116 Pearl Street Then

116 Pearl Street Then
1920's Photo of Pearl Street

116 Pearl Street Today

116 Pearl Street Today
Our new location

Welcome To The Dorcheat Museum Blog

Thank you for visiting the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum Blog. The Dorcheat Historical Museum opened June 10th, 2008. Our hours are, Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., closed for lunch from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., open again from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. - noon and also by appointment for special showings and meetings. We would like to invite you to visit our location at 116 Pearl Street in Minden, Louisiana. We look forward to sharing our history with you.
For more information please contact museum director
Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.

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Marathon on Broadway

Marathon on Broadway
Put Your Dancing Shoes On And Show Your Support Of The Museum

Marathon On Broadway

Marathon On Broadway
Don't Miss This Fun Way To Raise Money

Some Important Information

"Marathon On Broadway"

Dorcheat Historical Association Takes Part In Festival Of Memories… By Remembering the Great Depression
Dance Marathons of the 1920s and 1930s
Dorcheat Historical Association Takes Part In Festival Of Memories… By Remembering the Great Depression
The Dorcheat Historical Association invites you to put your dancing shoes on for the November 6th - 7th, 2009 24 hour “Marathon on Broadway”. This dance marathon reminiscent of the marathons that became fads during the depression era will be a step literally back in time, with dancers competing for the chance to win some big money! This event will take place at the Minden Civic Center as a fundraiser for the museum. The event will be open to the public for viewing with a $5.00 admission fee. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on site. Participants will be in 3 categories with dancers as young as 12 allowed to dance with a guardian’s permission. Prizes awarded in all categories plus a Grand Prize of $1000 will be awarded to one lucky winner. Pre-registration is $20 per person, $25 per person day of event. Age divisions are as follows 12-40, 41-59, 60 plus. Museum director Schelley Brown stated, “The different age groups will be dancing for different lengths of time. But anyone that would like can dance the entire time to compete for the $1000 Grand Prize. If you dress in 1920s – 30s costume you can also earn extra break passes. This is going to be something that we hope our teens as well as our 40 plus crowd participates in!” Don’t miss lots of fun, music and food for everyone. Brown stated she also needs volunteers to help with this event. For more information please contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.

Marathon on Broadway

2009 Dancer Registration Form
This from is to be used for registration purpose only.
Fee is $20 per person pre-registration. Day of marathon fee is $25 per person. Checks must be made out to the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc. Mail checks to Dorcheat Museum P.O. Box 1094 Minden, La. 71058. Pre-registration ends October 31st.
Name of Contestant: Please Print

___________________________________________________________________
Parent or guardian signature if dancer is under the age of 18 plus a contact phone number in case of emergency.

________________________________________________________________________
Signature Contact Numbers

Address: _______________________________________________________________
Street City State Zip
Marathon on Broadway Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement
!!!!DANCE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!
Waiver: In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the “Marathon On Broadway” Dance Contest, hereinafter called “The Marathon”, I for myself, my heirs, personal representatives or assigns, do hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc. board members, museum members, employees, Minden Civic Center employees, City of Minden and its employees, Cultural Crossroads, Inc. board members and employees, owners and employees of Coca-Cola Bottling of Minden, Inc., Party Express Catering owners and employees and any other persons or company associated with the “The Marathon” from liability from any and all claims including the negligence of “The Marathon” , resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses (including death), and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in “The Marathon”.
Assumption of Risks: Participation in “The Marathon” carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. The specific risks vary from one activity to another, but the risks range from 1) minor injuries such as scratches, bruises, and sprains, 2) major injuries such as eye injury or loss of sight, joint or back injuries, heart attacks, and concussions to 3) catastrophic injuries including paralysis and death.
I will obey the rules of “The Marathon” This is a family fun activity and we want everyone to enjoy the event. We ask that the following rules be followed or you will be asked to leave “The Marathon”: 1) No wild or dirty dancing behavior at any time. 2) No drinking of any alcoholic beverages is allowed on City of Minden Property. 3) No profanity, fighting, pushing or shoving is allowed during “The Marathon” 4) Proper attire is required for all participants.
I have read the previous paragraphs and I know, understand, and appreciate these and other risk that are inherent in “The Marathon”. I hereby assert that my participation is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risk.
Indemnification and Hold Harmless: I also agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD “The Marathon” volunteers, organizers, and all sponsors and any other participants HARMLESS from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, cost, expenses, damages and liabilities, including attorney’s fees brought as a result of my involvement in “The Marathon”
Severability: The undersigned adult 18 or over further expressly agrees that the foregoing waiver and assumption of risks agreement in intended to be as broad and inclusive as possible to protect ALL persons and or businesses, and City of Minden affiliated with “The Marathon”.
Acknowledgment of Understanding: I have read this waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement, fully understand its terms, and understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. I acknowledge that I am signing the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. You must be a parent or guardian or adult to sign below.

