What’s Happening At The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum In Minden, Louisiana

A Little Glimpse Of Old Time Summer Fun

The museum is in high gear with the building expansion project.  Our goal of $135,000 is very close to being achieved.  As our deadline of September 31, 2013 approaches we have reached out again to our patrons.  Our fundraiser letters were mailed out in April and our 4^th museum cookbook has been flying off the shelves.  We only need $25,000 to purchase our adjacent building.  We are so looking forward to reaching our goal and having the option to expand and showcase more Webster Parish History. 

May 13, 2013 was our 41^st museum event since 2008!  “The Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant and Beyond” was presented to a packed house of over 100 people.  Many of the attendees had worked at LAAP at some point in their life.  Many memories of plant life were shared as well as the overall operations of the facility.  LAAP was one of the largest employers of area people since it was built in the 1940s for WWII and continued in full force thru the Vietnam Conflict.  Our “Night At The Museum” series of speakers has been a huge success and we have learned so much with these oral history presentations.  Our DVD series based on these events has been a nice added fundraiser for the museum. 

With summer time right around the corner the museum “History Pioneer” program is the perfect way to spend the day with a child.  Free Webster Parish history coloring books are given to each child along with a pack of color crayons at the end of the visit.  A promise of a gift is always a good way to get someone’s full attention!   

 
The museum is announcing new hours.  Our longtime volunteer, Mr. Floyd McBride will be moving to Lafayette, Louisiana and so our board decided that the museum would make a few changes.  New hours to be open are:  Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and closed from 1-2 for lunch.  Saturday hours will be by appointment only and for special events.  To make a reservation call museum director; Schelley Brown Francis at 318-377-3002.  Visit the museum today at 116 Pearl Street in Minden, Louisiana.   Check us on Facebook or visit our website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com

Remembering The Shell Plant May 13th, 2013 "Night At The Museum"

Remembering the Shell Plant at the next “Night at the Museum”

 

Don't Miss An Evening Of Area History

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 4^th and last event before the summer break, Monday May 13^th, 2013.  Colonel Carl Thompson; Camp Minden Facility Manager and Deputy Installation Commander will present a panel of guest speakers for the evening.  These speakers will be telling the history of the Louisiana Ordnance Plant. 

Many on the panel were longtime employees from many eras of the plant. Steve Shows will serve as the Night at the Museum presenter, commentator and panel moderator: Steve Shows was the LAAAP General Manager for many years.  Al Smith: LAAAP US Government representative (security), Virginia (Jenny) Fox: RN and LAAAP Hospital representative, Bobby Thompson: LAAAP Personnel Services representative, Patsy Garcin: LAAAP Human Resources (Personnel) representative, Fred Berry: LAAAP Production representative, Patsy Roach: LAAAP US Government representative (logistics – property and procurement) and Doyle Williams: LAAAP US Government representative (environmental and safety) are scheduled to attend. 

“Construction of the Louisiana Ordnance Plant (later re-named the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant or LAAAP) was initiated in May 1941 for the purpose of providing munitions to the US Armed Forces during WWII. Since May 1941 the LAAAP has produce munitions to support both the Korea War and Vietnam War and, in the process, employed thousands of workers from the Ark-LA-Tex. Today, the LAAAP (now known as Camp Minden) continues to serve the United States by providing commercial re-use of the existing facilities for commercial operations and for military training.”

Don't miss your chance to hear about some of Minden's early 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 10 a.m. - noon. The museum admission is free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.

April 8th, 2013 Night At The Museum with Mr. Frank Griffith

"Night At The Museum" with Frank Griffith

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 3rd "Night at the Museum" for the 2013 series of speakers on the second Monday night in April 2013. Mr. Frank Griffith will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on April 8th, 2013.

Many may remember Mr. Griffith as the very first "Night For The Museum" speaker back in 2008! His repeat appearance is sure to be just as captivating. Griffith has deep roots in Minden. His stories are very detailed and filled with amusing antidotes. Griffith has extensive knowledge of Minden's history as well as the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.

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.

“Night At The Museum” with Joan Wiley Luck

“Night At The Museum” with Joan Wiley Luck

Joan Wiley Luck will be an event you do not want to miss!

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 2nd “Night at the Museum” for the 2013 series of speakers on the second Monday night in March 2013.  Mrs. Joan Wiley Luck will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on March 11th, 2013.

