Lakeside High School National Honor Society Visits Museum

About 35  members of the National Honor Society from Lakeside High School in Sibley, Louisiana visited the Dorcheat Museum on Thursday, December 8th, 2011.  The group had never been to the museum so their visit was a real treat for the students as well as the museum director.  Many didn't know that Sibley once had a different name of Lanesville.

Christmas Time At The Museum

A Glimpse of Christmas Past is the theme for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum from now until the end of the 2011 year.  Museum director Schelley Francis is encouraging everyone to come by the museum at 116 Pearl Street and take a peek at what Christmas was like over 100 years ago in Minden. 

The museum is showcasing a collection of antique Christmas cards that date from 1910-1912 that were mailed to or from a Minden family.  The O’Bier Cabin is decked out in pioneer style for the holidays with a tree and red & white quilts.  Don’t miss taking a look at what the winter of 1892 was like in Minden with the special Minden Postcard exhibit. 

Don’t forget the museum has a gift shop with some great local history gifts, cookbooks, prints and DVDs.  Plus shipping and gift wrapping is available for your items. 

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will be hosting the Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” on Tuesday, December 13^th, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at 116 Pearl Street in Minden.  The theme of the evening is also “A Glimpse of Christmas Past”.  So don’t miss your chance to see the museum during Christmas.   The museum is free admission and free guided tours. 

Museum To Host Chamber After Hours In December

Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc.

 Welcomes you to a “Glimpse of Christmas Past”

 “Chamber After Hours”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From The

Dorcheat Historical Museum

116 Pearl Street

Minden, Louisiana

Tuesday, December 13^th, 2011

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

 See Our History On Display & Get In The Holiday Spirit

 Great Door Prizes

Please sign up for our email blast at

www.museuminminden.blogspot.com

Louisiana Travel Writers Come To Town

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum was the gathering place for a Sunday breakfast hosted by Travel Host Magazine of Shreveport on November 20^th, 2011.   A group of nine Louisiana Travel writers were guest at the museum on Sunday morning for a wonderful breakfast prepared by Mrs. Charlotte Martin.  Main Street Coordinator; Pattie Odom and Tourism Director; Lynn Dorsey were in charge of the days agenda which started at the museum for breakfast and a tour.  After a guided tour of the museum by museum director Schelley Brown Francis the group was then taken on a driving tour of Minden’s Historic Residential District by Francis.  Around noon the group toured Minden’s Main Streets for a little shopping and a trip to Minden’s Art on Main Studio.

Travel writers often come in groups to our area to see what kinds of interesting things are going on in different parts of the state.  This is a tourism based group so this is a great way for Minden to show what we have to offer in our area.  Can’t wait to see what great stories come out of their visit!

Help Us Save Our History

Dorcheat Historical Association

 And Museum, Inc.

Happiness is accomplishing something you set out to do.

I know I join a number of others in being so happy that we have created a museum.  Not only that, it is a very good one and our team is making it continue to move forward in many different ways.  I say “our team” because we have had a remarkable number of folks join us in this endeavor.  There are our private donors, large and small, our public bodies, and our businesses.  There are our volunteer workers who have spent many hours painting, cleaning, keeping our financial records and archives, working on fund raisers, and soliciting donations.  Then there are the donors of the objects for our displays, so very important to a museum.  These have increased immensely now that our ability to display and preserve them has been shown.  Certainly our “Night for the Museum” has been a team effort-- a very successful one at that!

Our paid workers, Schelley Francis and Larry Milford, are most important cogs in the team effort and continue to grow in their abilities to create and operate a museum.

We really have an amazing success!  People are coming from all over to visit and enjoy the museum.  Other museums have visited us to study our methods of promoting the museum, as well as our display technology.

We are calling on our supporters to provide the financial assistance that will enable us to continue to move forward in preserving our heritage.

Please fill out the enclosed card and send us your gift.

Come see us!

Thad Andress, President

P.O. Box 1094  116 Pearl Street  Minden, Louisiana  71058

Click on each card to enlarge and print

Holiday Hours 2011

North Louisiana United Way Meets At Museum October 12th, 2011

McInnis Insurance hosted a meeting at the Dorcheat Museum Media/Learning Center room for the North Louisiana area United Way organization.

