By ElizaBeth Guin, NHF board member and NSU Heritage Resources program coordinator

I have been attempting to convey to my heritage resources students the impact Mr. Bobby had on the preservation community not only in Natchitoches but in the state and across the South. I fear I don’t have the words to do him justice. But simply put, Natchitoches would be such a different place without his influence and hard work. From the creation of the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District to the establishment of the Cane River National Heritage Area and the many, many other projects he helped bring to fruition. His impact is incalculable. And perhaps the most important message we all can hold in our heart is the amazing the difference one person can make. Thank you and RIP Bobby.

If you would like to donate to NHF in memory of Bobby or become a member of NHF, please visit our Membership Page.

And feel free to share your memories of Bobby in the comment field below.

Here’s more about the man that defined heritage preservation in Natchitoches:

Robert DeBlieux – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bobby DeBlieux: A Man for All Seasons Dies in Louisiana

Robert Buford “Bobby” DeBlieux (1933 – 2010) – Find A Grave Memorial

NHF will recognize the recipients of its major preservation awards at the gala.

Among the recognitions being presented are the Ann W. Brittain “Saving Natchitoches Treasures” Award, which was started in 2003 and named in honor of Ann W. Brittain, a founding member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation and a leading historic preservationist throughout her life.

NHF will also present the Knipmeyer Award for Historic Preservation in honor of one of our organization’s founding members and a leader in historic preservation in Natchitoches, Mr. Robert Knipmeyer. In 1998, Knipmeyer provided a generous financial contribution in honor of his late wife, Jane, that enabled the NHF to retire the debt incurred in restoring the Cunningham Law Office, which serves as the Foundation’s headquarters.

NHF will also introduce the winner of its Mildred Hart Bailey Scholarship. The award is given each year to a student in the NSU Master’s of Heritage Resources program. For the latest details, visit www.historicfoundation.com.

Thanks to everyone who showed up for our cleaning day in the Catholic Cemetery! We had a lot of fun. Make plans to join us this fall for this semi-annual event.

The event is free and food an beverages will be served.

Time: November 9, 2008 at 6pm
Location: Secret Garden — Gregorek Home
Street: 330 Williams
City/Town: Natchitoches, Louisiana

The National Trust for Historic Preservation stewards the national endangered sites list that brings attention to “buildings, sites and landscapes across the country at critical risk from neglect, deterioration, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.”

Many states and local regions host similar lists. In Louisiana, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation lists the ten most endangered sites across the state.

To accomplish this goal, Caleb Johnson of Ville Platte was announced the winner of the third annual Mildred Hart Bailey Preservation Scholarship award at NHF’s 2007 Fall Preservation Gala.

As part of his scholarship, Johnson researched other endangered site lists, developed the nomination criteria and mechanism and assisted in launching the process in spring 2008.

The scholarship’s namesake was a founding NHF board member and a local preservationist who was on the NSU faculty. The scholarship goes to a student entering NSU’s Master of Arts in Heritage Resources program. Past winners include Melissa Dezendorf and Kate Baldwin.