Pirates! The Story Behind the Pirate of the Pacific
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is opening a new permanent exhibit inside the Museum building this Saturday, March 11th, 2023.
CONTACT: Parks Stephenson, Executive Director, 225-342-1942
Entitled, “Pirates! The Story Behind the Pirate of the Pacific”, the exhibit is directed toward pirate enthusiasts of all ages and highlights the role that pirates have played in the USS KIDD’s history.
The exhibit is housed within a full-scale replica of a 18th-Century pirate ship’s gun deck. As visitors walk through the deck, they will learn the story of Captain William Kidd, described by historians as “America’s most ruthless buccaneer”. But was he actually a pirate or a pirate hunter? Facts are put up against fictional assumptions about pirates…how true are the public’s assumptions about pirates? As the story continues, visitors will learn how the fictional portrayal of Captain Kidd, popularized by Hollywood in the 1940s, inspired the World War 2 crew of the newly commissioned USS KIDD (DD-661) to adopt a pirate identity. Pirate artifacts from the USS KIDD (DD-661) and her namesakes, USS KIDD (DDG-993) and the currently-serving USS KIDD (DDG-100) will demonstrate the pirate legacy that has been passed down from the 1940s to today.
The last story to be told before exiting the exhibit will be that of Jean Lefitte, “Louisiana’s Pirate.” Visitors will learn about Lafitte’s role in shaping New Orleans and southern Louisiana into what both are today.
New signage on the north face of the Museum building highlights USS KIDD’s legacy as the “Pirate of the Pacific.” The new exhibit was designed to tell the story behind that claim. Both southbound traffic on River Road and attendees to the Raising Cane’s River Center will now see the familiar skull-and-crossbones pirate emblem inviting them to pay a visit.
The new Pirates! exhibit was planned before the scheduling of the Nao TRINIDAD visit but the opening was moved up so that it would be available to guests during this special event.
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is open daily, with extended hours during the Nao TRINIDAD tall ship visit. Admission is charged. Visit the website at usskidd.com or call 225-342-1942 for more information.
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