November Historical Happy Hour Ft. Dr Martin Lemelle, Jr., President of Grambling State University

Port Allen- The West Baton Rouge Museum invites the public to a special Historical Happy Hour on Friday, November 20, 2026 from 6-8pm celebrating the exhibition From Brusly to Grambling: Celebrating the Legacy of Charles P. Adams. The event will bring together history, education, music, community, and the enduring legacy of one of West Baton Rouge Parish’s most influential native sons. The reception will feature Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., President of Grambling State University, as special guest and keynote speaker. Dr. Lemelle will reflect on a remarkable convergence of anniversaries in Grambling State University history: the university’s 125th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of Grambling State Athletics, and the 100th anniversary of the World Framed Tiger Marching Band. Together, these milestones tell a larger story of vision, perseverance, education, culture, and excellence, a story deeply connected to Charles P. Adams, Sr., the Brusly native whose leadership helped shape the institution that would become Grambling State University.

Founded in 1901, Grambling State University in celebrating its historic 2026 “Multiversity,” recognizing 125 years of institutional excellence along with a century of Tiger Athletics and the World Famed Tiger Marching Band. The November program at the West Baton Rouge Museum will place those milestones within the story of Adams and the extraordinary legacy that grew from his roots in West Baton Rouge Parish.