
After more than 12 years of directing operations for the $23 million, world-renowned Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches, Jennae Biddiscombe is headed south to accept a promotion in the Louisiana State Museum system.
The Boston native, who became a valued community member during her time in Natchitoches, departs this weekend to take over in Baton Rouge as LSM’s Museum Division Director. She is the Director of the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and supervises the operations of museum branches located in Thibodaux, Patterson – and Natchitoches.
“I will always be grateful for my time in Natchitoches and the wonderful people I have gotten to work with as Branch Director of the LSHOF and Northwest Louisiana History Museum,” she said. “This museum and community will always hold a place in my heart.”
She began her career at the Louisiana State Museum in December 2008, first as the Assistant Registrar, overseeing rights and reproduction services, and then as the Registrar. When the LSHOF museum was in the final stages preparing for opening, Biddiscombe was named Branch Director in Natchitoches in April 2013.
She oversaw the final three months of setup before the grand opening June 28, 2013, as Shaquille O’Neal, Chanda Rubin, Kevin Mawae and Tommy Hodson headlined the LSHOF Class of 2013 and the museum debuted to rave reviews. It was named the world’s No. 1 new architectural achievement of 2013 by the international industry publication Azure Magazine, the only North American project to make the list with an addition to the Louvre in Paris at No. 2.
Biddiscombe’s leadership since has maintained that global stature for the local museum, which gets visitors from around the world to see the architecture and people from around the state and nation to check out the 27,500-square feet of exhibits on state sports and regional history.
“Jennae immersed herself into her role with the museum, and enriched our community, while she assured that the people of Natchitoches, and all of Louisiana’s citizens, were well served by this wonderful venue,” said Doug Ireland, chairman of the LSHOF and president of FLASH, Friends of Louisiana Sports and History, the local support group for the museum.
“She formed relationships and developed partnerships that were vital to the development of the museum as an attraction and a community resource,” he said. “Jennae directed daily operations and was a pivotal part of hundreds of special events ranging from Hall of Fame induction activities to wedding receptions, community gatherings, school tours, and outreach programs along with a wide range of programming,” he said. “She weathered state budget challenges and she collaborated with Northwestern, with the City of Natchitoches, the Natchitoches CVB and Chamber of Commerce, the Historic District Business Association, the LSHOF Foundation and other agencies and organizations to mutual benefit.
“We are grateful for her long-term impact and thrilled that in her new role, she will continue to be involved with the local museum,” he said.
Among Biddiscombe’s accomplishments:
- Obtained over $50,000 in grants to support the museum exhibitions, programming and marketing;
- Brought several traveling and temporary exhibits to the museum, highlighted by:
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- “The East Bank All-Stars: Making Little League History”- The Eastbank All-Stars made history becoming the first Louisiana team crowned Little League World Series Champions in 2019.
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- “Showtime: LSU’s Spectacular Pistol Pete”- The exhibition features more than 40 photographs from John Musemeche and Musemeche Photography in Baton Rouge. Showcasing the incredible career of Pete Maravich.
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- “The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in World War II”- Produced by The National WWII Museum, the exhibition will feature artifacts, photographs and oral histories that highlight Louisiana’s extraordinary contribution to America’s war efforts during World War II.
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- “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” – This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program captures the stories that unfold on the neighborhood fields and courts, and the underdog heroics, larger-than-life legends, fierce rivalries and gut-wrenching defeats.
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- “Water/Ways”- This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program. explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources. Human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment.
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- “Carrying the Dream”- a display of the hearse that carried the body of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Added several exhibits to the permanent exhibit, notably:
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- A case featuring Kim Mulkey;
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- A case featuring Louisiana Heisman Trophy winners.
- Developed diverse programming highlighting the state’s unique sports heritage and regional culture making the museum more than a museum, a community gathering place for events that included:
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- Book signings, including a visit from 1958 LSU Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon
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- Documentary film screenings
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- Dance and music programs, including a tribute to Jim Croce on the 50th anniversary of his tragic death
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- Folklife programs
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- Lectures and roundtable discussions, including Steel Magolias programming
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- Children’s programming
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- Award ceremonies
Her new office will be at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. She will maintain a residence with her husband Jackie in Natchitoches.



