Joan Wiley Luck ... native of Minden, attended school here in Minden and also in Southern California where her mother lived at the time.  Joan is a mother of four children, Cyndy Clement Gay of Minden, Amanda Clement Barber of Chino Valley, AZ, Rebecca Clement White of Minden and Mark Clement of Fordoche, LA.  Joan has six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

She has worked most of her life in the Webster Parish Court System, where she spent 21 years in District Court and has spent 26 years in Minden City Court, where she served as Clerk and Court Administrator for Judge Harmon Drew, Jr. and now serves in that same capacity for Judge John C. Campbell. In her spare time she enjoys fishing with her husband, Joe, painting, cooking, bird watching and spending time with her family.

Her roots run deep in north Louisiana, with both maternal and fraternal ancestors having settled here many generations ago and, as she will tell you, she would not want to live anywhere else but Minden.  Joan and her husband Joe Luck are always eager to help preserve Minden’s rich history.  Both have played characters for several years at the Minden Cemetery Ghost Walk. 

Joan has a very vivid memory when it comes to her childhood experiences.  These memories were captured in 2012 in her book “My Small Abundances” now available at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum.  Joan is also a regular contributor to the museum cookbooks, where she shares memories with each of her recipes.  As she states in the front of her book, “I hope my memories bring a smile to your face.  Smiling is good for the soul!”  

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.

 

 

 

“Night At The Museum” with Philip McInnis Packs The House

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum held its 38th “Night at the Museum” on February 11, 2013.  Mr. Philip McInnis spoke to a packed house at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum.  Schelley Brown Francis stated, “People started coming in early so I knew we were going to have a full house!  Philip has such a dry humor that he kept the crowd entertained.  He gave a very detailed account of his family history along with some great pictures to add interest for everyone in attendance.  He did a wonderful job and we are so glad he agreed to speak for the evening event.”

McInnis is a member of one of Minden’s early business families.  The McInnis Insurance business in Minden dates back to the 1920s and the McInnis Brothers Construction dates back to the 1940s.  McInnis spoke of his grandparents and what it was like for him growing up in Minden.  Like many others, he wouldn’t trade growing up in Minden for anything.  He is very grateful and appreciative of his life here in Webster Parish.    

If you have missed any of the museum events they are available on DVD for $10 each.  The next “Night at the Museum” will feature Joan Willey Luck.  Joan will speak on Monday, March 11^th, 2013.  Mark your calendar now; you don’t want to miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s pioneer families.  The museum events are held in the Media/Learning room at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street, Minden, La.  Museum doors open at 5:30 p.m., with first-come, first-serve seating.  Programs begin 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.

Help Our Museum Library Grow In 2013

The Dorcheat Historical Museum is looking for a few good books and documents for the resource library! Donations of Webster Parish school yearbooks, church directories, family histories, fraternal organization and church membership rosters, local business historical records, etc, are needed. Of particular interest: MHS yearbooks from 1922 – 1935, 1981-1997, 2006-present, Springhill Webster, Glenbrook, and any other Webster Parish School - any year.

Each item will entered into the museum data base, by volunteer cataloger, Eddie Hammontree, retired Director of the Webster Parish Library System. Searchable records, which are available to the public, include basic information about the item contents, donor, and associated persons.

Donated items will remain in the library and are not available for check-out, unless special permission is obtained from the Museum Executive Director, Schelley Francis or Board President, Thad Andress. Individuals are permitted to make limited photographs and, if requested, museum staff will make and, if needed, mail photocopies of specific passages or entries.

Admission to the Museum is free, although, as with many small non-profit organizations, donations are appreciated. Operating hours are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 10:00 a.m. – Noon on Saturdays. On Weekdays, the Museum is closed from 1:00 –2:-00 for lunch. For more information, contact Schelley at 318-377-3002 or Eddie at 318-377-2051.

 

Help Us Expand The Library Section Of The Museum

First "Night At The Museum" For 2013 will be Philip McInnis

Don't Miss The First "Night At The Museum" for 2013

Doors Open At 5:30

“Night At The Museum” with Philip McInnis

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 1st “Night at the Museum” for the 2013 series of speakers on the second Monday night in February 2013.  Mr. Philip McInnis will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on February 11th, 2013.

McInnis is a member of one of Minden’s early business families.  The McInnis Insurance business in Minden dates back to the 1920s and the McInnis Brothers Construction dates back to the 1940s.

Mark Philip McInnis was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1949 to Claire Burks McInnis and Harry E. McInnis, Sr.  He graduated as an honor student at Minden High School in 1967.  He earned a B.S. in Accounting from Louisiana State University in 1971 and then earned a Masters in Business Administration from LSU in 1973.  He was an Accounting Award recipient in 1970. 

