Twas The Night At The Museum With Cora Lou Robinson

Twas The Night At The Museum With Cora Lou Robinson
A Glimpse of Christmas Past

Christmas Memories from Friends and Families of Webster Parish
is the title of our new project! And the theme for our October museum Event!


Come hear one of Minden's beloved teachers and artist read excerpts from our new book that has been months in the making. I promise that you will have a wonderful evening of Christmas memories. A very special silent auction item will be up for auction that evening.... CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER will be our theme for the night!
We hope to have the books back by October and just in time for Christmas these will make a great gift for your family. It is a way to keep your family traditions alive for future generations. Call me if you have any questions or just need help.
This project has been on my mind for years, especially since I began my job as director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum in 2007. My favorite Christmas tradition that I have been doing for several years now is to read the book "Christmas Gift" by author Ferrol Sams. This book takes me back in time and always makes me cry for the past. It has become my special gift, for those like minded people that love the way things once were. The act of recording our memories is so important for our future generations. All of us have a special Christmas memory, tucked away in the back of our mind. This book was created in hopes of bringing those memories out of just our thoughts, to be put down in print and shared. Christmases are special to every one of us, but as a child I felt like they were more special here in Minden, Louisiana and North Louisiana.
My friend and folk artist, Cora Lou Brown Robinson grew up in Minden. Her artwork graces the cover of this new book. A few years ago, her idea to write down her memories for her children and grandchildren gave me the idea to do a collection of stories from people here in Webster Parish. This project began for me in February 2014, the memories began the day I was old enough to remember what Christmas was all about. I think you will see from all of these stories recorded in this book, that feeling is shared by many. We grew up in a time of feeling safe, of being sheltered from the harshness of the world outside our small town; we knew our neighbors and we cared about them.
I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed collecting the stories.

The cost of the book will be $25 dollars each and $5 shipping and handling if we need to mail you one. This book is over 250 pages long! Full of wonderful stories from people of our parish! Contact me at 318-377-3002 for when books will be available.

Museum Gala 2014 "Photographs and Memories"

You Are Invited To Help Make History Happen

    Monday, September 8, 2014, the Dorcheat Historical Museum will be hosting its sixth fundraising event since the 2008 opening of the parish museum. Last year the fundraiser was a huge success, and raised over $30,000 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 2014 fundraiser promises to be no exception, with the "Photographs and Memories" 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 $8000 last year for the museum. Everyone is looking forward to seeing her new 2014 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 in 2013!  We have a new roof and front on our new building!  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 hope to have a doorway between the two museum areas at some point in time.

   When the Media/Theater room opened several 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 2014 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.   

Colonel Charles Sherburne “Sherb” Sentell III to be the 43rd Museum Speaker

May 19^th, 2014 “Night At The Museum”

A Night Of Family History

The 43rd “Night at the Museum” will take place Monday May 19^th, 2014.  This event will feature Colonel Charles Sherburne “Sherb” Sentell III.  Sentell’s family has roots that date back over 100 years in Webster Parish.

  

Sentell was born in July 1966 in Minden, LA.  He received his commission in Infantry through ROTC and graduated as the Distinguished Military Graduate from Davidson College in North Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1989.  Sentell graduated on the Commandant’s List from the Infantry Officer Basic Course and then completed Ranger School and the Pathfinder course at Fort Benning, GA.  He served three years on active duty with the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC and was an Infantry Platoon Leader during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he earned his first Bronze Star Medal. 

Leaving active duty in 1992, he attended law school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.  While in law school, he wrote an article that was published in the Louisiana Law Review and won the Flory Moot Trial oral argument competition.  Sentell received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1995 graduating 5^th in his class.  In 1997 while serving as a law clerk for a Federal Judge, Sentell reentered the active Army Reserve by joining the 4013^th Garrison Support Unit (GSU) in Bossier City, LA.  He then attended the Transportation Officer Advanced Course at Fort Eustis, VA where he was the Distinguished Graduate of his class.  Sentell was a Company Commander while serving with the 4013^th GSU.  In 1999, the Chief of Staff of the Army presented Sentell with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award at the Pentagon after he successfully took command of an active duty company at Ft. Polk, LA. 

Sentell then went to the 8^th Battalion (TC), 95^th DIV in Shreveport, LA where he served first as the Battalion S3 before assuming command as the Battalion Commander.  After command, Sentell was selected to lead and mobilize another unit as commander of the 519^th TC DET from Camp Pendleton, CA.  Sentell earned his second Bronze Star during a one-year deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005 with the 519^th TC DET as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Upon his return, he served as Executive Officer for the 2^d Battalion, 379^th REGT, 95^th DIV in Arkadelphia, AR.  He was then selected as the Brigade S3 Operations Officer for the 7^th BDE, 95^th DIV in Little Rock, AR.  From April 2009 until July 2012, he was the Battalion Commander of the 2203^rd Mobilization Support Battalion in Bossier City, LA.  In 2013, Sentell received a Master’s Degree from the United States Army War College, where he was a resident student and member of the Army War College Eisenhower Program.  He is currently assigned to United States Central Command at MacDill AFB, FL as a joint logistics planning officer.    

