Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center houses world-class exhibitions on national tour. Each touring exhibit is complemented with a variety of programming, including movie screenings, poetry readings, gallery talks, and live music events to enrich visitors’ experience. The center also exhibits works from local and regional artists. Three local galleries are housed within the walls of Historic City Hall; Artisans’ Gallery, Gallery by the Lake, and Black Heritage Gallery. From historic significance to brilliant artistry, the displays are truly inspirational. The original City Hall was built in 1903 and destroyed by the Great Fire of 1910. The current building opened its doors in 1911 and served as a utility of the city government for 90 years. In 2004, the City of Lake Charles refurbished and repurposed the building into an arts and cultural center. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and was designed by the notable architects Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans. The design of the structure is Italianate, a classic design for civic buildings in the early years of the last century.