Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
History museum, depicting history of Lake Charles and area
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
22 reviews
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EFW2014
Woolwich, ME1,524 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
The two people we meet inside were super friendly and wicked nice.
The museum is small, some interesting history and art. One room is all local artist goods for sale.
You can see the 375 year old tree for free. Museum is $5
The museum is small, some interesting history and art. One room is all local artist goods for sale.
You can see the 375 year old tree for free. Museum is $5
Written 29 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ferdinand del Toro
Little Rock, AR2,734 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
I have never been inside this museum. The hours that I work are not compatible with the hours that they work. However, you MUST go here. It doesn't matter if they are open or not, you can still see tree out back. It is unbelievable. A photographers dream. Take the kids. Take the grandparents. The tree is incredible. Yes, I realize that it's just a tree, but it is not like other trees.
Written 18 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crazyAustin
Austin, TX965 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
I think this is a decent museum, very small, but it offers key insights into the history of Lake Charles. Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish was a "no man's land" between Spanish Texas and French Louisiana. The museum covers the interesting history of the area and how it came to be part of Louisiana.
There is also an art exhibit which I wasn't too impressed with, but the history portion is interesting and the guide is very knowledgeable. The great thing was we were the only ones in the area, so if you are a history buff, like my dad is, then you'll get to stay there as long as you want and ask questions.
Outside the key feature of this museum is the Sallier Oak, which is over 300 years old. It is a beautiful tree and I'll submit some photos of it.
Most visitors to Lake Charles go to casinos. Hey, why don't you do something a little different and actually learn something about the area you are in, instead of gambling that paycheck away?
My only beef was the price. The price for adults is $7, which isn't worth it. Seniors get in for $5, and kids for $2. So, it's a pretty good deal to bring school kids there to learn the history. My son particularly enjoyed the old time record player.
Overall a pretty good hour spent.
There is also an art exhibit which I wasn't too impressed with, but the history portion is interesting and the guide is very knowledgeable. The great thing was we were the only ones in the area, so if you are a history buff, like my dad is, then you'll get to stay there as long as you want and ask questions.
Outside the key feature of this museum is the Sallier Oak, which is over 300 years old. It is a beautiful tree and I'll submit some photos of it.
Most visitors to Lake Charles go to casinos. Hey, why don't you do something a little different and actually learn something about the area you are in, instead of gambling that paycheck away?
My only beef was the price. The price for adults is $7, which isn't worth it. Seniors get in for $5, and kids for $2. So, it's a pretty good deal to bring school kids there to learn the history. My son particularly enjoyed the old time record player.
Overall a pretty good hour spent.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msalcaraz2015
Lake Charles, LA326 contributions
Nov 2019 • Business
Decided to go with my mother to see the museum while looking around the area for some possible investors. My mother and I walked in and we did not realize there was now an admission fee, as the last time she visited the museum there was only a donation box. As we walked in a man came out with two ear plugs in and
obviously talking on the phone to someone. The man did not greet us only said i need you to sign in and there is an admission. I told him we would come in a minute. My mother has a hard time walking and uses a cane, so we had the go slow. Again the man said the same thing I need you the sign in and there is an admission. We made our way to the front where the man still did not take the ear plugs out and continued to talk to someone on the phone. Finally I tried to interrupt the man and asked for change. I was ignored twice. Finally we were leaving when the man hollered after us twice"I heard you". We left anyway my mother was very upset. I have traveled quite a bit and I have NEVER Been treated so rude and unprofessional! I hope this is not normal for the area. We were so dissappointed ! Will not be recommending that museum experience to any friends, family are business associates.
obviously talking on the phone to someone. The man did not greet us only said i need you to sign in and there is an admission. I told him we would come in a minute. My mother has a hard time walking and uses a cane, so we had the go slow. Again the man said the same thing I need you the sign in and there is an admission. We made our way to the front where the man still did not take the ear plugs out and continued to talk to someone on the phone. Finally I tried to interrupt the man and asked for change. I was ignored twice. Finally we were leaving when the man hollered after us twice"I heard you". We left anyway my mother was very upset. I have traveled quite a bit and I have NEVER Been treated so rude and unprofessional! I hope this is not normal for the area. We were so dissappointed ! Will not be recommending that museum experience to any friends, family are business associates.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rivernan0
Louisiana32 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
This museum offers lots of info about the history of SW Louisiana. There are displays of items that would have been used by early residents and many early photos.
There's also a wonderful collection of Audubon prints and an art gallery that displays local art, as well as traveling exhibits.
There's also a wonderful collection of Audubon prints and an art gallery that displays local art, as well as traveling exhibits.
Written 19 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IanWD
West Drayton, UK434 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
I'm afraid to say that this isn't one of the best museums I have ever been to, but please don't let that put you off going as your thoughts may differ from mine. The idea is great but there just aren't enough exhibits due to the small size of the building to make this attraction anything more than just average. I'm sure that there is so much more history to Lake Charles and the surrounding area that more could be made of it. I will however be totally truthful and say that the guides at the museum are extremely knowledgeable about the museum and the Lake Charles area....It's just a shame they haven't got a better stage to show it.
Written 6 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbaragayle
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States24 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Museum features an art gallery as well as exhibits from years past. Old pharmacy setup, complete with antique apothecary jars and doctors' equipment. On the lawn stands the Sallier Oak, a live oak tree that has stood there for over 100 years, dripping with Spanish moss. Oh, how we wish it could talk!
Written 7 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vac1017
New Iberia119 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Wonderful artifacts and exhibits packed into what appears from the outside to be a small building. We visited to the see the student art exhibit (impressive in itself) but also enjoyed everything else the museum had on display. The historic oak tree in the back is beautiful.
Written 23 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jms_alexVA
Annapolis, MD57 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
WOW! This is a not-to-be-missed attraction in Lake Charles. The museum, located in the historic Arts and Humanities Center, houses the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the world! They even have a place to try on costumes and head pieces. It is a self-guided tour, but a docent checked in with us throughout our tour to answer questions and provide some background information. You will be amazed at the detail in the costumes! We are so glad we found this museum on Trip Advisor. It was an hour (maybe a bit more) well spent.
Written 28 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelmom252017
Houston, TX257 contributions
Aug 2020
museum is closed for remodel, but the tree is amazing to see. 375 years old and still growing. They have a small bench and table to sit under the tree.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The price for adults is $7. Seniors get in for $5, and kids for $2.
Written 5 July 2015
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