Exploring The Southern Forest Heritage Museum

The Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Louisiana is a history buffs dream. It took us over 3 hours to walk around this immense establishment to see all the attractions.  Below is a taste of what you will see:

• A fully restored sawmill
• Planer mill
• Caroline Dorman museum
• Henry E. Hardtner House Museum
• Red River & Gulf Railroad engine house
• Red River & Gulf Railroad machine shop
• Civilian Conservative Corps Museum
• Camp Claiborne Museum
• Terrell WW2 Museum
• Original Post Office
• Locomotives

When you get there head to the commissary building to pay for your tickets and to get maps and information. The woman working was so nice and we talked to her for a while. The building also houses a gift shop and many displays on the area.

Before you start exploring the grounds you get to watch a short movie on the history of the area then tour the absolutely outstanding World War 2 collection which is housed in the same building. The movie was made a while ago so we got a few laughs while viewing it and I’m sure you will too.

Next you will head outside and start exploring all the little museums and grounds. You get to walk through the sawmill and planer mill and explore up close and personal all the old trains, locomotives and lumber equipment sitting around.

Jamey and I were just in awe over a lot of things we saw. It’s just so cool. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time, I’m talking hours, to truly enjoy this place. It is a true immersive experience.

They will tell you for part of it you can get in your car and drive around, but just walk it. It’s not much walking especially with all the stopping to explore you will be doing. In my opinion walking it just let’s you enjoy it more.

Two thumbs up all the way.

Stopping here is a must if you are in the area and enjoy learning about the past.