Traveling Exhibit May 16, 2012 - June 30, 2012 At The Dorcheat Museum

Traveling Exhibit Coming To Minden
May 16, 2012 - June 30, 2012
At The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum

Traveling Exhibit May 16, 2012 - June 30, 2012 At The Dorcheat Museum

Traveling Exhibit May 16, 2012 - June 30, 2012 At The Dorcheat Museum

BECOMING LOUISIANA: PATH TO STATEHOOD
A TRAVELING EXHIBIT

PRESENTED BY THE LOUISIANA BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

APRIL 12, 2012 - APRIL 12, 2013

“Becoming Louisiana” Begins Statewide Tour

Becoming Louisiana: Path to Statehood, is a traveling exhibition commemorating 200 years of Louisiana statehood, begins its statewide tour in April 2012. Presented by the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission, the exhibition will be featured in Louisiana museums and libraries through April 2013. 

Inaugural sites for the exhibition include the West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen; Kent Plantation House, Alexandria; Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, Homer; Audubon State Historic Site, St. Francisville; public libraries in Calcasieu, East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes, and the State Library of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

Becoming Louisiana: Path to Statehood is the result of collaboration between exhibition curator, Herman Mhire, graphic designer, Kate Ferry, and historian, Charles Elliott. The exhibition documents the roles Louisiana’s unique geography and cultural history played on its path to becoming the 18^th state of the Union, and consists of a series of 10 fabric panels displaying images and text that tell the story of early Louisiana history.

Utilizing Charles Elliott’s historical text as a guide, Mhire researched the collections of the Louisiana State Museum and The Historic New Orleans Collection for relevant historical paintings, engravings, documents and maps. He and graphic designer Kate Ferry subsequently collaborated on the design of the panels, integrating images and typography into a rich tapestry illustrating early Louisiana history.  Exhibition themes include: “The Path to Statehood,” “The Geography of Power,” “From Chiefdoms to Colony,” “Empowering a French Creole Colony,” “Evolving French Creole Louisiana,” “New Powers, Old Purposes,” “Expanding a Spanish Colony,” “A Creole Colony Purchased,” and “Challenges on the Path to Statehood.”

Herman Mhire is a Distinguished Professor of Visual Arts in the College of the Arts, University of Louisiana, Lafayette and former Director/Chief Curator of the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, where he organized more than 200 exhibitions presented in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 2004 the Minister of Culture of France named Herman Mhire a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Kate Ferry has produced award-winning art direction in print design, television, animation, and illustration for local, regional and national advertising campaigns for more than 25 years. Her clients include state and local tourism, political campaigns, construction, healthcare and the restaurant/hospitality industry, state and local libraries, arts organizations and non-profits.

Charles N. Elliott teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Louisiana and American

History at Southeastern Louisiana University. He received the 1997 William Coker Award in Gulf South History for “Bienville’s English Turn Incident: Anecdotes Influencing History” and the 2012 Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Award for Individual Achievement in the Humanities.

“Becoming Louisiana: Path to Statehood” will be accompanied by a collectible, fine art commemorative poster, measuring 27 inches by 39 inches, featuring an image of an 18 star American flag, ca. 1812, made by residents of Hope Plantation to fly over the Arsenal in Baton Rouge, from the collection of the Louisiana State Museum. The poster is available for sale on the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission website, Louisianabicentennial2012.com.

The Louisiana Bicentennial Commission was created to mark the 200th anniversary of Louisiana’s attainment of statehood as the 18th state in the Union. Through both education and celebration, the Commission’s goal is to commemorate the Louisiana Bicentennial in every corner of the state. These activities include projects to be undertaken by the state seeking to harmonize and balance the important goals of ceremony and celebration with the equally important goals of scholarship and education. 

For More Information Contact:

Lance Harris, Director of Curatorial Services for the Secretary of State Museums (225) 362-5225; Charlene Bonnette, Head of the Louisiana Department  at the Louisiana State Library (225) 342-2791; and Julie Rose, Director at the West Baton Rouge Museum (225) 336-2422.

The exhibition’s state tour has been made possible by Coca-Cola, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Entergy, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Bollinger Family Foundation, Haynie Family Foundation, Louisiana Lottery, The McMains Foundation, Zuschlag Family Foundation, AT&T, Goldring Family Foundation, and Union Pacific Railroad

“Night for the Museum with Leonard D. Miller, Brigadier General”

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 4th “Night at the Museum” for the 2012 series of speakers on the second Monday night in May, 2012.  Leonard D. Miller, Brigadier General, US Army (Retired) will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on May 14th, 2012.

General Miller was born in Minden in 1941 and graduated from Minden High School in 1959.  Miller graduated from Northwestern State College in 1964.  During his years of college Miller, married Carolyn Hall (also of Minden and a graduate of Northwestern) in 1962.  The couple has two sons and four grandchildren.  Both boys are LSU graduates.  One daughter-in-law is an LSU graduated with a Masters from ULM and the other is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  One son lives in Shrewsbury, PA and the other lives in Spring, TX.

Leonard and Carolyn left Minden in 1964 after he was commissioned through the ROTC program at Northwestern.  For the next 29 years he was a professional soldier with duty stations throughout the United States.  Additionally, they served two tours in Germany and he was assigned to Vietnam for two tours.  Carolyn stayed in Minden those two tours.  The first tour was 19678-1968 when they had one son and the second was 1972-1973 when they had the two sons.  Leonard retired from active duty in 1993 and they lived in their home in Fairfax, VA (which they purchased in 1979 for the first of the three assignments in the DC area) until 2002.  In the summer of 2002 they returned to their hometown of Minden and bought a home on Drake Drive. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s most high ranking Veterans.  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.

