Discover a Unique Venue for Parties at LSU Rural Life Museum

Venue Rentals & Photography

Facility Rentals 

Create unforgettable memories at the LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens. With its historic ambiance and natural beauty, our venue is ideal for weddings, rehearsal dinners, luncheons, and other special gatherings. Brides and corporate clients from across the region have chosen this stunning destination to host their events.

Photography Sessions

The LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens are available for your portraits. Appointments are required for all photography sessions. To schedule a photography session, please fill out the form link below, contact the museum at (225)765-2437, or email rlm@lsu.edu with 'Photography' in the subject line.

Important Notice: Windrush Gardens is temporarily closed for photography sessions as we prepare for Louisiana Lights, the state’s largest holiday light show, which runs from November 29 to December 29. Louisiana Lights will illuminate Burden Museum and Gardens every Thursday through Sunday with ticketed entry only. To ensure a seamless experience for all visitors, no photography sessions can begin after 2 p.m. on these days, and all sessions must be completed and off the property by 4 p.m.

Photography sessions at the Museum remain available for booking Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the Louisiana Lights event.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A PHOTOGRAPHY APPOINTMENT

After-hours appointments are available for an additional fee, but please be aware of the following before booking an after-hours session.

  • The front gate at Essen Lane automatically closes at 4:30pm.  Plan to arrive around 4:00pm in order to make it to your appointment before the gate closes.
  • ALL the buildings are closed for after-hours appointments. This includes the historic outbuildings, the restrooms, and the changing room.
  • You will only be able to take pictures around the grounds and on the porches of the historic buildings during an after-hours session.
  • If you want pictures inside the church, plan to arrive for around 3:30pm.

The following information is needed to schedule an appointment:

  • Date
  • Duration: Start Time and End Time of session
  • Name of Contact Person
  • Contact Person's Phone Number
  • Is a changing room needed?The dressing room is now available by appointment only.
  • Type of Session: Bridal, Engagement, Family, Maternity, Senior, Baby, Before Wedding, or After Wedding portraits
  • Location: Rural Life Museum grounds, Windrush Gardens or Both
  • Name of Photographer

If the dressing room is unavailable, the public restroom stalls may be used for wardrobe changes. Do not leave any personal items in the restrooms.  Please arrive with hair and make-up already done.  The restrooms are not available for after-hours appointments because the Visitor Center, where the restrooms are located, closes at 4:30pm.

Prices (per Session/Client)

  • Single Session (2 hours or less) Rural Life Museum - $80.00
  • Single Session (2 hours or less) Windrush Gardens - $80.00
  • Single Session (2 hours or less) for both Museum & Gardens - $150.00
  • Day Pass (3 hours or more) for one area - $200.00
  • After-hours Security Fee (staying after 5:00pm) - $50.00

Because photography sessions are dependent upon the weather, all sessions are paid the day of your appointment at the LSU Rural Life Museum's gift shop.

The Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens is located at 4560 Essen Lane. After driving through the front gate on Essen Lane, continue driving 1.5 miles back on the property.  All RLM and Windrush Garden photography sessions need to be purchased at the museum's front desk/gift shop area.

 

LSU