SIGNED______________________________________________________DATE_________________
A little marathon history to get you started.

Dance Marathons were an American phenomenon of the 1920s and 1930s, where human endurance contests in which couples danced almost non-stop for hundreds of hours (as long as a month or two), competing for prize money. Dance marathons originated as part of an early-1920s, giddy, jazz-age fad for human endurance competitions such as flagpole sitting and six-day bicycle races. Dance marathons persisted throughout the 1930s as partially staged performance events, mirroring the marathon of desperation Americans endured during the Great Depression. In these dance endurance contests, a mix of local hopefuls and seasoned professional marathoners danced, walked, shuffled, sprinted, and sometimes cracked under the pressure and exhaustion of round-the-clock motion. A 25-cent admission price entitled audience members to watch as long as they pleased. Dance marathons were held in Spokane, Seattle, Yakima, Wenatchee, Bellingham, and elsewhere. They occupied a slightly disrespectable niche in society, and many towns banned them, finding them disruptive, disturbing, and even repugnant.
Dance marathons were known as "bunion derbies," and "corn and callus carnivals." Promoters called them "walkathons." Social dancing had only recently acquired a veneer of respectability through the efforts of wholesome married dance teams like Vernon and Irene Castle. At a time when many churches still considered dancing sinful, "walkathon" was a less threatening term. But today we remember these endurance contests of the Great Depression as "dance marathons."
Dance marathons were both genuine endurance contests and staged performance events. Professional marathoners (often pretending to be amateurs) mixed with authentic hopeful amateurs under the direction of floor judges, an emcee, and the merciless movement of the clock to shape participatory theater. Both grim spectacle and vaudeville-based amusement, dance marathons offered an inexpensive chance for audiences “to be entertained and while away time” They also offered audiences the Depression-era novelty of feeling superior (and feeling pity) toward someone else.
Despite their controversial status, during the 1930s dance marathons were entrenched in American culture. Dance marathon historian Carol Martin reports that nearly every American city of 50,000 people or more hosted at least one endurance dance marathon.
Fifteen minutes each hour were allotted for rest. When the air horn signaling a rest period sounded, the contestants exited the dance floor for curtained-off rest areas filled with cots. These rest areas were segregated by sex. Contestants trained themselves to drop instantly into deep sleep as soon as their bodies touched the cots. After 11 minutes the air horn sounded again and the contestants filed back onto the dance floor to begin another hour. Female contestants who didn’t wake at the end of 11 minutes were revived with smelling salts (and slaps), and male contestants were often dunked in a tub of ice water.
Medical services were available to contestants, usually within full view of the audience. Physicians tended blisters, deloused dancers, disqualified and treated any collapsed dancer, tended sprains, and so on. "Cot Nights," in which the beds from the rest areas were pulled out into public view so the audience could watch the contestants even during their brief private moments, were also popular. The more a marathon special event allowed the audience to penetrate the contestants’ emotional experience, the larger crowd it attracted.
By the late 1930s, dance marathons had faded from the cultural landscape. Ordinances prohibiting the contests, combined with dwindling "virgin spots," discouraged promoters. America’s entry into World War II sent former marathoners and their audiences to work and to war. Glimmers of the fad remained, however, in roller derbies, which were televised and persisted into the 1960s, and in walkathon/fun runs benefiting charity. Even dance marathons themselves resurfaced, albeit in a form so tame as to be unrecognizable, as charity fundraisers. These modern marathons are usually 12-24 hours, a far cry from the Spokane show that closed October 12, 1935, after 1,638 hours (about two months).

Membership and Contribution Levels

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Membership Dues and Contribution Levels:
· Individual - $20.00
· Family - $40.00
· Sustaining - $75.00
· Patron – $125.00 -
· Benefactor – $250.00 -
· Corporate - $500.00
· Bronze - $1000 - $2,499
· Silver - $2,500 - $4,999
· Gold - $5,000 - $9,999
· Platinum - $10,000 – 24,999
· Diamond - $25,000 & up
· We also have a stock transfer plan for your contributions

In return for your support, you will receive not only a tax deduction, but also, invitations to all museum activities. Please give every consideration to helping with this endeavor. Be a part of Webster Parish history by becoming a member of the Webster Parish Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum.
Dues and pledge contributions may be mailed to:

Dorcheat Historical Association Museum
PO Box 1094
Minden, Louisiana 71058.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

"A Night For The Museum With Mr. Marcus D. Wren II"

