Melrose featured for Girls Getaway

Posted on May 13, 2013 by adamforeman

Come enjoy a Girls Getaway – Steel Magnolias Style June 7-9, 2013, in beautiful Natchitoches Louisiana.
Three days of fun-filled events will make memories for a lifetime with your closest girlfriends or family members. Registration entitles GIRLS to discounts and events, a portion of the proceeds from Girls Getaway will go to the Children’s Heart Foundation. For information on Accommodations Click here and for our Schedule of Events click here.

Melrose is featured as a stop on the Girls Getaway “Steel Magnolia Style”. Join us at Melrose Plantation on Friday Night from 4-6pm for a special Clementine Hunter exhibit with a wine and cheese reception and tour of Melrose. $15.00/per person. Private Event that is limited to participants of the Girls Getaway (must wear for admission scarf)

Contact Lanie at 318-652-7078 should you have any questions.

or visit http://www.natchitocheshdba.org for more information

This event is hosted by the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association. Information: http://www.natchitocheshdba.org/

Now Hiring: Facility Manager

Posted on May 13, 2013 by adamforeman

Facility Manager:

We are seeking a part-time Facility Manager for the maintenance of historic properties owned by a non-profit association in Natchitoches Parish Louisiana.

Primary responsibilities include maintenance and housekeeping of a historic house museum and 8 support structures. General maintenance and upkeep of a ruin site and a town home that serves as the association headquarters will be included. In addition to maintenance, the ideal candidate will also serve as an onsite supervisor for front line employees including scheduling and attendance. In addition, the candidate will help supervise onsite independent contractors and provide assistance during association events and private rentals.

Experience in general maintenance or construction is required. Ideal candidates must have an ability to work with the public, take direction, and be a self-starter. Experience or knowledge in historic preservation and historic housekeeping is preferred. A degree in historic preservation, construction management, or a related field is best.

Pay includes housing, internet, utilities, and an hourly rate for 25-30 hours a week. Applications due by June 3, 2013. To apply: attach a detailed resume with references to info@melroseplantation.orgor mail to APHN Executive Director, PO Box 2248, Natchitoches LA 71457

Melrose Library: An Exhibit to be proud of

Posted on February 7, 2013 by adamforeman

Melrose is in the process of updating, improving, and developing exhibit spaces throughout the house museum and historic site.

Staff sorting books

Melrose staff began work on the morning of January 21 by removing each book from the library and sorting it according to its age and if it was owned by the Henry family.Significant damaged books were also sorted out for proper storage.

While sorting through the books, we found this neat library stamp. I do not know the origins or the story behind this stamp however we found quite a few books that had. If you happen to know the story on this sort of stamp, please let us know!

By the end of day 1 the library was empty and installation of the new lighting began. The site caretaker installed florescent inside the book cases to provide off-set room lighting and drawing the visitor’s attention to the books on display. The top shelf in each section was trimmed down about 2 inches to allow more light to flow into the book case. Each shelf was then vacuumed, cleaned, and touch up paint was added where necessary.

Melrose Library empty

Books were vacuumed and carefully placed back on display; additional collection items and furniture were moved back into the room. The next step to finish the project is to install the necessary conservation tools to further protect the collection of books at Melrose.After 4 days of exhibit work, the library was reopend and the first group to see the work completed was students from Mansfield High School. Their teacher commented “It didn’t look this good last year!”We are excited to be able to provide visitors with a new experience in the Library exhibit and hope to continue improving and meeting our visitor’s expectations each day. Plus, creating new exhibits…is just fun!

This project is supported by a gift from The Rapides Foundation

Library Exhibit at Melrose Plantation

Economic Impact of Fall Tour of Homes

Posted on December 18, 2012 by adamforeman

Fall Tour: A Vital Economic Asset
(Presented by: Schulz, B., Yandell, K., Springer, M., Walen, D., James, K., Walker, J., and Smith, J.)

Graduate students from Northwestern State University completed an economic impact study for the APHN Fall Tour of Homes. Here are the results: They may shock you!

