tour natchitoches with barbara

Cane River Lake, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

• What do the following have in common?
•  )8(  St. Augustine Catholic Church
•  )8(  Fountain near Rue Front
• )8(   Melrose, Magnolia and Oakland Plantations
• )8(   our back yard
• )8(  Flueu de Lis Stage
• )8(  Cane River Creole National Historic  Park
• )8(  Replica of Fort St. Jean Baptiste
• )8(  Lemee House

Answer: They are all on Cane River Lake in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

View Cane River from Rue Front

Riverfront in downtown Natchitoches

Cane River at Sunset from My Back YardCane River Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from Rue Front with Fountain, Natchitoches

THE FRENCH CAME TO NATCHITOCHES IN 1714.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

Tags: cane river lake, louisiana, natchitoches, parish

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Brick Oven and Forge

“There were among the slaves many who were skilled artizans (sic),” says Lillian C. Bourgeois in her historical account of St. James Parish (Louisiana). She writes:

“Each plantation had its kiln, its forge, its carpenter shop. Of the three, the forge with its slave blacksmith, came nearest to being the cornerstone of the plantation, for blacksmiths were aristocrats among slaves during the Spanish and American periods”. (also during the French period).

 A certain “Old Solomon,” a Negro blacksmith lived and worked at a French Creole plantation on the Cane River south of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Picturesque, “with a long beard down over his chest and number 14 shoes on his feet,” Solomon Williams fashioned elabatate iron drills and augers used to tap (accidentally) Louisiana’s first natural gas well around 1821 on the plantation of P. Phanor Puudhomme of Natchitoches Parish. Old Solomon was drilling for water, but after encountering two gas flows he finally abandoned the project at a depth of 400 feet”. (More on this in future blog posts).

{Source: Marcus Christian Negro Ironworkers of Louisiana 1718-1900, Pelican Publishing Co,, Gretna, 2002}

On the Oakland Plantation, all the iron works, plows, hinges, locks, tools for the fields and more were fashioned by the blacksmith. His craftsmanship and usefulness cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, the blacksmith shop did not survive at Oakland. The contributions and heritage left by Solomon Williams can still be seen.

Oakland Main House

Plantation Store

 

Prud’homme Home 1821-1994

 

Tags: blacksmiths, ironworkers, louisiana, negro, plantations

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

The Code Noir (Black Code)

Magnolia Plantation Slave Cabin

“According to his 1787 analysis of the Code Noir, Louis Sela-Molins claimed that its two primary objectives were to assert French sovereignty in her colonies and to secure the future of the cane sugar plantation economy. Central to these goals was control of the slave trade. The Code aimed to provide a legal framework for slavery, to establish protocol governing the conditions of colonial inhabitants, and to end illegal slave trade. Religious morals also governed the crafting of the Code Noir – this was in part a result of the influence of the influx of Catholic leaders arriving in Martinique between 1673 and 1685″.

(Source Wikipedia)

 Some of the provisions of  the Code Noir were well intentioned. However, the Code was never effectively or strictly enforced, in particular with regard to protection to slaves and limitations on corporal punishment.

Tour the sites where enslaved Africans lived and worked, hear their stories and learn of their accomplishments and ultimate successes. Contact Tour Natchitoches with Barbara today and schedule a customized tour for your group.

Telephone: (318) 352-5469 or (318) 663-5468 voice or text.

Website:   www.tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

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

Tags: Black Code, Code Noir, louisiana, natchitoches

                                                “STEEL MAGNIOLIAS’ SEE THE PLACES, HEAR THE REAL LIVE STORY

When Barbara Bailey first announced her “Steel Magnolias Tour” (2009) in Natchitoches (pronounced “Na-Ka-Tosh”) she stated:  “As engaging as I find the movie, the real live story behind the movie is even more fascinating. It has warmth, humor and the capacity to touch something very deep within us”. The Steel Magnolias Tour” is available with a number of options offered by Barbara’s Company “Tour Natchitoches with Barbara” .

