Painting of Bernardo de Gálvez and his officers gathered around a large table during a war council (Junta de Guerra) in July 1779. Gálvez, in a red and gold uniform, stands at the center directing discussion as maps are spread before them.

Junta de Guerra of Bernado de Gálvez, July 13, 1779,
Mitchell Nolte, Courtesy of THGC Publishing.

Spanish officer's pistol

Printed royal decree issued in Madrid in 1779 by King Carlos III of Spain declaring war on Great Britain. The document is headed Real Cédula de S.M. and bears the royal coat of arms with crown.

Real Cédula. In 1779, Spain issued a real cédula or royal decree officially declaring war against Great Britain.

Painting of two Black soldiers in a forest during the American Revolution. The figure in front wears a blue and red Spanish military coat with tall boots and carries a musket, while the man behind him, in a wide-brimmed straw hat and simple shirt, also carries a musket. They move cautiously through shallow water in a wooded landscape.

Gálvez specifically requested free and enslaved Black sharp shooters or tireurs on chasseur to accompany him during the Mississippi River Campaign. Courtesy of THGC Publishing.

Carlos III Indian Peace Medal

Color painting of the 1779 Siege of Baton Rouge, showing Spanish troops operating large cannons against the British fort. Smoke rises from the battlefield as soldiers in blue and red uniforms engage in combat.

Siege of British Fort New Richmond at Baton Rouge, Mitchell Nolte. Courtesy of THGC Publishing. (detail)

Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution

Sun, March 08, 2026 - Sat, May 15, 2027

As the nation prepares to mark America 250, the Louisiana State Museum presents Gálvez and Louisiana in the American Revolutions, a landmark exhibition exploring the life and legacy of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and the diverse people of Louisiana who fought for American independence.

From Acadian exiles and free Black militiamen to Indigenous leaders and Canary Island settlers, Gálvez marshaled a multicultural army that helped secure the Gulf Coast against British forces and shaped the outcome of the American Revolution. Rare artifacts, immersive media, and personal stories will illuminate how New Orleans became a critical hub of strategy, supplies, and diplomacy during the fight for liberty.

This exhibition offers visitors a powerful opportunity to see the American Revolution through a local, inclusive lens—recognizing Louisiana’s essential role in the nation’s founding story.