George Lovic Pierce Wren (1863-1901) in the uniform of the Minden Blues
Dorcheat Museum’s director Schelley Brown announces another special history event. Monday April 14th, 2008, Mr. Marcus D. Wren II another one of Minden’s longtime citizen’s will be the guest speaker at The Dorcheat Historical Association’s “Night for the Museum”. Don’t miss another exciting and entertaining night of hearing our history. This informative night dealing with parish history during the 1840’s era should be another huge success. Last months performance by Mr. Frank Griffith was held to a packed house. Museum coordinators are again expecting a large turnout, so you may want to bring your lawn chairs just in case of a shortage of seating! Mr. Wren will be speaking at Christopher’s located at 615 Main Street in Minden, Louisiana with refreshments being served at 6:00 P.M. and an opening welcome from Mr. Thad Andress; President of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum, Inc. Mr. Wren will begin his presentation at 6:30.
Museum director Schelley Brown stated, “With the help of Phil Demaline, this speaking engagement will also be recorded so that we will have a digital record for the museum. Our last DVD featuring Mr. Griffith is still available for $10. Sound system will again be provided by Durwood Blake allowing everyone the opportunity to not miss a single word. A tour of the museum will follow Mr. Wren’s talk. This will give everyone the chance to see the progress that has been taking place in the museum and to be able to hear about the new additions that are in the works. The Museum is changing daily as our opening approaches. The “WOW” factor is definitely there when you first walk in and even more so after you see what we will have to offer our visitors. It is so far beyond what people expect. It is so impressive and is going to be a huge asset to Webster Parish.”
Don’t miss your chance at hearing some exciting stories of Minden’s past from as far back as the War Between the States, as told by a great-grandson. Mr. Wren’s great-grandfather was George Lovic Pierce Wren (1836-1901) of the Minden Blues. During the War G.L.P. Wren fought with the Army of Northern Virginia in most of the important battles of the war, including Bull Run and Gettysburg. Twice captured, he spent time in the Union Prison Camp at Fort Delaware. After the war became a school teacher and would later become a Louisiana State Legislator and Senator.
Mr. Marcus Wren II has been a longtime businessman in our area and a member and supporter of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum. He remembers many important events and people that changed our community and are forever markers in time for Minden. Admission is free of charge and everyone is welcome. For more information on “A Night for the Museum with Mr. Marcus Wren II” please contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192. Reservations not required first come first serve seating.
Posted by Schelley Brown at 7:43 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Large Turn Out For "A Night for the Museum"!

March 10th, 2008 at Christopher’s located on Main Street in Minden was the place to be! At least 150-175 turned out in a light rain to hear Mr. Frank Griffith’s narration of events that took place in “Old Minden”. Mr. Griffith started the evening with one word “WOW”, in regards to the large crowd. “Much anticipation preceded this night for the museum”, stated Schelley Brown; museum director.
Mr. Griffith spoke of his grandfather a civil war veteran! That’s right Frank was born later in his father’s life. Frank’s father was born a year or so after the Civil War ended. His remarkable memory of detail and delightful delivery of his descriptive narratives left the packed room wanting more. Griffith spoke for about 30 minutes but many would have sat for hours to listen to these pieces of Webster Parish history. Plans to bring Griffith back for part II are already in the works for a later date. Griffith’s stories went back to the Civil War era of his grandfather and the decades of his father all the way to the 1950’s.
Mr. Griffith shared stories of scandalous political races of days gone by, the story of his father being elected sheriff over 100 years ago and many more stories that were related to him by B.F. Griffith Sr. so many years ago. Museum board members were pleased, that so many attended this first of many such events that they have planned.
Following Mr. Griffith’s program, Ms. Brown invited everyone to please take a tour to see the new Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum, Inc.’s progress. “Wow” seemed to be the word heard most often during the night, as large groups were shown the progress that has taken place in the museum since November. The new exhibit cases that are currently being painted are very impressive and will be filled with items related to the Civil War, Reconstruction, Historic Homes, Hunters & Coca-Cola, 1933 Disasters, Sports, Education, Churches, Industry and Business leaders just to name a few. This museum will follow a time line from the Indian era to present day with help from Webster Parish historian John Agan.
Many locals were able to meet the visionary artist behind the museum; Mr. Larry Milford. Larry was on hand after the speaking program to show people the work that has been done and tell of his plans for the future. Dorcheat Historical Association President Mr. Thad Andress emphasized the fact that this project cost and will cost a lot of money and that without everyone contributing in one way or another that this project would not be possible. Pledge cards were handed out and everyone was encouraged to take part and have a part in “their” museum. “This is everyone’s museum and it will take everyone to make it happen!” was the message put forth by museum board members. If you missed hearing Mr. Griffith a benefit DVD of the night is available for $10. For more information on the museum please visit the new blog site at http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ or contact Schelley Brown at 423-0192 or iluvoldcars@yahoo.com
Posted by Schelley Brown at 5:21 AM 0 comments
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