Port Allen sits just across the Mississippi River from downtown Baton Rouge, and this month the West Baton Rouge Museum is giving Capital Region families plenty of reasons to cross it. Every program on its late-November calendar is free.

My French Book Fest, Nov. 12-14

For the third year, the museum is hosting part of My French Book Fest, a celebration of French-language children's books organized by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana and Villa Albertine with the Alliance Francaise de La Nouvelle-Orleans. The book fair runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. On Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., Franco-Manitoban Metis storyteller Rob Malo performs as TiBert le Voyageur, telling stories of early Canadian voyageurs and the Native people they met.

Historical Happy Hour, Nov. 20

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, the museum toasts its exhibit on Charles P. Adams, the Brusly native who helped shape what became Grambling State University. Grambling President Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr. is the keynote speaker, reflecting on the school's 125th anniversary and the 100th anniversaries of its athletics program and the World Famed Tiger Marching Band.

A lecture for America 250, Nov. 22

At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, historian Dr. Iris de Rode presents the annual Ethel Claiborne Dameron Lecture on France's role in the American Revolution and the ties between Louisiana and France. A reception follows.

Smaller stops worth knowing

Cajun French Music Association open jam: Sunday, Nov. 15, 3 to 5 p.m.

Community yoga: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m.

Children's art workshops: Saturday, Nov. 21, ages 4 to 6 at 10:30 a.m. and ages 7 to 12 at noon

The museum is at 845 N. Jefferson Ave. Call 225-336-2422 with questions.

Photo courtesy of West Baton Rouge Museum.