Google “thriving small towns in the USA” and you’ll see plenty of beautiful little towns across America, but you won’t find any of our wonderful little towns in northeast Louisiana on the list. What makes the list? Well, towns with natural beauty—mountains and seas, of course; those with thriving economic development—mostly tourism; those with historical significance—federal and state parks; and of course, the wealthy bedroom communities of the larger metro-areas. As I scroll through the list of Google’s top 100 small USA towns, I recognize many of the names, and I realize that I’ve visited many of them through the years, including the only three “truly southern” communities to make the list: Jasper, Arkansas, Port Gibson, Mississippi, and St Francisville, Louisiana. I do agree that these are worthy little towns that are thriving, yet I offer another village—more local and just as worthy: Winnsboro, Louisiana.

Winnsboro, a community of just under 5,000 residents, sits centrally located between three small metropolitan areas: Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi. What makes Winnsboro special? It has a thriving cultural arts program.

In 1992 the citizens of Winnsboro were gifted The Princess Theatre located in the heart of the town on Prairie Street. The old theatre originally opened in 1912 and operated continuously until 1988, and then reopened in 1994 under the stewardship of Winnsboro Main Street project. Today the theatre serves the community with plays, theatre education, summer camps, musical tributes, two dinner theaters, and even a monthly family movie night. When speaking to locals, it is evident of the pride this little community has for The Princess Theatre, and that pride is well founded.

But the culture of Winnsboro includes more than performing arts as there is a fabulous visual arts museum just down the street from The Princess Theatre, the Old Post Office Museum. In the past this little gem has hosted artists’ collections from Chicago to New Orleans, from wedding dress exhibits to motorcycle displays. The building itself is a museum, with original flooring, vault and art works from 1937, and serves as the hub of city activity with offices of the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Foundation and the Tourism Commission, collectively known as Winnsboro Main Street. New curator, Wade Walley, has grand plans for the museum and is looking continually for new artists and exhibits.

This summer take a road trip to Winnsboro. It’s a pleasant drive through beautiful fields of corn and cotton. Take in the massive display of American flags in the downtown area and drop by the Old Post Office Museum. Before you go, check out Princess Theatre | Live­ Performance Venue in Winnsboro, Louisiana, Franklin Parish (princesstheatreinc.com) and order tickets for a play or concert.

Summer Exhibit: The Language of Color

Old Post Office Museum. 513 Prairie Street. Winnsboro. Louisiana.

9PM-5PM  *  Monday-Friday

~ Exhibit through July 31, 2022 ~

Job well done, Winnsboro Main Street!

PHOTO: Patrons at an artist reception at the Old Post Office Museum, Winnsboro, Louisiana.

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