Natchitoches historic foundation

Natchitoches Preservation

Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Inc.

Fall Gala
Preserving

Natchitoches LA 71457
the Legacy

P.O. Box 2351

of Historic
NHF to recognize Haunted History Comes
Natchitoches recipients of 2009 Alive this Halloween
Brittain, Knipmeyer, What’s so scary about Natchitoches his-
fall/winter 2009 report tory? You’ll have an opportunity to find
Bailey Awards at Gala out on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 31,
2009, when the Natchitoches Historic

T
he Natchitoches Historic Foundation presents its second Haunted
Foundation will hold its 2009 History Tour in American Cemetery on
Natchitoches Preservation Fall Second Street.
Gala Nov. 8 at the Foundation's head-
quarters on Second St. Festivities will The tour will focus
Above: NHF's head-
begin at 5 p.m. The public is invited quarters at the historic on some of the more
to attend. Cunningham Law Office dramatic events in
will be the site of the Natchitoches history.
NHF will recognize the recipients of Gala on Nov. 8. Local actors will por-
tray the people that

Homes
its major preservation awards at the
gala. were central to these
events at stations
Among the recognitions being pre- around American
sented are the Ann W. Brittain "Sav- Cemetery. In many
Living history actors from the 2008 Haunted History Tour cases, these stations
ing Natchitoches Treasures" Award, which was started
for in 2003 and named in honor of Ann W. Brittain, a founding will be located near the graves of those being portrayed.

the
Holidays
member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation and a lead-
ing historic preservationist throughout her life. Also returning to the tour will be Spirit Hunters Paranor-
NHF will also present the Knipmeyer Award for Historic
Preservation in honor of one of our organization's founding
Dec. 9-19, 2009 members and a leader in historic preservation in Natchitoch-
es, 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 Founda-
tion'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.
a Celebration of Heritage
and Tradition
mal Investigators, who have conducted paranormal investi-
gations of the Chez de Amis Bed and Breakfast, located at
910 Washington Street, and the Cunningham Law Office,
which serves as the NHF headquarters and is located at
550 Second St. Spirit Hunters will share their investigation
findings with tour attendees.
The tour will occur from 5-9 p.m. and transportation will
be provided to tour sites. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5
for students and children and can be purchased from the
Natchitoches Tourist Commission at 781 Front St. or by
calling (800) 259-1714. Tickets can also be purchased at
the American Cemetery and the house tour sites.
 www.historicfoundation.org 2009 christmas tour of homes www.historicfoundation.org

President's Message Cemetery Cleaning Day

Holiday Open House On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, the Natchitoches Historic Foun-

T
dation will sponsor a cemetery cleaning day at the Catholic
he Natchitoches Historic Founda-
Cemetery, which is located between Rue Fifth and Rue Sixth
tion has had a very productive
year, in which several new projects
a Celebration of Heritage and Tradition in Natchitoches. The project will occur between 8 a.m. and
noon. The workshop is free and all cleaning materials will be
have been established. The NHF con-
provided by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation along with
tinues to expand the Adopt-a-Gravestone
a free lunch. Instructors will inform participants of the proper
program in which graves in the Ameri- Secret Garden, Scott Corner House, Cane River 2009 NHF CHRISTMAS TOUR techniques to clean and maintain graves. If you are interested
can and Catholic Cemeteries are being
Townhouses among featured homes in 2009 tour SCHEDULE* in participating, please contact us via our website or by e-mail:
restored. The spring cemetery cleaning
Mary T. Guidry natchitocheshistoricfoundation@gmail.com

I
day at Catholic Cemetery was a huge suc-
f the Christmas spirit hasn't Tour 1: Wednesday- December 9, 16
cess with 30-plus volunteers turning out to learn about proper
visited your home yet, the (5-8 p.m.) - Prudhomme Rouquier, Rusca Mildred Hart Bailey Scholarship
stone cleaning methods. Together, we cleaned more than 80
Natchitoches Historic Founda- House, Judge Porter House and Samuel Winner Spearheads Conserva-
graves and made a big difference. You can view a video from
tion invites you to an event where Guy House. tion plan for NHF Mourning
that event on our website at www.historicfoundation.org.
holiday joy inhabits every dwelling. Collection
Additionally, NHF held its first Haunted History Tour last
Tour 2: Friday- December 11, 18 (5-8 Dean Barnes, a NSU graduate stu-
October and was a tremendous success. The Candlelight Tour
It is the annual Christmas by Can- p.m.) Poete Street Condos, Nakatosh dent in Heritage Resources, was
of Homes will again occur in December and will be featuring
dlelight, a holiday tour of uniquely Hotel & Don Theatre Condos, Scott the 2008-2009 Mildred Hart Bai-
some of Natchitoches' finest homes. Look for dates for this
decorated homes in the Natchi- Corner House. ley Scholarship recipient. Barnes is
year's events throughout this edition of our newsletter. Thank
you again for supporting the Natchitoches Historic Founda- toches, La., area held this year on seen here working with NSU Pro-
Dec. 9-19, Tour 3: Saturday- December 12, 19 (1-4 fessor Jessica Parr as they prepare
tion. It is through your support that the NHF will continue
2009. Pro- p.m.) Secret Garden, Cypress Place, Levy- NHF’s 19th century Mourning Clothing Collection for phot-
its efforts in historic preservation, restoration and education.
ceeds from Greaves Home odocumentation. Barnes worked with Parr and NHF board
a
the tour member Dr. ElizaBeth Guin to assess, document, and prepare
benefit the archival storage recommendations for this collection.
preservation
of cultural
resources
Clip and mail with www.HistoricFoundation.org
in Natchi-
toches, La. check to:
Natchitoches Historic
Yes! I'll Help NHF Preserve the
The event, Foundation, Inc. Legacy of Historic Natchitoches
consisting of three separate tours, will feature beautifully P.O. Box 2351 NHF is advancing the future of our community's past—one historic
decorated homes. What makes Christmas by Candlelight Natchitoches LA 71457 success at a time
so special and unique is that it consists of homes built last As a member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation you
year as well as nearly 300 years ago. will receive our newsletter from the Foundation concern-
Jason Church cleans Edward Rouquier's grave marker in preparation for restor- ing all activities; you are eligible to attend all Foundation
ing the stone. Inset: the marker before (left) and after (right). Circle Level of Giving: activities, including meetings, educational seminars, and
Tickets: • Individual  $25 long-range planning activities.
Adopt-a-Gravestone Project $15 per package • Family $35
Through the Haunted History Tour, which includes tours of $25 for a two-tour package
the American Cemetery and Catholic Cemetery, NHF has Three-tour packages are $35 • Sponsor $100-499
established the Adopt-a-Gravestone program. NHF is con- Group rates are also available • Patron $500-999 Name Title
tracting cemetery experts and conservators to ensure that the Advance tickets can be purchased • Benefactor $1000-4999
grave restorations are properly performed. To date, about 20 at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Company Phone

Commission Office, located at • Preservationist $5000+

gravemarkers have been repaired through the program. To Address
contribute to the restoration of markers in our area, contact 781 Front Street,
NHF through its website at www.historicfoundation.com. Natchitoches, La., 71457 City State Zip
or call 1-800-259-1714

email address