Memorial Tower, one of the oldest and most iconic structures on the University’s campus, will soon undergo renovations to turn it into the LSU Military Museum.
Randy Gurie, the executive director of Cadets of the Ole War Skule, is spearheading the LSU Military Excellence Commission along with leadership from the University.
Cadets of the Ole War Skule promotes and preserves the military history of Louisiana and the University and works to support the Corps of Cadets.
“[Memorial Tower] is without a doubt the University’s most recognizable, identifiable icon,” Gurie said. “We hope when the museum is finished, it will be a facility everyone will be able to enjoy, particularly the LSU students.”
Memorial Tower, also known as the Campanile, was officially dedicated to the University in 1926. The funds for the tower were organized by the American Legion Department of Louisiana, which gave the tower to the University in memory of those who died during World War I.
Inside the rotunda of the tower hang four bronze plaques listing the names by parish of all the Louisianians who died during the war. Gurie said one of the plaques references “The World War” with no designation.
“At the time, that was thought to be the only war, the war to end all wars,” Gurie said. “In the process of the tower restoration, the entire rotunda will be cleaned and updated.”
Gurie said there will be some modern updates to the tower including windows designed to protect the artifacts inside. These “smart windows” are designed much like transition sun lenses as the sun rises, the windows will darken, allowing sunlight inside but not enough to damage the fragile artifacts the museum will hold.
“Our architect’s intent is to take it all the way back to what it looked like in 1926 when it was dedicated,” Gurie said. “There are interesting features the tower had in 1926 that were unknown to us until Jerry Campbell began looking through the records of the tower.”
Jerry Campbell an accomplished Baton Rouge restoration architect, previously worked on renovations to the Old State Capitol building and the Old Governor’s Mansion.
Gurie said construction on the tower is set to begin soon, but first, the architect needs to identify a contractor. Gurie said bidding information has gone out to potential contractors, and they are hoping the process goes swiftly.
“We will basically gut everything on both wings of the tower, but the rotunda will remain intact,” Gurie said. “Our plan is not to disturb the rotunda in any way.”
Gurie said one of the wings of the tower will be dedicated to a more permanent exhibit. Memorabilia from General Troy H. Middleton and the University’s only four-star general, General Charles “Hondo” Campbell, will be kept there with other exhibit items.
The Middleton collection will be the focal point of the museum’s permanent installation. Other planned exhibits include collections related to the history of ROTC at LSU, involvement of University faculty, staff and students in American wars and conflicts and the University’s military leaders.
Another wing of the tower will hold rotating exhibits including women in the military and ROTC. Gurie said this museum is unique because it focuses on the University and Louisiana.
One item acquired by the Cadets is a license plate owned by General George S. Patton Jr. John Bass, a University alumnus, was the head of General Patton’s motorcade and was given the plate by Patton himself. Gurie said they hope to include some footage of their conversations with Bass in the exhibit and in the archives of the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History.
“We plan for the restoration to be completed as early as summer 2019,” Gurie said. “The museum would open November 2019 to coincide with LSU Salutes and Veterans Day.”
Gurie said because of the University’s military history, it is vital to have this military museum.
“We were founded as a military school, so we are still regarded as having a strong military program,” Gurie said. “We have a responsibility to honor our military history and heritage.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Christa Moran

The Memorial Tower sits on Dalrymple Drive on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.