ELEVEN
YEARS OF SHARING HISTORY WITH ANTICIPATION OF GROWTH
“Moving Forward” is the
theme for 2019. The annual fundraiser gala
is fast approaching its September 9th, 2019 date. This evening consists of a silent auction
with heavy hors devours. Cost is $25
prepay (by September 6th, 2019) and $30 at the door the day of event. Helping the museum with a silent auction item
is a great way to highlight your business.
These items can consist of gift baskets, gift certificates, art work,
handmade items, services such as lawn work, haircuts, facials, tire rotations,
cakes, cookies, etc. Through the years
the museum has had a wide array of items to pick from. If you have questions about what you can
donate or need an item to be picked up or dropped off you have until the Sept 3rd,
2019 deadline. You can call 318-377-3002
for information.
This year the Dorcheat
Historical Museum is celebrating its Eleventh Anniversary of sharing Webster
Parish history at 116 Pearl Street. In
2007 work began to push forward with a museum that could stand the test of
time. “I would say that after eleven
years and countless visitors and guest at the museum we have certainly stood
the test of time!” stated museum director Schelley Francis. Francis went on to say, “Our goal for the
next few years is to complete our expansion in the adjoining building. This building will double our size and give
us much needed storage, office, and even more exhibit space. Some of the exhibits we hope to complete and
expand on in the new area will be an exhibit for each community, area and town
in Webster parish, Minden St. Jude Auction, Civil Rights Era in Webster parish,
Black History in Webster Parish, Women’s clubs, Men’s organizations and clubs, Christmas
time, Cemeteries, Ada Jack Carver Snell, Ben Earl Looney, Scouting, Summer
Memories, Railroads, Doctors and Hospital, Webster Parish Fair Grounds,
Railroads, and so much more. We have so
many stories to tell we never will have enough space.”
Today the museum is
enjoyed by visitors far and wide. From
classroom fieldtrips, travel bus tours, red hat ladies, churches, scouting, and
retirement center groups we have had thousands of visitors in the last 11
years. What people see today including
the building that we were able to purchase next door is roughly $500,000 spent.
That includes the purchase of the buildings, the renovation, the inside
construction and exhibit work as well as the new roofs and heat and air
units. Schelley commented, “We pay as we
go! We will never jeopardize what has been built by over spending on future
project. We have had many driving forces
over the last eleven years behind the museum succeeding. All of these board members that have served
from 2007 – 2019 have been determined to leave a legacy of not only their
family history but everyone else’s too.
We have had a great working board all along the way since 2007.”
The 2019 board members
include the following people; Louise Snook as President, Marcel Vandenoord as
Vice-President, Janet LaBruyere as Treasurer, Ann Harlan as recording
secretary, John Agan Webster Parish Historian, Eddie Hammontree Museum
archivist, Charlotte Martin, Richard Campbell, Cora Lou Robinson, Ki Williams,
Becky Marvin, Janice Mourad, Kay Elzen, Ben Baldwin, Dianne McGuire, Jo
McCullough, Charlotte Jones, Mary Ann Hamilton, Lucy Adkins, and Rachel
Miller.
Museum hours are Tuesday –
Friday 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., closed from 1-2 for lunch then open from 2:00
P.M. – 4 P.M., also opened on Saturday for group tours that are arranged by
appointment at least one week prior. Contact
Schelley Francis at 318-423-0192 for more info.