Night At The Museum Kicked Off The Year With It’s 40th
Speaker
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| Large Crowd On Hand For John Collins The Museum 40th Speaker |
The 40th speaker for “Night at the Museum” at
the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum had a packed house, in spite of the extreme weather
forecast on Monday February 10th, 2014. Museum director
Schelley Francis commented, “I was worried about the night’s crowd a little
because of the weather forecast. I felt
sure folks would come out to hear John Collins under normal circumstances, I
just wasn’t sure if the weather would cooperate for us. We also were hit last week with another issue
that I was dealing with. The outside
portions of three heating and air units were stolen and I could not heat the
back section of the museum. This turned
out to not really be an issue once people started coming in, as most were
dressed warmly anyway.”
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| Thad Andress excepts a $5,000 donation from businessman Mr. Jay Kumar |
The evening started with a special presentation from a local
businessman and hotel owner. Mr. Jay
Kumar presented a $5,000 check to Museum Board President Mr. Thad Andress to be
used for a part of the renovation expense fund on the museum expansion project. “Jay Kumar’s check was a welcomed gift! We are excited with all of our donations big
and small. It takes a little bit of
everything to keep the museum going. We
have had some large gifts given in the past and we are always thrilled when
this happens. We know not everyone can
help this way so that is where the tips jar, the cookbook sales, DVD
sales, and donation box come in. Every
little bit helps and every little bit is appreciated. We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t
help or be a part in some way.” stated Schelley Francis.
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| John Collins points out why he is wearing a bow tie for the evening. Pointing to a picture of his grandfather A.J. Price |
Mr. John Collins spent the rest of the evening telling his
stories from his early childhood days in Minden. Most everyone in Minden associates the Collins family with what is now A.J. Price,
Incorporated. The company operates the
local downtown “OLD WESTERN AUTO STORE” among two
other locations in Minden and Benton. The downtown
location was opened by John’s grandfather, A.J. Price in 1936. After A.J.’s retirement, his daughter; Mrs.
Evelyn Price Collins was the owner/operator until her son; John became manager
in 1970. John has worked at the Western
Auto store for most of his life. He
could be seen at the downtown store working after school, on weekends,
holidays, and Saturdays since his teen years.
John told several humorous stories of events that have taken place
during his days spent at the store. This
talk will be available on DVD for $10 at the museum soon.
The next night for the museum will take place March 10th,
2014 with a night of our German
Heritage history. Don't miss your chance to hear about some of Minden's early 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 5:30 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.
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| Great Crowd In Spite Of Weather Forecast! |