Former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster, who helped get
current Governor Bobby Jindal’s political career started, will have his papers
archived in Franklin at a former high school. State taxpayers are picking up
the bulk of the tab to the tune of an initial $1.8 Million.
Some local funding will also be used to convert the third
floor of the former high school. The first two floors are used by Franklin city
government.
Governor Jindal himself issued the announcement of the
project, which will feature Franklin’s political history.
"This building will serve as a place to celebrate the incredible
work of Gov. Foster and educate generations of our people about the monumental
reforms he implemented," Jindal said in a statement.
The small town is home to not only Governor Foster but four
other state governors including Foster’s grandfather, Murphy Foster, who served
as Governor from 1892 to 1900.
The papers of former Governors, including former Governor
Kathleen Blanco who succeeded Foster, are primarily held by the Secretary of State’s Office, which
is responsible for the state archives. Some documents from Huey P. Long are
stored by Tulane and LSU.
Foster served as Governor from 1996-2004.
