tour natchitoches with barbara

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Barbara (in blue), introducing a group to the wonders of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Minor Basilica now)

See this Classic "Mud House" when you Tour Natchitoches with Barbara (not normally open to the public) Barbara can arrange for your group to tour the House.Interior of the Prud'homme Rouquier House

Interior of the Prud'homme Rouquier House

 

 

Rue Front, Downtown Natchitoches If these bricks on Rue Front could talk! They can't Barbara will tell you their stories.

There Is A Story Behind the Spiral Staircase. Barbara will share it with you

Master Gardener’s Tour, from Hot Springs, Arkansas

Note: Barbara can arrange for your group to tour in style with this trolley (in background). It is so much fun!!

 

 

	The French Came to Natchitoches in 1714.                                                      Now It’s Your Turn. Plan a Romantic Weekend Getaway in Historic Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation has just announced that the Natchitoches Historic District is one of the Five Most Romantic Main Streets in the United States. Here is what they had to say about Front Street in Natchitoches. “What do Main Streets have that the malls don’t? Atmosphere… History… Romance. They’re the place to go for unique experiences. Candle-lit restaurants, unique wedding destinations, charming streets for strolls, intimate wine-tasting rooms, quaint B&Bs, special historic spots — these are just a few of the things that make Main Street districts a romantic destination. This year, we scoured the nation to find the Most Romantic.” Stay in a downtown Inn or a beautifully furnished century old Bed and Breakfast home. Dine on local Cajun and Creole cuisine. Enjoy a Steel Magnolias Tour of the filming sites of the  movie and a visit to a French Creole Plantation when you Tour Natchitoches with Barbara. To schedule a Tour or for help with lodging or meals call or email: info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com 318-352-5469 318-663-5468 (voice or text)     TOUR NATCHITOCHES WITH BARBARA offers customized tours to match your interests and time schedule, specializing in: CRAWFISH HARVESTING TOUR FRENCH CREOLE PLANTATION TOURS “STEEL MAGNOLIAS” FILMING SITES FRENCH COLONIAL FORT ST. JEAN BAPTISTE TOURS OF DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT HISTORIC CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES TOURS ALONG  SCENIC CANE RIVER TOURS FOR TRAVEL WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHIC TOURS TOURS IN SPANISH You may pick and choose and mix and match to plan your day. Combine a City Tour with a Plantation Tour. Have lunch on the plantation grounds. Dine in a local restaurant. Tour in the morning, shop in the afternoon or vice versa. Step-on Guide Services for Bus and Van Tours Downtown Walking/Driving Tours Customized Tours                                    Hours: 8:00 – 4:00 Seven days a week as available.                                   Tour Fee: $30.00 per hour, per group for duration of tour.                                                                Two hour minimum.                                                   $25.00  Planning Fee if guide is to make                                                                arrangements for meals or entrance                                                                 into sites that are not usually open                                                                to the public.                                                               If transportation is needed please ask for                                                               quote at 318-352-5469 or 318-663-5468

Tags: guide, louisiana, natchitoches, natchitoches tour guide, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail

Education Workshops:

TWO DATES, TWO LOCATIONS, TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN

Presidio Los Adaes

The Stone Fort Museum is taking history on the road with two workshops that explore the natural and cultural history of El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Join us for one and one-half days of intensive learning that will give you the knowledge and know-how to interpret and teach the trail.

WHERE & WHEN?

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Thursday, June 7 and Friday, June 8, 2012

Host facility: Natchitoches Event Center

750 Second Street

Victoria, Texas

Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15, 2012

Host facility: Victoria Preservation, Inc.

205 West Goodwin Avenue

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Teachers, museum educators, interpretive planners, natural resource managers, volunteers, and members of

the public interested in better understanding trail history are welcome.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

The workshops will provide participants with the knowledge and know-how to educate others on the trail and

the development of this national resource. Faculty, staff and researchers from across the region will provide

instruction on the history of the trail’s development, the historic landscape, and research methods currently in

use to document trail resources. Participants will take a field trip and tour a remnant of the trace and historic

sites associated with the trail. A resource manual and take-home materials include speakers’ notes, two DVD

presentations on the history of the trail, prepared lesson plans, images and an oversize presentation map of

the trail.