Plan a Romantic Weekend in historic Natchitoches, Louisiana. Stay in a downtown Inn or a beautifully furnished century old Bed and Breakfast home. Dine on local  cuisine. Enjoy a Steel Magnolias Tour 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

Staff Photo Tri-Star Pictures

Barbara’s Invitation to you and your group is:

THE FRENCH CAME TO NATCHITOCHES. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

"Steel Magnolias" House

Quiser's House in movie (The Lemee House, managed by APHN )

Tags: "Steel Magnolias", guide, louisiana, natchitoches, tour

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Spice up your conversation, imagination and your life!

1. Visit new and fascinating places.

2. Talk with intriguing people.

3.  Dine with exquisite food

4. Experience renewal by living, thinking and exploring outside the box. 

5. Take a class, learn another language or a new hobby.

6. Take an adventure tour.

7. Take a break. You may be in a rut. A romantic getaway .

     (in a Bed and Breakfast perhaps).

Tags: guide, louisiana, natchitoches, tours

Living Historians with Barbara at Ft. St. Jean Baptiste

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

What time is it in Natchitoches? Central Standard Time? Daylight Savings Time? French Colonial Period? Spanish Colonial Period? Native American culture before the arrival of Europeans? The first Americans with the purchase of Louisiana from France?

Plantation Store, Oakland

Visit Melrose Plantation where Clementine Hunter worked and painted in more modern times. Her impressive murals are on display in the African House (at right). Learn about the artist colony that functioned on this French Creole Plantation and and famous writers who lived there.

Cast of Steel Magnolias

Tags: colonial, festival of lights, history, louisiana, natchitoches, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Lyle Saxon’s friend Flo Field lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans as did Saxon. When it was suggested that she take people through the French Quarter on tour, Flo protested:

“Oh, I never could, I do not know enough.”

Lyle Saxon quickly responded:

“Oh, yes you do, Flo, you’ll say ‘Oh, my God! Look at that balcony’!”

(Frederick Oeschner, “A La Creole”:Its Story of Vieux Carre, NOTP, 13 February 1927, Editorials, p. 6. as related By Chance Harvey in The Life and Selected Letters of Lyle Saxon)

By this critieron I could be a  Natchitoches Tour Guide.  Nevertheless I cannot see going to Melrose Plantation and saying to a group “My God look at that big house! Nor can I envisage conducting a “Steel Magnolias Tour and exclaiming “My God, look at the Steel Magnolias House! People expect more.

More is what you get with a tour conducted by a professional tour guide in Natchitoches.

   or by e-mail:   
info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

Lyle Saxon 1925, in front of his cabin at Melrose Plantation, Natchitoches

Melrose Plantation at Christmas

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

FRENCH CREOLE PLANTATION TOURS

“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” FILMING SITES

"Steel Magnolias" House

FRENCH COLONIAL FORT ST. JEAN BAPTISTE

French Marines were stationed at the 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 Came to Natchitoches in 1714.
                                                     Now It’s Your Turn.

Tags: lyle saxon, melrose plantation, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

ABC News really got my attention with this announcement by Elizabeth Kreutz.

“If three makes a trend, then it seems we’ve got one. Following in the footsteps of ’80s movie classics, “Footloose” and “Dirty Dancing,” the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias“ will now be getting a remake.”

This is not just your average remake of a movie. This is a remake with a remarkable twist.

According to a Sony studio representative, Lifetime is developing the contemporary version of the film that will feature an all-black cast. The original movie cast included Dolly Parton, Sally Fields, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Julia Roberts.

Reported October 12 by ABC News

The “Steel Magnolias Tour”, offered by Tour Natchitoches with Barbara is hands down the most requested tour. The movie has become a classic and has an almost cult following with many people. The Broadway play and movie are based on the true story (more than “loosely based” as reported by ABC) of the playwright Bobby Harling’s family. I am not sure I would want to remake this movie, cast it and release it when it is so beloved just as it is. If this movie is really produced, it remains to be seen how it will be received. As for this writer, I would not meddle with a story loved by so many people. If it is controvery the producers seek, I suspect they will find it in abundance.

