Visit the Slidell Museum

Built in 1907, the historic building that housed Slidell Town Hall until 1954 and the jail until 1963 is an unassuming building that belies the extensive collection of artifacts inside. The museum displays two floors of photos and memorabilia from Slidell’s history. Visitors learn about Slidell’s history as a railroad town, as well as some of its illustrious original European inhabitants, including Fritz Salmen, whose empire included brickmaking, lumber, shipbuilding, farming and more. Also featured in the museum is Baron Frederick Erlanger, who named the town and railroad station after his father-in-law, John Slidell (who, incidentally, never set foot in the city that bears his name). Guests to the museum get a kick out of going inside the jail cells (claustrophobics, beware) and taking an Instagram-worthy photo behind bars. On display is a register of every person booked into the jail, and longtime residents find folly as well as relatives on the list. On the second floor is the Mardi Gras Museum, with more than 800 items of Carnival memorabilia including glittering Krewe costumes and throws. Call (985) 646-4380 before you go. Normal hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2020 FIRST ST., SLIDELL