Participants earn 12 hours Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

The Stone Fort Museum is a Department in the College of Liberal & Applied Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University, an approved provider of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

 HOW DO YOU REGISTER?

Registration is $60 per person and includes all sessions, a field trip, a resource manual and four meals.

To reserve a place at one or both workshops, visit the Museum’s website at www.sfasu.edu/stonefort, or

contact us by phone: 936-468-2408, or email: stonefort@sfasu.edu.

El Camino Real de los Tejas Education Workshops are made possible by Challenge Cost Share funds through

the National Trails Intermountain Region Office of the National Park Service. Additional support comes from

Cane River National Heritage Area in Louisiana and Victoria Preservation, Inc. in Texas.

Stone Fort Museum ‐ Stephen F. Austin State University

P.O.Box 6075 Nacogdoches, Texas 75962

(936) 468‐2408 phone (936) 468‐7084 fax

www.sfasu.edu/stonefort stonefort@sfasu.edu

Come to Louisiana. A Big Party is Going On and You Are Invited!

TOUR NATCHITOCHES WITH BARBARA  offers customized tours
to match your interests and time schedule, specializing in:

FRENCH CREOLE PLANTATION TOURS

“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” FILMING SITES

FRENCH COLONIAL FORT ST. JEAN BAPTISTE

TOURS OF DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT

HISTORIC CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES

                                                                    TOURS ALONG  SCENIC CANE RIVER

                                                                    TOURS FOR TRAVEL WRITERS

                                                                    PHOTOGRAPHIC TOURS

                                                                    TOURS IN SPANISH

You may pick and choose and mix and match to plan your day.
Combine a City Tour with a Plantation Tour.
Have lunch on the plantation grounds.
Dine in a local restaurant.
Tour in the morning, shop in the afternoon or vice versa.

Step-on Guide Services for Bus and Van Tours
Downtown Walking/Driving Tours
Customized Tours

         THE FRENCH ARRRIVED IN NATCHITOCHES IN 1714. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

Tags: de los tejas, el camino real, national historic trail, workshops

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

TOUR NATCHITOCHES WITH BARBARA offers customized tours
to match your interests and time schedule, specializing in:

CRAWFISH HARVESTING TOUR

FRENCH CREOLE PLANTATION TOURS

“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” FILMING SITES

FRENCH COLONIAL FORT ST. JEAN BAPTISTE

TOURS OF DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT

HISTORIC CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES

TOURS ALONG  SCENIC CANE RIVER

TOURS FOR TRAVEL WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHIC TOURS

TOURS IN SPANISH

You may pick and choose and mix and match to plan your day.
Combine a City Tour with a Plantation Tour.
Have lunch on the plantation grounds.
Dine in a local restaurant.
Tour in the morning, shop in the afternoon or vice versa.

Step-on Guide Services for Bus and Van Tours
Downtown Walking/Driving Tours
Customized Tours

                                   Hours: 8:00 – 4:00 Seven days a week as available.

(318) 352-5469 OR (318) 663-5468 (VOICE OR TEXT)

E-MAIL:       info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

THE FRENCH ARRIVED IN NATCHITOCHES IN 1714. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

 

Rue Front, Downtown Natchitoches

Cane River Bordered in a Serpentine Route by Marvelous Trees

Tags: guide, louisiana, natchitoches, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Clementine Hunter of Melrose Plantation

This photograph of Clementine Hunter was taken by a 23 year old Jeff Kilgo. It was dropped in a box and forgotten for decades.Thanks to Jodi Belgard it has come to light for our enjoyment. Belgard writes:

“ This portrait of artist Clementine Hunter was taken in 1987 by then 22-year-old Jeff Kilgo of Ball. Kilgo’s father, Warren, was a traveling salesman with Hub City Mercantile, and it was through his work that he met Hunter. Kilgo, who was a commercial photography major at Northwestern State University, took the photo with a 4×5 camera, but due to technical flaws, he never turned in the photo. Kilgo now lives in Fredericksburg, Va., and he rediscovered the negative a few years ago. This is the first time the photo has been reproduced”.  