Tags: "Steel Magnolias" movie, natchitoches, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Relax! I did not mean to alarm you. There are no warrants and your picture is not in the Post Office (I hope). What I refer to are several groups who want you to visit and are eagerly awaiting your arrival. Read the sign. We really mean it.

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

Just who awaits your arrival in Natchitoches?

1. Your friends await your visit:

• some have moved here or retired here. Smart friends!
• some are just waiting for you to call them and plan your visit:

             girlfriends outings, Sunday School Class excursions and family get-togethers.

• some are the friendly people in Natchitoches who would love to spoil you, hear your stories, tell you theirs and make new friends.
  

  St. Augustine Catholic Church, Melrose, La.

2. Your ancestors may well be waiting for you to visit. Their stories cry out to be heard, re-told and passed on to future generations. You may have family waiting for you to visit in Natchitoches if you are:

French Creole, Cane River Creole, French, African American, Spanish,

Haitian, Native American, or Hispanic. (or any combination of the above). The list could go on.

There are great sources to discover your family history in Natchitoches: Genealogical Library in the Old Courthouse with extremely friendly and helpful staff to assist you, Court House records, Church records, cementery records and the Creole Center at Northwestern Sate University. (This is not a comprehensive list).

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Old Courthouse (Genealogical Library)

3. Your Natchitoches Tour Guide, Barbara, awaits your visit. Barbara will help you connect to your family, visit the sites that interest you most, step-on your bus as your guide, arrange your stay in one of Natchitoches’ superior Bed and Breakfast Inns, steer you to the best places to dine and shop and arrange private dining and meeting places for your group. When she welcomes you and your group to Natchitoches, you will know instantly you have a friend in this French Colonial City.

CALL BARBARA TODAY:

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

info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

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

Tags: genealogy, guide, natchitoches, tours

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Tour Natchitoches with Barbara

Roman myths developed about Aeneas during several centuries. Roman tradition held that Aeneas fought with great courage in Troy until messages from Aphrodite and Hector convinced him to leave the city. With his aged father on his back and holding his young son by the hand, Aeneas escaped burning Troy along with his followers. His wife, Creusa, was separated from him and the fleeing Trojans. Aeneas returned to search for her unsuccessfully.

“Aeneas and his followers found safety on Mount Ida, where they began building ships. After several months, they set sail to the west. Dreams and omens told Aeneas that he was destined to found a new kingdom in the land of his ancestors, the country today called Italy”.  

Read more: Aeneas – Myth Encyclopedia – mythology, Greek, god, story, legend, names, ancient, war, world, Roman http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/A-Am/Aeneas.html#ixzz1ZdUO1HI2

Aeneas Flight from Troy by Federico Barocci

Aeneas had his aged father on his back (the voice in the ear) and his young son by the hand (the tug of the hand). It appears to me that this could be a metaphor for those of us interested in preservation.

As we seek to preserve historic sites, both structures and lands, we are urged on and encouraged by the “voices in the ear” of our fathers and mothers and all the generations who preceded us. All the mission and vision statements of preservation organizations, for me, are our way of seeking to hear accurately and act appropriately to fulfill our mandate to preserve our historic and cultural heritage.

The “tug at the hand” represents the stewardship we exercise for our sons and daughters and future generations. Let us always remember we are not the owners but the stewards, trustees, managers of the precious patrimony with which we have been entrusted.

We invite you to see the treasures of Natchitoches.  Tour Natchitoches with Barbara not only loves to show you these sites but loves the sites we will show you.

We encourage you to get involved in preservation. A good place to start would be to become a member of:

The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (click here for more information)

Trinity Episcopal Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

	The French Came to Natchitoches in 1714.                                                      Now It’s Your Turn. CONTACT BARBARA TODAY (318) 352-5469 OR (318) 663-5468 info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com

Tags: natchitoches, preservation, tours