FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                 

Contact: SharonBroussard

July 20, 2010                                                                                      

 ph. 225-342-5473

Budget Cuts to Impact Louisiana State Historic Sites

 BATON ROUGE – The Office of State Parks is announcing that, due to extensive budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal year, five historic sites will be available by appointment only.

“It is unfortunate that we have to diminish the availability of these cultural treasures,” said Dr. Stuart Johnson, Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks. “The budget constraints of the last few years have left us with a small number of ‘belt-tightening’ options. Our hope is that we will be able to re-open these sites within the next couple of years.”

Effective July 26, the following State Historic Sites will be placed in ‘caretaker status’:

• Centenary SHS, Jackson
• Fort Jesup SHS, Many
• Fort Pike SHS, New Orleans
• Marksville SHS, Marksville
• Plaquemine Lock SHS, Plaquemine

 Los Adaes and Winter Quarters State Historic Sites were placed in ‘caretaker status’ last year. Visitors to these seven sites will have to contact the sites prior to their visit. Programs at these Historic Sites, as listed on the Louisiana State Parks’ on-line Calendar of Events, will be cancelled. It is always recommended that visitors call ahead, when planning to attend a program, to confirm that the program is still occurring.

For more information regarding Louisiana State Parks, visit www.lastateparks.com.

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