COL Sentell’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), CIB, Ranger Tab, EIB, Senior Parachutist Badge and numerous mobilization awards.  He has completed the Command and General Staff College, the 90A logistician Support Operations Course, and is a graduate of the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (AJPME) course. 

COL Sentell is employed as a Prosecutor for the State of Louisiana and maintains a private law practice with his father at the Sentell Law Firm, LLC.  He stays actively involved in his community, is a past President of the Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Minden Medical Center, the Minden Lion’s Club, and Citizens National Bank.  Sentell has been inducted into the LSU Law School Hall of Fame. 

 Don't miss your chance to hear about some of our area history. 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 CLOSED. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

"Night At The Museum" with Butch Williams April 14, 2014

“Night At The Museum” Like Father, Like Son

Family and Education In Webster Parish

 with Mr. Butch Williams

The 42nd “Night at the Museum” will take place Monday April 14th, 2014.  This event will feature long time Minden resident Mr. Butch Williams.  Butch Williams was born in 1947, to Wayne and Irene Williams in Haynesville, Louisiana.  Wayne Williams had just returned from WWII and was serving as principal at Shongaloo High School, when Butch was born.  

In 1950 the family moved to Minden, where Wayne Williams continued his career moving throughout the Webster Parish School system, starting at East Side Elementary and ending up as Superintendent of Webster Parish Schools.   “Like father, like son,” a phrase that could easily be used when describing the two Williams men in the Webster Parish education system.  Butch Williams would start as Assistant Principle at Minden High School and also ended up as the superintendent of Webster Parish Schools.

Wayne Williams spent 44 years in Webster Parish school system: He taught Social Studies and Coached football, basketball, baseball at Shongaloo High, became Principal of Shongaloo, Eastside Elementary, Minden High, Supervisor, ESEA, Title I, High School, and then became the parish school Superintendent.  Butch Williams followed in his father’s footsteps, teaching Biology-Chemistry while coaching football, basketball, baseball at Minden High, at Sibley High he taught Biology-Chemistry, Adv. Phys.Sci. and coached track.  He was Principal for 25 years at Sibley / Lakeside before moving on to Superintendent of Webster Parish School system.

Williams will talk about his long time family involvement in the school system and the changes that have taken place in Washington and Baton Rouge that have completely altered educations as we recognize it.  He will reflect of the 82 combined years between he and his father and their experiences in the area.  He will also reflect on his family, wife Ki and the couple’s three sons.  Ki and Butch Williams have six grandchildren now to keep them very busy now in their retirement years.           

 Don't miss your chance to hear about some of our area history. 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 CLOSED. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

Standing Room Only Crowd At Dorcheat Historical Museum Monday Night

Standing Room Only Crowd At Dorcheat Historical Museum

The 41^st “Night at the Museum” was held to a packed house, Monday March 10^th, 2014.  Over 100 people turned out to hear four different speakers.  Webster Parish Historian Mr. John Agan began the evening with a brief history of the German Town Colony and its importance to our area.  Agan was followed by Susie Lester, Otto Krouse and LeVerne Kidd.  These last three speakers are of German heritage with ties to the original colony settlers.   They all spoke of their early childhood days and what it was like growing up in Minden.  Much was learned about Minden’s German heritage and influences that are still here today.

The 42^nd speaker at the museum will be Mr. Butch Williams, on April 14^th, 2014.  Don't miss your chance to hear about some of Minden's earliest 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 CLOSED. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

Webster Parish Historian John Agan began the program for the evening

Susie Lester told of her early childhood

Otto Krouse a direct descendant of the Colony

LeVerne Kidd tells of her early childhood and her German Heritage

Over 100 people attended the event, many sharing Minden's German Heritage as direct descendants of the Colony

2014 Night At The Museum Our German Heritage March 10th, 2014

2014 Night At The Museum Our German Heritage March 10^th, 2014

The 41^st “Night at the Museum” will take place Monday March 10^th, 2014.  This event will feature several guest speakers, including Webster Parish Mr. John Agan, Mr. Otto Krouse, LeVerne Kidd and Susie Lester.  We will learn much about Minden’s German heritage and influences that are still here today.  Most Mindenites have grown up knowing that Minden has a sister city Minden, Germany and most are familiar with Germantown Colony.  Many are not aware of what it was like to be of German decent in the United States during WWII.  This subject will be the main feature of the talk.

