audubonparknola1887
1 media/view_thumb.jpg 2023-08-04T09:47:53-07:00 Nathaniel Dela Pena 3aeb9c6e7f0f114b335bc2be152622492415c11c 43475 5 A picture of Audubon Park at New Orleans in 1887. In 1891, it would become the home of the Audubon Sugar School. (LSU Special Collections) plain 2023-08-18T11:37:35-07:00 Nathaniel Dela Pena 3aeb9c6e7f0f114b335bc2be152622492415c11cThis page is referenced by:
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Sugar Kettle
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The history of the sugar kettle on campus and its relationship with the internationally renowned Audubon Sugar School
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2023-12-12T12:20:11-08:00
As you walk past the sugar kettle and the sugar factory next to Tiger Stadium, both reveal the importance of the sugar industry to the state of Louisiana. The historical marker by the sugar kettle emphasizes that Jean Étienne de Boré jumpstarted an industry in this state that competed with the other great producers of sugar in the Western Hemisphere and around the world. At Audubon Park in New Orleans, where he first accomplished the first commercialization of granulated sugar, LSU founded a world-renowned school known for creating students who mastered the art of making sugar.
The Audubon Sugar School had its roots as a “sugar experiment station” in Kenner that was first established in 1885.[1] The “experiment station” was the first in the Western Hemisphere, which was created by the Louisiana Sugar Planters Association to ensure the proper maintenance of sugar plant operations. Dr. W.C. Stubbs, for whom Stubbs Hall is named, was appointed to direct the station (and would continue to do so for the Audubon Sugar School). In two years (on April 5, 1887), the control of the experiment station was handed to the Board of Supervisors at LSU and they decided to move to Audubon Park in New Orleans. The Audubon Sugar School, however, was not established as a separate entity until 1891. The Sugar School was relocated to our current campus in 1925.
Although its existence predates our current campus, the Sugar School has a rich and fascinating history with international students that has not been properly emphasized. In fact, the sugar school was one of the first LSU institutions in which international students, especially students of color, were admitted. Yet, in many ways, the Sugar School also played a part in the extremely prejudiced and segregationist past of LSU.[1] Heitmann, John Alfred. “Two Examples of Early Chemical Engineering Education in America: The Audubon Sugar School of Louisiana and the University of Wisconsin / by John A. Heitmann.” Toronto, Canada: SHOT Annual Meeting, n.d.