In addition to his college studies, McInnis received his basic training from the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1971, and continued to serve with the 1087^th Transportation Company based in Minden until his Honorable Discharge in 1977. 

After finishing graduate school at LSU, McInnis returned home to Minden to join his father, uncle, brother and cousin in two family businesses.  After 40 years, he is still actively engaged with both.  He serves as President of McInnis Insurance Agency, Inc., which was incorporated in 1924 by his grandfather, John L. McInnis.  He is responsible for overall management of the agency and is active in all aspects of it.  Under his management, the agency has acquired four other agencies in Minden, Homer and Haynesville over the last twenty years.  He also serves as Secretary-Treasurer of McInnis Brothers Construction, Inc., which was founded by his father and uncle in 1947.  He is involved there with accounting, computer systems, and human resources, and serves on the Board of Directors with his brother Harry McInnis, Jr. and cousin George McInnis.  McInnis Brothers is engaged in commercial and industrial construction in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, and is one of the larger general contractors in North Louisiana. 

Beyond his duties with McInnis Brothers and McInnis Insurance, McInnis has been involved in his community through civic, professional and church work.  A life-long member of First United Methodist Church in Minden, he has served in many capacities there, including Chairman of the Administrative Council, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee.  He has also chaired several Stewardship Campaigns. 

McInnis has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce, and served as Chairman in 2003.  In his earlier years on the Minden Chamber of Commerce Board, he was instrumental in bringing both the Shreveport Symphony and New Orleans Symphony to Minden for performances.  He also served a three-year term on the board of Minden Medical Center, including a year as Chairman.   

He has served in many civic capacities, including as President of the Minden Downtown Lions Club.  He is also a recipient of the Lion of the Year Award.  He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, and also the Board of the Shreveport Symphony, among others.  He also was one of the original Board of Directors of the Strand Theatre Corporation. 

McInnis has also been active in professional organizations, and currently is in his sixth year serving on the Board of Directors of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana.  He has also served on the Board of the Associated General Contractors, Shreveport Chapter, and on the National Agent’s Advisory Council of Great American Insurance Company. 

McInnis is married to Kathy Windham McInnis, and has two children, Margaret Elizabeth McInnis and Mark Philip McInnis, Jr.  Over the course of his life he has enjoyed sports (especially LSU athletics), reading, golf, fishing, photography, movies and the performing arts, and especially when sharing these with his family.

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s early business 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.

 

 

 

Christmas Of Our Past 2012

               Get a glimpse of Christmas past this holiday season at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located in Minden, Louisiana.  A backdrop of Minden in the snow from 1892 welcomes you with a special holiday greeting and vintage Christmas music in the background.  The museum is decorated for holidays with a special exhibit of antique Christmas cards that date back to 1911 along with antique children’s Christmas books and toys.  The 1800s O’Bier Cabin is a real treat for our visitors; the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in this one room historical cabin.  The simple popcorn decorations on a feather tree along with greenery on the mantel and red patch work quilts on the bed and table adorn this highlighted exhibit of the Webster Parish museum.  Special holiday hours will be in place during the season so please check our website for more information.  As always the museum offers free admission to guest.  Join us on Facebook or join our email list by visiting or website at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com

Taste Of Yesterday IV Cookbook!

Front Cover

Back Cover

This fourth cookbook for the museum promises to be the best ever!  Filled with 400 recipes and pictures from many of those places we all remember such as Turner's Boarding House, Southern Kitchen, Lunsford's Downtowner and many others.  This book is filled with wonderful memories of shopping and dining in Webster Parish.  Don't miss this book. 

 

Cost is $20 per book plus we will ship for an extra $5

Please mail your check to

Dorcheat Museum

P.O. Box 1094

Minden, La. 71058

For more info please contact Schelley Brown Francis at 318-423-0192

 

Acknowledgments

As spokesperson for the museum, I would like to thank the contributors to this cookbook for the wonderful recipes and stories. This book is dedicated to those that remember fondly “The good ole days of shopping and eating along the Main Streets of small town America and the local entrepreneurs that operated these establishments.”  When you think of your youth, you think of soda fountains, home delivered groceries and the local families that worked or owned these small stores and restaurants.  With those memories we remember meals shared at the local Drive-In or Sunday dinners.  We carry these precious memories with us, even when our small town life seems to disappear and many of those store fronts are torn down, faded and worn with time. 