 The Germantown Colony and Museum is an historical preservation project north of Minden. It was among three sites in Louisiana founded by former members of the Utopian Movement called the Harmony Society in the early 19th century. The original colonists came from Germany having first settled in Harmony, PA in 1803, then in New Harmony, IN in 1814, and finally in 1825 in Economy (now Ambridge, PA).

About 250 former members of the Harmony Society, many of whom left Economy, Pennsylvania, during 1832, decided to leave because of disagreements over the society's customs. They followed a visionary named Bernhard Muller, who called himself "Count de Leon". The Count called upon all the heads of Europe to relinquish their crowns in a "new world to come."

Some community members would eventfully follow Müller and his family down the Ohio River via flatboat. They later started up again at Grand Ecore, twelve miles north of Natchitoches, Louisiana. There Müller died and was interred in Natchitoches Parish. When the Count died, a congressman obtained passage of a bill donating a tract of land to the colonists and to Countess Leon, the Count's widow. The roots of the Germantown Colony were hence established.

In 1835, the group, then led by Müller's widow, the Countess, settled seven miles northeast of Minden in what was then Claiborne Parish.  For nearly four decades, the colony operated on a communal basis until it dispersed in 1871, when Webster Parish was created from Claiborne Parish. The Countess then moved to Hot Springs, AR., where she died in 1881.

The colony and cemetery thereafter was maintained by members of the Krouse family, including Dr. Francis Otto Krouse.  In 1954, then Governor Robert F. Kennon unveiled a still standing historical marker of the Germantown Colony. The sign is located at the intersections of Broadway, Elm, and East and West streets, across from the Webster Parish Library. Today the historic Germantown Cemetery holds the remains of many of the settlers. Tombstone information reveals that a number were born in Germany. In some cases, the cause of death is listed on the markers.

In 1973, Krouse descendants, including Chester Phillip Krouse (1899–1981) and his sister, Ruby Florence Krouse (1906–2005), donated an acre of land to the Webster Parish Police Jury.  Three of the original buildings, the Countess’ cabin, the kitchen-dining hall, and the Dr. Goentgen cottage, survive at the site. The buildings contain items used by the early settlers.  Some of the original wallpaper remains in the large room of the Countess' cottage, paper which she had ordered from New Orleans to cover the rough walls. A refined woman, the Countess gave piano instruction to girls and young women in her cottage. 

 The Germantown Museum did not open to the public until May 10, 1975, with then former Governor Kennon, a Webster Parish native and a descendant of Germantown colonists, in attendance for the observation.  In 1979, the colony was placed on the list of the "Cultural Resources Worthy of Preservation" by the United States Department of the Interior.   As Germantown, the village was listed in 1979 on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2008, the Louisiana State Legislature under Act 847 declared it appropriate for the state to operate the Germantown Colony and Museum.  On July 1, 2009, the museum switched from parish to state control. The Germantown Colony Museum temporarily closed on June 3, 2013, for the construction of a new visitor’s center. The museum expects to reopen in 2014. The new visitor’s center will provide a climate-controlled area to display artifacts used by the settlers. The renovation also includes restrooms and new office space.

 Don't miss your chance to hear about some of Minden's earliest 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 CLOSED. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

Mardi Gras in Minden New Exhibit Is Up

Mural done by Brian Carlisle

Exhibit with Carolyn Hale's Mardi Gras Dress

Back of Picture with people identified

Early Mardi Gras Court and Parade in Minden, LA.

Picture taken right before the Mardi Gras Feb 13, 1923 Tragedy

John Collins Is The 40th Speaker For "Night For The Museum"

Night At The Museum Kicked Off The Year With It’s 40^th Speaker

Large Crowd On Hand For John Collins The Museum 40th Speaker

The 40^th 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 10^th, 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.”

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. 

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 10^th, 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.

Great Crowd In Spite Of Weather Forecast!

“The Way We Worked In Webster Parish” Now on Display

“The Way We Worked In Webster Parish”

 Now On Display At The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum

In conjunction with the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit located at City Art Works, the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum has a mural of Webster Parish called “The Way We Worked In Webster Parish”.  This mural features pictures from Webster parish depicting different ways that area people have worked through the earlier eras of time, including early logging and train photographs.  The exhibit also has a video presentation featuring the depression era work conditions to add to the display.   The museum exhibit will be up from Tuesday, January 7^th, 2014 until Tuesday, February 11^th, 2014.  On Monday, February 10^th, 2014, in conjunction with the exhibit John Collins will be the first speaker for 2014 with a presentation on the oldest business on Main Street. 

