaluator.

The museum is an all-volunteer organization and will seek future grants to offset the cost of building the exhibits. Memberships are currently being offered. For more information, call 863-5040.