Mike Harper Speaks At The Museum

Bill Bryant, Mike Harper and Cleo Cook look at the Harper Family History Book

Harper Family One Of Minden Earliest Families

Monday, October 8th, the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum held its 38^th museum event since the museum opened its doors in 2008.  This event concluded the 2012 “Night for the Museum” speakers.  A large number of museum patrons and friends gathered to hear Mr. Mike Harper.  Harper told about his ancestor’s history in great detail and also skimmed the surface about his 1971-1972 experiences in Vietnam while serving with the United States Army-Infantry. 

Some of the earliest Minden area doctors and the first clerk of court in Minden were Harper family members.  The Harper family ancestors are some of the very first people that were buried at the Old Minden Cemetery under the large Magnolia tree in the oldest section.  Magnolia blossoms are featured on many of the Harper headstones in the old section of the Minden Cemetery, due to the fact that Magnolia, Arkansas was named by one of the Harper women.  

Not wanting to go into the horrors of war, the next stories were told on a lighter note by Harper.  The types of helicopters and war planes used were discussed.  That first helicopter ride into the jungle and other stories about the amount of equipment and the types of guns that men carried into war were talked about.  A display of Vietnam era books, pictures, guns and ammo were on hand to look at the end of the evening.

 The museum was honored to accept A “History of Our Harper Family and Related Lines” book that was donated to the museum by Mrs. Pat Stephens along with a doctor bag that had belonged to Dr. A. G. Harper.    

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 for the Museum with Mike Harper

On the 2^nd Monday of October, the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 38^th museum event since the museum opened its doors in 2008.  On Monday, October 8^th, 2012, Mr. Mike Harper will be the headliner for the last of the 2012 series of speakers known as “Night At The Museum”. 

Many people may not realize that the Harper Family roots run deep in Minden, unless you have seen Mike as his ancestor Dr. Albert Gallatin Harper at the Minden Cemetery “Ghost Walk”.  The Harper family ancestors are some of the very first people that were buried at the Old Minden Cemetery under the large Magnolia tree in the oldest section.  This family actually named Magnolia, Arkansas and has had ties in Minden since the 1850s.  

Mike Harper was born in Shreveport and is a 1969 graduate of Jesuit High School.  From 1971-1972 Mike served with the United States Army-Infantry in Vietnam.  After Vietnam he continued his education and became a 1976 LSUS graduate with a B.S. in management.  In 1976 Mike followed in his father Jud Harper’s footsteps and began a career in the automotive sales industry by working at Rountree Olds-Cadillac in Shreveport.  He went on to graduate from Dealership Management Development School General Motors Institute, Flint, Michigan in 1979.  Mike along with wife; Whittney and children, Marshall and Catherine have called Minden home since the early 80s.   

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s pioneering families. The museum events will be held in the Media/Learning room at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street, Minden, La.  Museum doors will open at 5:00 p.m., with first-come, first-serve seating.  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.