08/29/2026
Today we remember the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ida in 2021, two storms that forever altered our communities and landscapes in South Louisiana.
Katrina took the lives of thousands in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast. The storm exacerbated deep injustices and inequities that persist today. Generations were swept away, many never to return.
Hurricane Ida made landfall 16 years later to the day and brought its own devastation, particularly in Texas and Louisiana. At Whitney Plantation, the storm took three historical buildings and caused over $1 million in damages. We were without power for a month and closed to the public for three.
Thanks to collective effort from our community and supporters, we were able to rebuild and continue our work to preserve this history.
Today we mourn the lives and ways of living lost. We honor the spirit of those who returned. And we express gratitude to this community of people who understand what it means to carry on.