Thank you Jeff Kilgo and Jodi Belgard. To the former for capturing a portrait of a remarkable lady and to the latter for making it available to we who admire her image and heritage.  

Tour Natchitoches with Barbara will help you with your customized tour of Melrose Plantation where you will view an impressive collection of the famous African American artist. See where she lived and worked. 

Big House, Melrose Plantation, 1833

 

 

 

 

 

        

                                                                                                                               African House where Clementine’s mural of plantation life is located.

 THE FRENCH ARRIVED IN NATCHITOCHES IN 17134. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

Tags: african american artist, clementine, hunter, plantation

Clementine Hunter (December 4, 1886/1887 – January 1, 1988) worked at Melrose Plantation on the Cane River in Northwest Louisiana for many years. When she painted, she said she was going to “mark a picture” and she really did leave her mark on her art and on the Melrose Plantation where she lived and worked. Thus began her career, achieving considerable success during her lifetime. Hunter gained support from numerous people associated with Melrose Plantation including François Mignon and James Register..

Hunter has become one of the most renouned, self-taught artists in the United States and is often referred to as the Black Grandma Moses. 

Hunter is regarded as:

•  a social historian who captured portrayals of various scenes of a dying plantation life, including picking cotton, gathering pecans, washing clothes, baptisms and funeral scenes.
• inovative and creative for painting on any material she could find, particularly discarded items such as window shades, cardboard boxes, jugs, bottles, and gourds.
• having created her best work in the period from the 1940s to 1960s. She most definitely put her “mark” on the art world.

One of Clementine Hunter’s best known works  is located in “The African House” on the grounds of Melrose Plantation. The entirety of the walls is covered in a mural Hunter painted in 1955 depicting scenes of Cane River plantation life. Upon it’s original completion, a local newspaper ran the headline: “A 20th Century Woman of Color Finishes a Story Begun 200 Years Ago by an 18th Century Congo-Born Slave Girl, Marie-Therese, the original grantee of Melrose Plantation.”

See Beautiful Old Historic Plantations on Cane River.

Contact Tour Natchitoches with Barbara today to schedule you customized tour.

(318) 352-5469  (318) 663-5468 (voice or text)

info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

Louis Metoyer, from a Spanish Land Grant in the late 1700′s, began what is now known as Melrose. The oldest dwellings date to circa 1796. The Main House was built in 1833. The complex includes seven outbuildings, each dedicated to its own purpose. The Oak trees on the grounds are over 250 years old and are adorned with Resurrection Fern. Melrose has been a yucca, indigo and cotton plantation. It was built by Free People of Color who were its first residents.  It has been an Artists Colony. It was the work place of Clementine Hunter, a world renowned Folk Artist.

Tags: clementine, hunter, melrose, plantation

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

There is a special table in a special place dedicated to a special person. It is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana in the Merci Beaucoup Restaurant and it is called ”Tom’s Table”. Tom founded a group called “The Gerousia”. Gerousia  seems to be defined differently by every member of the group. One thing we all agree upon. Tom presided at his table. On one occasion when several members were talking on their cell phones, in exasperation, Tom took out his wallet, opened it and cupped it to his ear and began a fake conversation with his “cell phone” wallet. We all got the message but Tom did not always command the respect he felt he deserved. There are many happy memories associated with “Tom”s table. Now that he is gone, it is different but in no way is he forgotten. We are all richer because Tom brought us together at his table. I for one will always be grateful for my place at “Tom’s Table”. (you can see the names of The Gerousia on the picture below).

When you visit Natchitoches, dine at Merci Beaucoup. Ask your wait person if “Tom’s Table” is available. If it is and you enjoy a meal there, look at the photo hanging on the wall. Perhaps you too will have your meal enriched with the humor, laughter and fellowship that was so common every Monday at lunch time around his table.