I would like to recognize Brian Carlisle for his design work along with John Agan for his historic knowledge, folk artist Cora Lou Robinson for the cover art, and the Wise Family for the Wise Family recipes. Their talents made this more than a cookbook.  I especially thank the advertisers for making this book possible!

We have saved a part of history with these memories.  Many will never know about the old time country stores that we remember as children.  We are the lucky ones we can be brought back to these places in our minds with just a simple smell in the air, a faded sign on the side of an old building or a favorite recipe. 

The proceeds of this book will be used to help us expand our museum by purchasing and renovating the building next door!  We thank you for your support in this effort.  For information call 318-377-3002.  Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 1094, Minden, Louisiana 71058.  Please visit us at 116 Pearl Street, Minden, Louisiana or www.musueminminden.blogspot.com we are also on Facebook.

Sincerely,

Schelley Brown Francis

Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc.

 

Museum Holdiay Hours 2012

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Night For The Museum

Cora Lou shows Mrs. Lester where she has captured Lester in this painting as a Sunday School Teacher

Charlotte Martin's wonderful Happy 200th Birthday Louisiana Cake was a big hit at the gala

Cora Lou Robinson Original Painting The Highlight Of The Night!

 

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum’s annual fundraiser was a huge success bringing in over $40,000.  Over 150 patrons of the museum crowded into the silent auction room as the bidding frenzy began at 6:00 p.m. on Monday night. 

Museum director; Schelley Francis was very pleased with this years turnout stating that her goal was to reach $40,000 this year.  She also stated, “The money is still rolling in with a call today of a pledge of $10,000 to add to the total.  This should bring the total for the gala to around $50,000 more or less.  Which I am very pleased with!  We could not have done any of this without the support of so many that donated items and food for the auction.  We have been collecting items from local artist, businesses, cooks, patrons and so many more that I can’t begin to name them all.  Without them none of this would be possible and I hope they know how much the museum board of directors and I thank them!  Hopefully we can get the building next door earlier than expected but at least I know we have a good chunk of what we need in the bank.” 

 

The museum opened its doors in August of 2008 and has been going strong ever since!  The highlight of the evening of course was the original painting by folk artist Cora Lou Robinson.  This painting of the Minden Presbyterian Church in the 1940s went for a high bid of $8,000 to museum supporter and avid Cora Lou fan; Mrs. Margaret Evans. 

A Gift Of Her Memories

A Gift Of Her Memories

 

Folk Artist; Cora Lou Robinson is hard at work for the Dorcheat Historical Association fundraiser to be held Monday night at the Dorcheat Museum.  Mrs. Robinson’s paintings have been the highlight item at the last few museum silent auctions, creating a biding frenzy between a few Minden natives plus helping the museum by raising much needed funds. 

“This years painting is sure to be a huge hit among locals!  Cora Lou is always willing to help and the museum is something she is proud to be a part of.  It is her way of giving back where she can.”, stated museum director Schelley Francis.

Getting back to painting this year has been difficult for Mrs. Robinson, since the death of her husband and biggest fan; Ronnie Robinson.  Cora Lou commented that, “Ronnie always kept me motivated and on track with my paintings.  He was always near and would make helpful comments and suggestions about all my work.  It has been hard not to have him right there with me as I began painting this project for the museum.  I started this piece last year with him here by my side and this is the first time I have picked up the brushes since his death.”  Francis stated, “I encouraged Cora Lou as much as I could, by telling her that Ronnie would be really mad at her if she did not get back to painting.  Ronnie was a big help to me at the museum and I knew him well enough to tell Cora Lou what I thought he might say to her.  I would always tell her something in a joking way to keep her motivated, like Ronnie always did.  I think this piece of her art work is special for that reason, if for no other.”

The painting for this year is titled “Bible School- Presbyterian Church-1940s”

 “I grew up in the Presbyterian Church and one of my most pleasant memories is Bible School.  Most of it was held outside and I never remember anyone complaining about being hot.  We sang, did crafts, planted flowers, played, and studied the Bible.

Our pastor was John Davis and everyone called him Brother Davis.  His very talented wife taught music.  I will never forget the most wonderful Sunday school teacher I ever had.  She is Susie Lester and she is pictured at the refreshment table.  Those were very special times and I will cherish those memories forever.”… Cora Lou Robinson

The event is $25 per person and begins at 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 10^th,  at 116 Pearl Street.  For more information and to reserve your spot please contact Schelley Francis at 423-0192.