Discover Shreveport’s History
Welcome to the heart of Northwest Louisiana and the tristate region. Shreveport is where it all began…where oil and water did blend, where cotton began its long dusty journey up the Texas Trail, where fortunes were made (and lost), where mayors fought duels in the middle of the street. We tell the story of our remarkable and sometimes rowdy history through photos and discovered treasures. From the Great Raft log jam cleared by Capt. Henry Miller Shreve to the legal Red Light District of the early 1900s, we bring the history of Shreveport to life!
Who We Are
The Spring Street Historical Museum is the flagship project of the Shreveport Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames in Louisiana who oversaw its restoration and placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Committee has raised funds and worked to keep the museum strong since 1976. In 2016 the Colonial Dames and Friends of the Spring Street Museum began day-to-day operations of the facility, and immediately began working to enhance the exhibits, exposure and community appeal. It is important to note that the museum is kept open by donations, sponsorships and support from the community.
One of Shreveport’s Oldest Buildings
The building that houses the Spring Street Historical Museum has its own stories to tell! Arguably the oldest building in Shreveport, it was constructed around 1866 and housed Tally’s and Asher’s Banks and in 1877, became the Banking House of E. & B. Jacobs. In 1886, Edward Jacobs received the very first banking act charter in the city and changed the name to First National Bank, which it remained until 1903. After the era of banking in the building was complete, it became home of a number of businesses, including a bar called Fort Knox. That makes sense, as the original bank vault still remains today.
Exhibits & Upcoming Events
The Friends of the Spring Street Museum
The Friends of the Spring Street Museum is an established 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to promote both the education and welfare of The Spring Street Historical Museum in Shreveport. The Friends develop, expand, and improve the museum’s projects so as to provide for broader educational and cultural advantages and opportunities, encourage research, and increase the museum’s usefulness to all citizens of Louisiana and of the United States of America.