The Campbell Family “A Lasting Legacy” Packs Christopher's

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum held its 5th and final “Night for the Museum” for the 2011 series of speakers on Monday night October 10th, 2011, to a record crowd.  Cora Lou Brown Robinson, lifelong friend of the Campbell family, gave a heart-felt introduction as only a true friend can.  Many of the Campbell family members traveled to Minden to attend the museum event. 

Rebecca Campbell Marvin spoke first and was followed by John C. Campbell.  Both spoke of their parents and uncles and the role these men played in their lives as well as the role they played in the history of Minden and the state of Louisiana. Of the seven Campbell brothers, Tom, John T., Cecil and Harry all moved to Minden from Bienville Parish. Tom Campbell served as Webster Parish Clerk of Court for 20 years. John T. Campbell and Cecil Campbell practiced law in Minden from the late 20s until they died in the 1990s. Harry Campbell served as Superintendent of the Webster Parish School Board. The brothers were significantly involved in the legal, political and educational community for over fifty years in the state of Louisiana. 

At the end of the evening stories were told by audience members to add to the night’s memories.  Foster Campbell, a cousin and member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and former 26 year member of the Louisiana Senate spoke of what he had learned about being a public servant from his relatives.

If you missed your chance to hear about one of Minden’s most interesting and influential families a DVD of the evening is available for $10 at the museum. For more information contact Schelley Brown Francis at 318-377-3002 or visit www.museuminminden.blogspot.com to sign up for the museum email blast. You can also find the museum on Facebook. To learn more about Webster Parish’s rich history visit the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, located at 116 Pearl Street in Minden. Museum hours: closed on Monday, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed from 1-2 for lunch), Saturday 10 a.m. - noon. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

DAR Donates to Preserve Webster Parish History

The Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution made a memorial donation to the Dorcheat Historical Association in October. The group is scheduled to have two grave marker dedication ceremonies on October 22, 2011 for Mrs. Jo Kennon Williams and Mrs. Judy Kathryn Greer.  Both of these women were longtime active DAR members and officers.  The group will conduct a meeting and reception at the museum following this dedication.  The donation was presented to the museum by DAR members Pat Peevy and Janice Mourad.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence. DAR has chapters in all fifty of the U.S. states as well as in the District of Columbia. There are also DAR chapters all over the world.  The DAR motto is "God, Home, and Country." Some state chapters of DAR date from as early as October 11, 1890, and the National Society of DAR was incorporated by Congressional charter in 1896.

Martha Willis Johnson, Jane Sistrunk, Nancy Bickham, LSDAR Librarian and Betsy Moreland .

“Museum Gala Another Historic Event”

         

 September 12, 2011 Museum Gala 

            Monday, September 12, 2011 , the Dorcheat Historical Museum hosted its third fundraising event since the 2008 opening of the parish museum.  “This fundraiser was a huge success, raising well over $25,000.” Becky Marvin & Janice Mourad, board members and gala event organizers reported.  With over 150 guests in attendance, the museum was filled with anticipation of the night’s activities which included a silent auction, music by Pat Gladney and a first time viewing of artist; Larry Milford’s work on the new military exhibits located in the Media/Learning Center & Theater room.

            “I think people were thrilled with the variety of silent auction items and the great variety of foods.  We are so fortunate to have the support of so many people from far and wide.  This year we had people sending auction items from a three state region.  We are pleased with our progress and we know we couldn’t do any of it without so many generous friends and supporters of the museum.” stated Schelley Brown Francis.

           B & B stays, paintings, large garden pottery arrangement, iron artwork, photography gift certificates and catering services were just a few of the over 100 items to pick from.  The silent auction was a big hit with the crowd bringing in over $21,000 for the evening on the auction alone!  “The members of the museum board would like to thank all of the local merchants for their generosity in helping us put all of this together.” Francis said. 

The item that had everyone’s attention was an original painting by folk artist, Cora Lou Robinson.  Last year Robinson’s painting of a birthday party at the Minden Community house was the number one item for the event.  The 2011 painting depicted the 1941 Military Maneuvers that came thru Minden. 

Robinson’s vivid memory of this event was captured on canvas for all to admire.  Mrs. Robinson stated, “It was wonderful to be a child in the 1940s, especially in Minden.  Even though a world war was going on, we all felt safe here.  Nothing today can compare to the life we had.  We created our own entertainment, and though we had no TVs, Wiis, or I-pods, no one could ever have had a better time than we did.  I was six years old when the troops of the Louisiana War Games, or maneuvers, came through Minden.  A convoy more than 50 miles long went through Minden on Highway 80, passing through downtown.  I was watching the soldiers throw addresses to girls along the parade route and I couldn't imagine why they didn't throw me one.  I will never forget that day and how proud everyone was of our soldiers and how patriotic all Americans were.  I am so PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” Once again Mrs. Robinson’s painting was the top fundraising item for the evening.  The high bidder, Ann Harlan, is now the proud owner of this Cora Lou original.  Harlan is a longtime collector of Robinson’s art and was thrilled to be the high bidder for the evening. 

