W. H. Tupper operated his General Merchandise Store beginning in 1910 in a rural community just north of Jennings, Louisiana.

When he closed the doors in 1949, the complete inventory remained on the shelves, undisturbed, until 1971 when it was carefully packed and warehoused. There it remained until his grandson Joe Tupper, Jr., donated the store's contents for the creation of the W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum.

This unique museum offers visitors a glimpse of nearly every facet of early twentieth century life in rural Louisiana. Experience a simpler time when townsfolk picked up their mail, bought groceries, shopped for notions and toys and caught up on the news -- all at the same place, the Tupper General Merchandise Store.

Among the drugs and toiletries one could buy at the Tupper Store was Hadacol, a dietary supplement created by a legendary Louisiana entrepreneur/politician and marketed worldwide. Two bars of Ivory Soap cost only 5 cents and 12 Bayer aspirins sold for 3 cents.

The museum's impressive toy collection includes a Kewpie Doll, antique checkers, a wind-up version of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy and Popeye and Olive Oyl wind-up where Olive Oyl plays an accordion while Popeye does a jig. Each with its own history, items range from the everyday to the rare.

The Coushatta Indians, who still live north of Jennings in the town of Elton, once brought their pine needle baskets to the store to trade for food and other merchandise. Many of these prized examples of Native Indian basketry are displayed throughout the Tupper Store today.

The historic significance of the W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum cannot be ignored. While it represents many an antique collector's dream, none of the store's treasures are for sale. 

Museum Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Closed Saturday, Sunday and major holidays

Admission: Adults $3.00  Students $1.00

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