Local officials and the park's new superintendent officially broke ground for a new visitor center at Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, Louisiana, on Friday, November 13th.

Carol A. Clark, a 28-year veteran of the National Park Service, was recently named as the new superintendent for Jean Lafitte and New Orleans Jazz. Chalmette Battlefield, site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, is one of six sites managed by Jean Lafitte.

Clark was joined by St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, Honorary Consul of Great Britain James J. Coleman, Jr., Louisiana state senator A.G. Crowe, Amanda Beheyt of U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon’s office, Patricia Gallagher of the Chalmette Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812, and representatives of many of the battlefield’s partners, including the Historic New Orleans Collection, living history volunteers, and St. Bernard Parish officials and residents.

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroyed the battlefield visitor center and severely damaged many other structures at the battlefield and the adjoining national cemetery. A temporary visitor center has been in place since fall 2006. The new visitor center will be twice as large as the previous building and will share the story of the Battle of New Orleans and its affect on world history through displays, interactive exhibits, and films. The new center is expected to open in fall 2010.

“The park staff and this community have made do with temporary and inadequate structures at the battlefield for several years now,” said Clark. “Now we can all look forward to a new visitor center which will be more welcoming and contain more exhibit space to enhance the experiences of park visitors.”

For more information, call 504-589-2636 ext. 1 or visit www.nps.gov/jela .