Gretna, established in 1836, as the Village of Mechanickham, became a municipality in 1913. It is 3.5 square miles in area and is a splendid community of 17,423 residents.

Gretna is home to one of Louisiana's largest historic districts and only ten minutes from downtown New Orleans. The Gretna Historical Society Museum houses the oldest, continuously active volunteer fire company in the United States. Its steam fire pumper, beautifully maintained, is the centerpiece of the Louisiana State Fire museum originally the David Crockett Firehouse. It also has the only furnished Creole cottage in the New Orleans area. In 1845, German immigrants built this four-room cottage with no hallway and raised their family of nine. The Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop offers one the opportunity to view the artistry of the craft of blacksmithing (for group tours only). Weddings and reaffirmations of vows are both offered. On Valentine's Day, the local Justice of the Peace performs all weddings at the Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop. In the tradition of Gretna Green Scotland, vows are sealed on the anvil by the blacksmith. A Scottish Bagpiper adds to the romance of a Valentine Day Wedding. Reservations are required.

The German American Cultural Center of Louisiana is a regional museum and traces the history of the large German immigration to southeast Louisiana in the early 1700s. It also covers their contributions to the community. The cultural center focuses on the preservation and celebration of the German culture. It is done with exhibits, programs, lectures, educational activities, and with some that are geared towards students.