Many first time guests were amazed at the quality and beauty of the now three year old museum.  “You really have something to be proud of!” a guest said.  The museum is really a showplace for our area and has received quite a bit of notice from the Shreveport area on local TV stations, magazines and newspapers.  This past summer over 400 people passed through the doors of the museum for private tours during the Summer Pioneer Program.  With the Media/Theater room opened, it gives the museum an extra advantage of being able to offer this facility to others.  “We can now rent this part of the museum out for meetings, reunions and parties, plus we have the added benefit of the theater system for Power Point or video presentations.” commented Francis.  For more information on the Dorcheat Museum call 318-377-3002 or visit at

116 Pearl Street

.  To sign up for updates visit the website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com you can also find us on Facebook. 

           

The Campbell Family “A Lasting Legacy” October 10th, 2011

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 5th and final “Night for the Museum” for the 2011 series of speakers on the second Monday night in October, 2011. Rebecca Campbell Marvin and John C. Campbell will speak to the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on October 10, 2011, on the role the Campbell family played in Minden . Of the seven Campbell brothers, Tom, John T., Cecil and Harry all moved to Minden from Bienville Parish. Tom Campbell served as Webster Parish Clerk of Court for 20 years. John T. Campbell and Cecil Campbell practiced law in Minden from the late 20s until they died in the 1990s. Harry Campbell served as Superintendent of the Webster Parish School Board. The brothers were significantly involved in the legal, political and educational community for over fifty years.

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden ’s most interesting and influential families. The event will be held at Christopher’s, 615 Main St. , Minden , La. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. , with first -come, first- serve seating. This program will draw a large crowd, so lawn chairs are recommended to insure a seat. Program begins at 6:00 p.m. , admission is free with potluck desserts and snacks welcome. For more information contact Schelley Brown Francis at 318-377-3002 or visit www.museuminminden.blogspot.com to sign up for the museum email blast. You can also find the museum on Facebook. To learn more about Webster Parish’s rich history visit the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located at 116 Pearl Street in Minden . Museum hours; closed on Monday, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed from 1-2 for lunch), Saturday 10 a.m. - noon . The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

"Night At The Museum" September 12th, 2011

“Museum Gala 2011”

Double Click on cards to enlarge them and right click to print them.

            Monday, September 12, 2011 , the Dorcheat Historical Museum will be hosting its third fundraising event since the 2008 opening of the parish museum.  “Last year the fundraiser was a huge success, and raised over $20,000.” Louise Snook, board member and gala event organizer reported.  In 2010 over 125 guests were in attendance, the museum was filled with anticipation of the night’s activities which included a silent auction and a first time viewing of the new state of the art Media/Learning Center & Theater.  This year promises to be no exception.  A wonderful array of silent auction items plus lots of great food and a showing of what has been accomplished for the year is already in the works. 

Cora Lou Robinson is in the process of painting 3 new original paintings for this event.  Last year one of her paintings brought in over $5000 for the museum.  We are really looking forward to seeing her new pieces.  Other artists have also contacted us about donating original works; we are thrilled with the response.  One of the artists is well known Minden artist Mrs. Chris Broussard.  Broussard is also working on a new original painting.  Updates will be announced as the event draws nearer.   

            The museum is really a showplace for our area and has received quite a bit of notice from the Shreveport area on local TV stations, magazines and newspapers.  With the new Media/Theater room opening, it gives the museum an extra advantage of being able to offer this facility to others.  “We can now rent this part of the museum out for meetings, reunions and parties, plus we have the added benefit of the theater system for Power Point or video presentations.” commented Snook.  For more information on the Dorcheat Museum call 318-377-3002 or visit at 116 Pearl Street.  To sign up for updates visit the website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com you can also find us on Facebook. 

Double click on cards to enlarge them and then you can right click on cards to print them. Please mail your response cards in with a check for $25 per person by September 1st, 2011. Dorcheat Museum P.O. Box 1094 Minden, La. 71058