After dining at Merci Beaucoup, you might like to take a Plantation Tour, a Tour of the Downtown Historic District or a Tour of the filming sites of the classic movie “Steel Magnolias” and hear the real story behind the play and movie. Save time for shopping. Natchitoches has many unique shops and stores with very reasonable prices.

Vicki Murchison Tim Murchison and Katie Murchison

Tim (son) Katie (grandaughter, Vicki (wife) of Tom Murchison

Merci Beaucoup Restaurant (in foreground)

 

 

 

 

                                The French Came to Natchitoches in 1714.
                                                     Now It’s Your Turn.

 

HOW TO CONTACT BARBARA:

(318) 352-5469

(318) 663-5468 {VOICE OR TEXT}

info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

Tags: louisiana, natchitoches, Tom Murchison

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara 

Can you imagine ravens communicating. I thought they could only say one word. “Nevermore”. But then in a ‘Poe-tic” way they were quothing, I suppose. Now I learn that the corvids (jays,crows, and ravens) make tools, cooperate and hide their food from other birds. In a most interesting article in the February 2012 Smithsonian magazine, (“Wild Things: Life As We Know It”), T.A. Frail, Laura Helmuth, Joseph Stromberg, Erin Wayman and Sarah Zielinski tell us that:

“Researchers in the Austrian Alps have observed ravens gesturing. In male-female pairs, one bird picked up a stick or bit of moss and pointed or waggled it. The other then approached. It is a first for non-apes, the biologists say, evidence that corvids ‘rival even primates in many social cognitive domains’.”

How do we say “Please come here” when we want you to visit Natchotoches? We say “THE FRENCH CAME TO NATCHITOCHES IN 1714. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN”.

Tags: guide servicelouisiana, natchitoches, tourism

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Louisiana Bicentennial License

It seemed like a simple proposition. The process for a territory to become a state was laid out in the Ordinance of 1787, predating the ratification of the United States Constitution. Its conditions were the following:

• a territory must have a population of at least 60,000
• then one delegate for every 1,200 residents must meet in convention to decide if statehood is desired
• with an affirmative decision, these delegates draft a constitution, which could not conflict with the American Constitution
• a petition would then be presented to the United States Congress
• once passed by the the House and the Senate and signed by the president, admission to the Union is granted.

All this seems simple enough but in the case of Louisiana it was far from a simple process. What were the issues that caused concern?

1. Louisiana was the first state west of the Mississippi River and a part of the Louisiana Purchase Territory to seek statehood. It is seldom easy to be first.

2. The admission of another state from any new territory would dilute the power and influence of the original states of the Union. This would be reflected in the membership of the Senate and the House.

3. Louisiana had no fixed borders. According to Napoleon “You get what we got!” Who really knew what that was.

4. Louisiana had no democratic  traditions. The states that grew out of the British colonies had exposure to English Common Law. Louisiana’s law was based on the Napoleonic Code. Louisiana’s traditions were based upon French and Spanish Divine Right monarchies.

5. Louisiana was Roman Catholic. This created deep concern among predominately Protestant American citizens.

6. Louisiana people spoke foreign languages: French and Spanish.

7. The city of New Orleans was notorious as a “Sin City” for its unique culture which included violence, gambling, prostitution, drinking and other depravities.

8. Perhaps the most important thing, Louisiana, because of its French and Spanish legal system, had a different approach to slavery from other states of the Union. Louisiana had a large population, very wealthy and influential, of Free People of Color. They played a vital role in the economic and cultural life of the community. This frightened most Americans.

Source: “How Louisiana Became a State: If You Think Politics is Rough Now” by Ron Chapman. Louisiana Life, March/April 2012)

As we celebrate Louisian’s Statehood Bicentennial (1812-2012), we can celebrate our rich cultural heritage and even the turbulent days of Louisian’s infancy as a State. From those first steps we can walk confidently toward a promising future.

 

                                The French Came to Natchitoches in 1714.
                                                     Now It’s Your Turn.

