The West Baton Rouge Museum is a four-acre museum campus, including five historic structures set up as historic house museums and community space. This regional history museum is dedicated to the lived experience and industrial boom of the 19th century sugar agriculture and its effects on post Civil War Reconstruction era through the Civil Rights era.

The 1969 building addition to the third West Baton Rouge Courthouse, designed by Henry Howard, provides an open space floor plan permitted a departure from traditional museum regulations, allowing visitors a hands-on experience with artifacts from the collection. The 1881 building was designed by Henry Howard and Henry Thiberge and constructed by Albert Thiesen for the Police Jury of West Baton Rouge as the West Baton Rouge Courthouse and Jail. The Courthouse was "Saved by the efforts of the West Baton Rouge Garden & Civic Club, who established the first library on the 2nd floor of this building July 11, 1933." It was partially demolished in 1957, and the Clerk of Court's records vault opened as the West Baton Rouge Museum in 1970. 

The West Baton Rouge Museum is eligible for HTCs, because it is located in a cultural district and a downtown development district. This project included broad cosmetic work to the exterior envelope. The interior work was unique because it included upgrades to the electrical system to comply with museum-quality standards.

1. A state-of-the-art museum quality Erco lighting system will be installed, powered by an updated electrical system. HVAC ducts and vents will be repaired or replaced as needed. New acoustical ceiling tiles will be installed, reusing the original wooden support grid. 

2. Conduit and exposed wires near flashing are in disrepair.

3. Minor repair to roof and flashing as needed related to electrical and HVAC work. 

4. All exterior painted surfaces will be gently cleaned with low pressure water and detergent solution per SOI Standards. All painted surfaces will all be repainted using compatible paint products. 

5. Walls at Courthouse center hall, gift shop, and offices will be repainted.

6. New gypsum board will be installed where mold-ravaged panel board was removed.

7. Wall cabinets will be installed after gypsum board is in place and painted. 

8. Electrical system, including, but not limited to distribution panels, sub panels, grounding cables, conduit, wiring (high and low voltage), light switches/controls, and disconnects are dated and dangerous. The museum complex has experienced regularly tripped breakers, burnt wires (including phones/lines), destroyed security boards, and other signs of an outmoded and underpowered electrical system. AST Engineers and Erco lighting have proposed a LED projection system that would reduce the heat load and power requirements, while providing museum-quality lighting for exhibition spaces. In addition to new fixtures, all aforementioned electrical system components will be either upgraded or replaced. None of the work will alter any character defining features of either 1881 or 1969 buildings. Current track lighting system will remain at Whitehead Gallery and Courthouse center hall, exhibition space, and offices.