The purpose of the Economic Impact Study is to assess the financial impact of the tour and project the amount of ‘new money’ created in the community of Natchitoches, Louisiana. If there are a large number of attendees who travel more than 30 miles to partake in the 58^th Annual Fall Pilgrimage Tour of homes, then a positive economic impact will be estimated for the city and surrounding communities. The 2012 Fall Tour brought an estimated $509,000 in economic impact to the community.

93 surveys were collected at random. Questions included the participant identifying where they live, how many are traveling in their group, how long they were staying in town, and estimated spending on food, drinks, souvenirs, lodging, and gas.

Using the average ticket price of $37.66; approximately 536 tickets were purchased for the Tour of Homes.

“New Money” is defined as money introduced into the community that would not be available to the area (over 30 miles). $27,278 of new money was spent (ticket sale not included). In other words, each visitor who came to Natchitoches only for Tour of Homes spent $357.82. The total money (people coming just for Fall Tour and people who would be in Natchitoches anyway) was $27,820.

The impact multiplier for Natchitoches is 2.8 which makes the economic impact of Fall Tour of Homes approximately $509,037.73.

This study has several limitations including the fact that ticket sales are roughly estimated and the data from participants is self-reported. But these numbers are shocking. Fall Tour has an enormous impact on the local economy with 57% spent on food and lodging; hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants benefit most from the event.

What we discovered during this project is that primarily “new money” is generated. This is money that would not have been spent in Natchitoches without Fall Tour of Homes. We have a “tangible opportunity to increase the local economy,” and APHN is proud to have such an impact on the vitality of the community.

Levy-East Fire: Arson arrest made

Posted on September 25, 2012 by adamforeman

Fire consumed the Levy East House on June 19, 2012

Lafayette Woman Arrested for Arson in Natchitoches Sep 24, 2012, by katc

NATCHITOCHES, LA.- State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning released information today relating to an arrest made in an arson fire which occurred on June 19, 2012, at the Levy-East Bed & Breakfast, 358 Jefferson St. in Natchitoches, LA.

Investigators determined the fire, which caused damage in excess of one-half million dollars to the unoccupied building, was intentionally set. A multi-agency investigation involving the Louisiana State Police, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office ensued.

During the three month long investigation, investigators learned that 55-year-old Nancy L. Rogers of Lafayette, was seen at the home hours before the fire was set. Based on evidence and information collected, investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for Rogers’ home in Lafayette. As a result of the evidence gathered during the investigation, a warrant for Rogers’ arrest was secured.

Today, investigators arrested Rogers at her home in Lafayette without incident. She was booked into the Lafayette Parish Jail for one count of simple arson. She is being held with no bond.

Books Frozen in Time

Posted on August 24, 2012 by adamforeman

Ongoing Conservation: An organization recovering from a 2008 fire

Dylan LeBlanc, removing paper from frozen books

Since the 2008 Bayou Folk Museum fire in Cloutierville, seventeen books remained frozen at Melrose Plantation. Freezing artifacts is a common method of emergency response and disaster recovery for Historic Sites. Freezing can stabilize documents indefinitely. In the case of the Bayou Folk Museum, freezing was intended to be a temporary solution until a conservation plan could be developed and administered.

Since 2008, Northwestern State University has been forced by state budget cuts to trim down their degree offerings. One such program to be cut was the Heritage Resources undergraduate and graduate programs. Students and faculty of the program were going to administer the conservation plan and use the project as a student field study. As the program was dismantled, so was the hope of a quick response to the frozen books.

Adam Foreman, interleafing defrosting books

The books remained frozen until 2012 when Adam Foreman, Executive Director, identified the project as a critical priority. During the week of August 11, the books were removed from the freezer and the project of air-drying them was started. Fans loaned from APHN volunteers and a dehumidifier loaned from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training were used along with a generous donation of newsprint from the Natchitoches Times. Foreman describes the project, “when we first took the books out, the smell of smoke was so overwhelming, as if the fire was yesterday.”