Plan a Romantic Weekend Getaway in Historic Natchitoches, Louisiana. 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has just announced that the Natchitoches Historic District
is one of the Five Most Romantic Main Streets in the United States. Here is what they had to say
about Front Street in Natchitoches.

“What do Main Streets have that the malls don’t? Atmosphere…
History… Romance. They’re the place to go for unique experiences. Candle-lit restaurants, unique wedding
destinations, charming streets for strolls, intimate wine-tasting rooms, quaint B&Bs, special historic spots —
these are just a few of the things that make Main Street districts a romantic destination. This year, we scoured
the nation to find the Most Romantic.”

Stay in a downtown Inn or a beautifully furnished century old Bed and Breakfast home. Dine on local Cajun and Creole cuisine. Enjoy a Steel Magnolias Tour of the filming sites of the  movie and a visit to a French Creole Plantation when you
Tour Natchitoches with Barbara. To schedule a Tour or for help with lodging or meals call or email:
info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

We will give you a tour in Spanish if you choose.

318-352-5469
318-663-5468

Tags: bicentennial, history, louisiana, statehood

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

View from Rue Front. Roque House on Cane River

Natchitoches has been named as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. This is the 11th consecutive year Natchitoches has earned the national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees.  Sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree City USA program is in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA community must have a tree department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. 

Tulips,Tree, Cane River View From Rue Front

Tour Natchitoches with Barbara and enjoy the trees of the City of Natchitoches and the lower Cane River French Creole Plantations with the 300 year old oak alleys.

Barbara’s Tours have included:

• Master Gardeners
• Garden Clubs
• Travel Writers
• Photographers
• Tour for a blind lady (who loved the huge oaks). See blog post for February 29, 2012 “What the Blind Lady Saw When She Visited Natchitoches”.

For Booking and Information:  (318) 352-5469, (318) 663-5468 (voice or text)

 e-mail: info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

Magnolia Blossom

"Steel Magnolias" House

 THE FRENCH CAME TO NATCHITOCHES IN 1714.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

Tags: louisiana, natchitoches, tours, trees

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Melrose Plantation with large Oak Tree

Recently, Barbara had the pleasure of conducting a tour of Natchitoches with a blind lady. It is astounding what can be done when you put two talented women together. One, a very engaging woman who was once sighted but lost her eyesight. A self-pitying, stay-at-home victim? Not on your life. This life-loving, adventuresome lady was ready to tour Natchitoches. Add to the mix a very imaginative and creative tour guide, who is always ready to take “the road less traveled”, and you have a dynamic duo. How did they do it? The following will give you examples.

)1( How large is that 300 year oak tree in the front of a French Creole Plantation?

Oakland Main House with Oak Trees

When adjectives fail you, you take a “hands on approach”. Standing at the tip of the longest branch of the oak tree, they walked toward the trunk and counted steps. It was well over twenty steps.  She then hugged the trunk and embraced the mighty oak. This gives a new insight to the term “tree hugger”. Literally the guest embraced 300 years of history. If only trees could talk. Maybe they can, come to think of it.

)2( How can you describe “bousillage”? It is a mixture of mud, Spanish moss (and some would say animal hair as a binder) used by Native Americans, Spanish and the French in constructing their houses. A tactile experience can give an idea. Our visitor touched an exposed surface and felt “bousillage”.  The history of Natchitoches can be a “touching experience” for adventuresome visitors.

Bousillage

The French Came to Natchitoches in 1714.                                                      Now It’s Your Turn. Plan a Romantic Weekend Getaway in Historic Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation has just announced that the Natchitoches Historic District Stay in a downtown Inn or a beautifully furnished century old Bed and Breakfast home. Dine on local Cajun and Creole cuisine. Enjoy a Steel Magnolias Tour of the filming sites of the  movie and a visit to a French Creole Plantation when you Tour Natchitoches with Barbara. To schedule a Tour or for help with lodging or meals call or email: info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com 318-352-5469 318-663-5468

Tags: customized, guide, louisiana, melrose, natchitoches, tours