Administrators at the Old State Capitol are gearing up to protect the museum and tourist attraction from proposed budget cuts, which could force the historic building to shut down several days a week. At this morning’s meeting of the Downtown Development District Board of Commissioners, Louisiana Secretary of State Archives and Museum Division Director Mary Durusau said midyear budget cuts scheduled to go into effect next month will force the museum to limits its operation to just three days a week, unless other sources of funding are identified. What’s more, proposed budget reductions for the 2015-16 fiscal year could result in additional cost-cutting measures.
“They have proposed slashing the museum budget from $3.5 million to $1.7 million and our existing budget is $1.5 million, so that gives you an idea of how bad it would be on us,” Durusau said. “We’re not sure how much we’d have to cut.”
The Old State Capitol is one of several museums under the secretary of state’s office. A handful of other state museums are contained in a separate budget under the office of the lieutenant governor. The proposed cuts affect museums under the secretary of state.
Durusau said the Old State Capitol Museum Foundation is trying to find new funding sources for the facility. The secretary of state’s office is also committed to trying to restore funding, she said, “recognizing there are a lot of competing interests.”
The 165-year-old Old State Capitol was restored in the early 1990s and has become a focal point for many downtown activities and events. DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer said it’s important the building remains open.
“This building represents so much of the state of Louisiana and is a symbol that really needs to be protected and preserved,” Rhorer said. “It has gone through so much, and the idea that it might close is very disturbing. It is just way too important.”
—Stephanie Riegel
