NHF to host Natchitoches Preservation Fall Gala on Nov. 9
October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This annual celebration of the people and projects making a difference in Natchitoches history will take place at “Secret Garden,” the exquisitely restored home of Jerry and Carol Gregorek at 330 Williams Ave.
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
Commemorating the Kate Chopin House
October 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
We at the Natchitoches Historic Foundation were saddened by the loss this past Wednesday of the Kate Chopin House in Cloutierville. The realization that each day we lose a part of our heritage is what motivates the heritage community in Natchitoches. To learn more, visit the Natchitoches Preservation Network at http://www.natchitochespreservation.com
Mildred Hart Bailey Scholarship Winner to Spearhead NHF “Most Endangered” List
September 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As the Natchitoches Historic Foundation continues to save historic sites it strives to broaden its impact by promoting awareness of sites at risk in the Natchitoches region. This fall, NHF will launch the Natchitoches 10 Most Endangered Sites List.
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.
Haunted History Tour: Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6-9 p.m.
September 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
NHF HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR OF NATCHITOCHES
What’s so scary about Natchitoches history? You’ll have an opportunity to find out on Saturday, Oct. 18, when the Natchitoches Historic Foundation presents its first Haunted History Tour in American Cemetery on Second St.
This event grows out of the Sacred Places Tour NHF has traditionally held in the spring, but focuses on some of the more dramatic events in Natchitoches history. Local actors will portray the people that were central to these events at stations around American Cemetery. In many cases, these stations will be located near the graves of those being portrayed.
One of the more famous events that to be re-enacted will be the assassination of Theodore Poleman, the former Natchitoches mayor who was killed by E.S. Cropper over the issue of well rights on Nov. 14, 1922.
Another interesting re-enactment will be that of the duel between General F. Gaiennie and Congressman Pierre Bossier in the 1800s. The duel was originally held at what is now called Cherokee plantation. According to local legend, the event caused such political tumult that eleven more citizens died in the fall out, including Bossier himself in 1844.
There will also be an appearance by what’s probably the most famous ghost in Natchitoches. According to legend, Isabella was a French maiden who committed suicide when her lover was killed in a duel. Today she is known as the Ghost of Normal Hill and traditionally inhabits the oldest building on the Northwestern State University campus. Over the course of the last century, she’s had to move a number of times due to building fires. She now resides at Lee H. Nelson Hall (formerly the women’s gym) where the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training is headquartered. Nelson Hall caught fire when it was being renovated to house NCPTT–and Isabella.
An interesting bonus for this year’s tour will be a station featuring members of Spirit Hunters Paranormal Investigators, which is a non-profit group based here in Louisiana. According to their website, Spirit Hunters is “a serious group of individuals dedicated to the study of paranormal activity, and the education of others through our findings.” Prior to the tour, a team from the organization will investigate paranormal activity at the American Cemetery and then present their findings during the tour. Perhaps they can find out if Isabella had a history of pyromania!
A few years ago, I went with some of the NHF board members to see the famous Natchez City Cemetery tour. While Natchez is bigger, the tour at American Cemetery goes toe-to-toe with it in terms of quality. It’s worth your time, especially if our nice fall weather holds up. It’s a very different and entertaining way to connect to Natchitoches heritage. And how many opportunities do we have to witness outdoor theater?
The tour will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased from the Natchitoches Tourist Commission at 781 Front St. or by calling them at (800) 259-1714. Tickets will also be available for purchase at American Cemetery during the tour.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
NHF Sacred Places Tour: Steel Magnolias Re-enactment
Preserving the Cunningham Law Office: NHF’s headquarters
September 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In 1994, NHF purchased one of Natchitoches’ most storied structures, the old Cunningham Law Office. NHF restored the building and now uses it for its headquarters.
It’s a white clapboard, green shuttered building on the Northwest corner of Second and Trudeau Streets which was built in 1860 by Henry Safford. Interestingly, there are still in place the 36 foot long richly lightered virgin pine sills. They’re still held in place by those wooden pegs and remain as sound as when they were fitted together by hand labor.
Another matter of interest is that five generations of lawyers have occupied that building, including the son of the former owner, W. Payton Cunningham, Jr.
Soon after the building was completed in 1860, Safford sold an undivided half interest in the lot and building to lawyer James Gregg Campbell, the son of the noted lawyer and jurist, J.G Campbell. The sale was for $1,883.44, and the divided ownership lasted 67 years.
Originally, they used white plaster on the walls, but when the building settled and ruined the plaster, they replaced it with twin pine panels. Unique twin chimneys are in the center with fireplaces back-to-back giving all the necessary heat for the offices.
While the law offices were in use, the furnishings consisted of two roll top desks, bookkeeper desk which was a revolving one where the on using it would either stand or sit on a tall stool, and an old plantation desk with tavern chairs. Also there was a collection of old law books, French, English, and Louisiana, along with others pertaining to Louisiana and Natchitoches history. It seemed to be a habit of the lawyer to keep supply of maps of the parish and some Caddo Indian artifacts, and a French flintlock fowling piece plus a sword of circa 1725.
Today, the foundation owns and rents, and preserves this old office building. The rental income gives NHF funds for its other preservation projects projects. The building is also used for NHF board meetings and for special exhibits, such as the mourning exhibit held during the foundation’s annual Sacred Places Tour.