No one on staff had experience with this sort of conservation treatment so it took a week to plan this project. “We only had one shot to do it correctly,” said Foreman, “the staff and volunteers associated with this project were eager to learn and help and that made all the difference.” The project went smoothly with no complications and the books took four days to thoroughly dry.

Saved: Bayou Folk by Kate Chopin

After four years of being frozen in time, the books remain stable and have been placed in permanent collections storage at Melrose Plantation. Though not much was salvaged from the interior of the Bayou Folk Museum, they are a symbol of a community and an organization continuing to heal after the loss of such a beautiful historic site like the Alexis Cloutier house.

Melrose Plantation and the Bayou Folk Museum are owned by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.

APHN Partners with LTHP for Focus Research

Posted on August 8, 2012 by adamforeman

The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches is partnering with the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation during a state wide preservation survey. Preservation groups across the state are searching for ways to adapt and remain relevant while providing the best services to their respective communities. The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation will be hosting a series of focus group sessions to learn how to better serve communities in Louisiana.

“The preservation focus series is a fantastic idea and the perfect way to reach community partners across the state. We are proud to be involved in such a game changing program.” – Adam T. Foreman, APHN Executive Director

How can you help? Tell us your needs! While the mission of the Louisiana Trust is state wide advocacy; it is important to adapt to the communities we serve. Do you think that the historic tax credits are too difficult to understand or may not cover as much as they should? How exactly does heritage tourism impact communities? What grants are available for historic home owner restoration projects? Is there a way to make historic windows energy efficient? What resources does Louisiana offer to preservationist? How can we protect historic structures from fire?

All of these are such great questions that help preservation organizations including APHN and LTHP understand the preservation needs of our state. Comment on this thread with your questions for the series. The series will focus on everything from ‘brick and mortar’ preservation, tourism in Louisiana, and preservation minded legislation.

Tell the Louisiana Trust and the Association the preservation needs of your local community. Comment Below!

Fire poses combustible threat to Natchitoches culture

Posted on July 12, 2012 by adamforeman

B&B’s destruction reminder of devastating 2008 loss along Cane River
By Craig Durrett Natchitoches, La. -

Fire consumed the Levy East House on June 19, 2012

Nothing like a devastating fire in a century-old structure to raise the alarm on historic preservation. The fire that gutted the 150-year-old Levy-East House Bed and Breakfast, considered a “pivotal’’ architectural component of the Natchitoches historic district, brings to mind the 2008 destruction of the Kate Chopin House, a 200-year-old Creole-style home about 20 minutes away in Cloutierville.Four years later, the guardians of the Chopin property and the nearby Melrose Plantation continue to be prodded by that fire, but because of the expense involved, still haven’t implemented a full-blown fire mitigation plan. “We’re in the process right now of developing a better fire suppression system,’’ said Adam Foreman, Executive Director of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, a group that also manages the Lemee House, a historic house only a short distance from the Levy Bed and Breakfast.

: Kate Chopin House Ruins, Cloutierville LA

Such proximity drives home the message that prevention is only part of the formula. Containment is the other. In their rural settings, the Chopin property and Melrose are not serviced by a fully staffed professional fire department. Response time relying for a volunteer fire department can be an issue as was the case with the 2008 fire. A number of the buildings on the Melrose Plantation – the site also dates back to the turn of the 18th century – don’t even have water lines running to them. Fire extinguishers, the least costly measure, have been put in each room. Equipping the plantation with fire hoses is planned, but a sprinkler system remains an unfunded goal.

But buildings are only part of the equation. “Our job is to protect the cultural history of the area,’’ said Foreman. Thus the disaster response plan prioritizes artifacts to be saved if possible. Old photographs, Clementine Hunter paintings and a 90-year-old scrapbook compiled by a former owner are among the items on the list. The plan focuses on things that can be carried by one or two people, he adds, thus very little furniture is on the list.

With federal and state dollars increasingly short, preservation groups will continue to rely on self-generated dollars generated by visitors and donations by private individuals or foundation grants. The association’s website invites membership for [ as little as ]$35 annually. Donations can also be sent to the APHN at P.O. Box 2248, Natchitoches, La. 71457