Bienville Monument Museum

The first time Selma appeared on a map in the early 1700s, it was known as Écor Bienville and named after John Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur De Bienville, a French explorer and colonial Governor of Louisiana.  The  monument, erected in 1932 by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, was placed to commemorate the engagement between Bienville and the Alibamo Indians on the bluff along the Alabama River. The museum is housed in a small brick building and features exhibits on the history of Bienville and his role in the founding of these two important cities. Visitors can see artifacts from Bienville's time, including maps, documents, and personal items.One of the museum's main attractions is a life-size statue of Bienville himself, which stands outside the museum. The statue was created by French sculptor Raoul Josset and was unveiled in 1934. In addition to the exhibits on Bienville, the museum also features displays on the history of Dallas County and the surrounding area. There are also exhibits on the local Native American tribes and their interactions with European explorers and settlers.