Cora Lou Robinson Painting To Be Highlight Of Museum Gala

Cora Lou Robinson and Johnnye Kennon showing off the newest original art work to be donated to the Dorcheat Museum fundraiser

“Cora Lou Robinson’s painting has always been the most coveted item at the annual museum fundraiser.  This will be no exception with the completion of her latest masterpiece “St. Matthew C.M.E. Church”.  Last years painting brought $8,000 to the high bidder and this year we expect the bidding to be very competitive among those that love the well known and beloved folk artist works of art!  She always does so much research on all her work and puts so much of herself into each piece.  The work will be enhanced once again by the donated frame work from Kerry and Anne Easley of Easley Fine Art and Custom Framing.  They always do a great job in picking out just the right wood and background material to use on each of her works!” stated museum director Schelley Francis.

St. Matthew C.M.E. Church:

            I have always loved discovering and painting old country churches.  I will never forget going to Shreveport on Highway 80, before Interstate 20 was built, and looking at St. Matthew C.M.E. Church.  It has always been one of my favorite churches for as long as I can remember.  It was built in the 1800s on property donated by the L.C. Rawlston Family.  L.C. Rawlston was the grandfather of Johnnye Kennon’s husband John.

            The little boy holding the flag is Bill Cook, who is being taken to a dinner on the ground by his housekeeper.  He told me that she took him to many functions at the church, as he lived very close to it.  

            There are always such wonderful memories from old churches like this one, and I love telling their stories.

Cora Lou Robinson

Event will be held Monday night; September 9^th, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located at 116 Pearl Street in Minden.  Cost to attend the 5^th annual event is $25 per person.  If you would like to attend or donate a service or item for the 2013 Gala event contact the Dorcheat Museum at 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 the museum information on Facebook.

September Gala 2013

You Are Invited To Help Make History Happen 2013

    Monday, September 9, 2013, the Dorcheat Historical Museum will be hosting its fifth fundraising event since the 2008 opening of the parish museum. Last year the fundraiser was a huge success, and raised over $35,000 and was attended by over 150 guests.

    Becky Marvin, Janice Mourad, Cora Lou Robinson, Louise Snook, and Kay Elzen, board members and gala event organizers report that the 2013 fundraiser promises to be no exception, with the "Remember Our Past" theme set for this year. Guest will be thrilled with the variety of silent auction items and the great variety of wonderful Louisiana cuisine. "We are so fortunate to have the support of so many people from far and wide.” 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 museum director; Schelley Francis.

    Folk artist, Cora Lou Robinson, is in the process of painting another new original painting for this event. Robinson's paintings have been a highlight at the past auctions bringing in over $7000 last year for the museum. Everyone is looking forward to seeing her new 2013 piece. Other artists have also contacted museum board members about donating original works; and museum members are thrilled with the response to help.

    The museum has had hundreds of visitors this past year from all over the country. It is a showplace for our area and has received quite a bit of notice from the Shreveport area on local TV stations, magazines and newspapers. People are now seeing museum commercials on TV, large billboards and ads in area publications.

   Our expansion project is in full swing.  We raised the money to purchase the building this year by the first of July!  Now our plans for our renovation and upgrading the building will take place.  Many Minden residents will remember when the two buildings were connected as Major Office Supply with a door between the two sections. With the purchase of the building we will once again have a doorway between the two museum areas.

   When the Media/Theater room opened two years ago, it gave the museum an extra advantage of being able to offer the 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 Schelley Francis.

    If you would like to attend or donate a service or item for the 2013 Gala event contact the Dorcheat Museum at 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.