Sugar Kettle
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.