Group trying to rally support for Louisiana science museum

The Associated Press

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) " A group of Louisiana residents are trying to drum up support for reopening the Lafayette Science Museum, which the mayor says the city can't afford to keep up and running.

Renee Sonnier and Blake Lagneaux are among those hoping to bring attention to the museum now that it's on the chopping block. KATC-TV reports that Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory announced layoffs at the museum in May, saying there isn't enough funding for it.

'I don't want the opportunity to go by where citizens find themselves in a position that the museum has closed, and they're hearing about it in retrospect,' Sonnier said. 'I want them to know what's going (on), so that they can use this opportunity to voice their support now when it matters.'

Lagneaux started the 'Save Our Museum' Facebook page to strategize, keep people informed and share the museum's history. The group is asking people to call their local council members and urge support for the science museum.

'Back in the 1960s, a group of 24 local women called Les Deaux Douzaines, or 'the two dozen,' envisioned and dreamed up the idea of a science center for this community,' Lagneaux said. 'Through hard work and working with the city and the residents of the city, they made that a reality.'

Lagneaux said those trying to save the museum want to 'preserve and honor that legacy of that original vision and what they saw possible for this city.'