Friday, January 14, 2011

Let's Make History In 2011

Let’s Make History In 2011
The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located at 116 Pearl Street is looking forward to the New Year and especially the lineup for the popular “Nights for the Museum” which will kick off in February. These history filled Monday nights have become the thing to do in Minden since they began in March of 2008. Christopher’s has hosted 25 speakers so far with an average attendance of 125 history lovers. “The museum board members are thrilled with our success and the attendance to the events. We never dreamed when we started that people would look forward to these evenings as much as they do. So much history was being lost in Minden every year as our older generation passed away. Now we have preserved so many wonderful stories and this year will be no different” stated Schelley Brown.
Brown commented, “Cora Lou Robinson is the speaker chairwoman this year and she has a wonderful lineup planned. These events are free of charge with donations accepted this year. As in the past potluck appetizers and desserts are welcome.”
The museum board is making plans for the parish schools. This year we want to encourage teachers to bring classes to the museum to learn a little more about the area where they live. Last year we had over 300 children come through for our Summer Pioneer program. This year we will expand that program for the summer offering free summer admission again. Teachers and groups are urged to call Schelley Brown at 377-3002 to make tour arrangements.
The new state of the art Theater system is also a new feature that was installed this year. This gives the museum the opportunity to host meetings and parties for outside organizations and it is available to book for parties and reunions. This system is similar to what the Minden Civic Center offers on a little smaller scale and is a great asset for our city. This room is perfect to show DVDs, PowerPoint presentations or slide shows. The Media/Learning Center also houses the work in progress LAAP exhibit and the military exhibit that should be completed this year. This exhibit highlights WWI to current conflicts and also honors the men and women killed in action from Webster Parish. Working on this exhibit, the museum has learned of a Webster Parish man that was killed on the Battleship Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Donations have been steady to put this exhibit together and Larry Milford, Richard Campbell and Terry Snook are working to make this a proper tribute to our soldiers.
New exhibits are in the works and new ideas are on the board for local artist Larry Milford to use his magic in creating a first class museum. “Every first time visitor we have is amazed at the quality of the museu. It’s always a “WOW” when they walk in the door! We have had visitors from other countries this year that have been so impressed at what we are doing here in Minden, La. It makes you so proud of your community.” said Ms. Brown.
If you would like to tour the museum, the hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 10a.m.-4.p.m. (closed from 1-2 for lunch) Saturday 10a.m.-noon. Large tours are conducted Tuesday-Friday and by appointment on Saturdays. For more information visit the museum at 116 Pearl Street or call Schelley Brown at 377-3002. Visit the website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com or join the museum on Facebook to keep up with the latest news.