The ways we work in Webster Parish have change greatly over the last 100 years!  Gone are the days of the horse and buggy, mule teams, steam trains and Model T cars.  Milking cows by hand on a dairy farm has long been replaced by automated milking machines that are computerized in fancy milking barns.  The Dairy business like most other businesses has seen much progress.  Some would say “We have lost the human touch!”

No longer do you use a treadle sewing machine to make your clothes, or a wringer washing machine to squeeze out the daily wash.  Today we have new-fangled, fancy, computerized, push-button home appliances.  Even lawn mowing has change drastically.  Gone are the days of the old push style human powered mowers, now replaced by the new Zero-Turn mowers (who would have ever thought you would pay two or three times the price for a lawn mower compared to what you paid for a car in the 1970s)?

Even going to the grocery store is different, in just the last 20 years or so.  Now we have barcodes and item scanners that ring up our purchase at the self-checkout line.  I liked having someone bag and check my items at stores.  The self-service gas station is now more common that a full-service station.  In fact if you find a full-service station you have stumbled upon a step back in time. 

Oh for the “good ole’ days” when life was easier… but in same ways harder… because we had to work a little more just to get the job done.  Maybe that made us appreciate the money we made or the product we produced from the fruits of our labor a little more….just a thought on the way we worked.

Dorcheat Historical Association Museum is located at 116 Pearl Street in Minden.  Hours are Tuesday-Friday 10-4 closed from 1-2 for lunch.  For more information contact Schelley Francis at 318-377-3002.  Or visit the museum website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com also you can find us on Facebook. 

2014 Night At The Museum Speakers Kick Off The Year With Mr. John Collins

 FEBRUARY 10th, 2014

In conjunction with the Smithsonian “The Way We Worked” traveling exhibit that has been in Minden over the past month, the museum’s first 2014 “Night At The Museum Speaker” will talk about his deep rooted Webster parish family history and his work experience at the oldest continuously operating store in downtown Minden.

Mr. John Collins spent his early childhood days in Minden.  He is a 1966 Minden High Graduate and a 1970 LA Tech grad.  John is married to the former Margaret Anderson of Delhi, Louisiana. John and Margaret have two adult sons; Andy and Alex.  Most everyone in Minden associates the Collins family with what is now A.J. Price, Incorporated.  John is owner and president of this company.  The company operates the local downtown “OLD WESTERN AUTO STORE” among two other locations in Minden and Benton.  But the one we will learn about is the OLD STORE.  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.  Minden’s Western Auto has the distinction of being the oldest continually operating Western Auto in the U.S.

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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Get In The Christmas Spirit December 7th, 2013 In Minden, LA

Minden's Holiday Tour of Homes to be held on December 7th, 2013 from 11 am - 3 pm.

Tickets for the tour are $10 and may be purchased at each location or on the trolley.    Visitors my take their own cars to each location, or simply catch a free ride on the trolley which will be constantly be  making the route picking folks up.   The trolley ride will originate at the City Art Works, 701 Main Street.  There is plenty of parking at the Minden Civic Center.

Downtown merchants will be hosting holiday sales and Open Houses on Saturday at Wrap it Up Downtown!  

The Minden Community Chorus will be giving a glimpse of what can be expected at their annual Christmas Concerts (to be held on December 17^th at the First United Methodist Church) from 3 until 4 on Saturday the 7^th at City Art Works.   The Chorus will also have refreshments for visitors to enjoy! 

 Dorcheat Museum will be open Free Admission from 11-3

Santa will also be hanging around downtown on Saturday.

The Minden Evening Lions Club Annual Christmas Parade will top off the festivities of the day.   The parade begins at 5PM in Downtown Minden.

For more information call:

Pattie Odom, Downtown Development

318-464-0266

The Fair Is In Town

Remembering The Fair At The Museum

 

 

The new temporary exhibit at the museum highlights the Webster Parish Fair of the 1950s.  For those that grew up in the area during that time, the beginning of the Fall season is "Fair Time"!  A time filled with cotton candy, sideshow barkers, greased poles and greased pig competitions, parades and the Fair Queen contest.  Photos are from the Bob Grambling Collection and span all of the 1950s. 

"Part III Night At The Museum" with Frank Griffith

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its final "Night at the Museum" for the 2013 series of speakers on the second Monday night in October 2013.  Mr. Frank Griffith will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on October 14th, 2013.

Many may remember Mr. Griffith as the very first "Night For The Museum" speaker back in 2008 and then again in April of 2013!  His encore appearance is sure to be just as captivating as his last museum event.  Griffith’s last talk focused on the stores along back street during his childhood and early boyhood years.  His next talk may focus on some of the old buildings and stores along front street as well as his father long time sheriff; B.F. Griffith.  Griffith’s deep roots in Minden add a personal flavor to this talks.  His stories are very detailed and filled with amusing antidotes.  Griffith has extensive knowledge of Minden's 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.