The River Rises

Life in southern Louisiana is shaped in both positive and negative ways by the rivers that surround it. The rivers bring rich alluvial soil that yields diverse crops and plays a major role in the agricultural success of the state. However, living near the rivers is a serious gamble, due to the potential for the devastation caused by seasonal floods. This summer’s exhibit at the West Baton Rouge Museum illustrates just how dangerous our natural providers can be. The exhibit, called The River Rises, commemorates the historic flooding of south Louisiana in 2016. Opening June 3, the exhibit features images and artifacts from the West Baton Rouge Historical Association’s permanent collection illustrating the history of flooding from shortly after the Civil War to the Great Flood of 1927 and the last inundation in West Baton Rouge in 1949. Photographer Collin Richie’s images from last year’s historic flooding will conclude the exhibit, which will be in the museum until August 27. 845 North Jefferson Avenue in Port Allen. westbatonrougemuseum.com or (225) 336-2422 Ext. 15.