A Night At The Museum with Richard Campbell D.D.S. "Dr. Feelgood"

Click on cards to enlarge

“Night for the Museum with “Dr. Feelgood”

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 3rd “Night at the Museum” for the 2012 series of speakers on the second Monday night in April, 2012.  Dr. Richard Campbell better known to some as “Dr. Feelgood” will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on April 9th, 2012.

Richard W. Campbell; a product of Minden's public education gained a BA in English and a BS in Zoology from LA Tech and a DDS from LSU. He plans to regale listeners with stories of growing up in the best of times in Minden and about his mother, Thomas Lorraine Campbell who was Webster's first Parish Historian. Additionally, he will give insight into what it was like to have been an Infantry Recon Platoon Leader in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division.

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s homegrown sons. 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.

Dr. Richard Campbell prepares his notes at a table where a few of the items he carried in the 1st Calvary Division are displayed during Monday’s Night for the Museum event. | Press-Herald photo/Bonnie Culverhouse

A standing-room-only crowd saw a different side of "Dr. Feelgood" Monday night from the one they may have previously known.
Dr. Richard Campbell addressed the Night for the Museum group with stories of his family's move to Minden from Marceline, Missouri. He talked of how his parents followed his uncle to Louisiana and how his father liked Minden better than Shreveport so they settled here.
He also talked of his mother, Thomas Lorraine Campbell, who was Webster's first Parish historian.
But then he talked of the time he spent in Vietnam in the 1st Calvary Division from 1970 to 1971.
"I was in two different battalions," Campbell said. "I was a line platoon leader and later a recon platoon leader."
Men in his platoon carried packs weighing 90 pounds, in addition to a M-16 U.S. rifle and SKS Chinese community carbine.
"It's a semi-automatic version of the AK-47," Campbell said. "The AK-47 is actually the most recognized weapon – and perhaps symbol – in the world."
Campbell said the 90-pound packs he and his men carried, consisted of 13 quarts of water, 400 rounds of M-16 ammunition, C-4 explosives, M-60 machine gun rounds, five fragmentation grenades, five smoke rounds, an air mattress, ponchos, five days of food rations, toiletries, toilet paper, extra socks, an entrenching tool (shovel) and a Machete.
"The toilet paper, bug spray and foot powder were among the most important things," said Campbell, who also admitted he carried a 9mm pistol and 30 rounds for it.
Night for the Museum events are held once a month at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street. Admission is free with donations accepted.
For more information about the museum, contact Schelley Brown Francis at 377-3002.

If You Build It They Will Come

North Acres Church Senior Adult Class take a tour!

Mr. Claude West and sister Gloria West Evans draw a crowd of over 125 !

Over 300 guest for the month of March!

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum has been a very busy place this March.  The Minden Study Club group held their monthly meeting in the Media/Learning Center on Friday March 2, 2012 with John Agan the Webster Parish Historian as guest speaker.  Next on the calendar was the 2^nd “Night at the Museum” with Gloria West Evans and Mr. Claude West speaking to over 120 people about the West family.  This event was followed up on Wednesday March 14^th, 2012 with the Senior Adult class of North Acres Baptists Church attending a 45 minute tour of the museum.   Schelley Francis reported over 300 people have been through the museum in just the past few weeks. 

Mrs. Francis stated, “Having the “Nights at the Museum” in our Media/Learning Center is really working out great.  The people get to experience what we are all about.  So many people that have not been to the museum before are getting to see it for the first time.  The WOW factor is what we strive for and we are sure getting a lot of that now.  We have hopes of expansion within the next year or so and with so many people now seeing what we have this will speed up the need for more room.  We couldn’t be more pleased, with the generosity of the many people and entities that have helped us to get to where we are today.  The museum was a long time coming and so much hard work has been done since 2008 to get to where we are today.  We have a first class facility with so much to offer for all ages.  Plus you can rent out the museum for special events!”

If you would like to book a class tour or a special group tour of the museum please give museum director Schelley Francis a call at 318-377-3002.  Admission is free.  Museum is open Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed from 1-2 lunch) Saturday from 10-noon.  We can accommodate other hours with a special booking.  Join us on Facebook to find out the latest information and you can also sign up for email blast by visiting the museum blog at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com .

The West Family “Night At The Museum”

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 2nd “Night at the Museum” for the 2012 series of speakers on the second Monday night in March, 2012. Siblings, Mrs. Gloria West Evans and Mr. Claude O. West will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on March, 12^th, 2012, about The West Family history, why they came to Minden, growing up in Minden, the days of West Brother’s Department stores and West Gibson's.

Both Evans and West graduated from Minden High School.  Mrs. Evans graduated Louisiana College, did graduate work at Louisiana Tech to earn her certification to teach computer literacy.  Mrs. Evans would later teach at Glenbrook School.  Claude West graduated LSU, worked two summers at New York University School of Business.

Gloria married her high school sweetheart, David Evans, and the couple will celebrate their 50^th Anniversary in 2012.  They have lived in Pineville, La., Mobile, Alabama, North Little Rock, Ark., before moving back to Minden in 1966.  Gloria and David have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Claude married his high school sweetheart, Leatrice David, and celebrated their 65^th anniversary in 2011.  They have lived in Baton Rouge, Springhill, Bastrop, Homer, De Ridder, Louisiana and Stuttgart, Arkansas before moving back to Minden in 1955.  Claude and Leatrice have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren with two more on the way.  Both families are members of the First Baptist Church Minden.

Don’t miss your chance to hear about one of Minden’s well known 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.

Stagecoach Days In Minden

click on pictures to see larger

Dorcheat Historical Association Museum has several new exhibits to highlight the recent work being done in the Military and the Religion section of the museum and a new temporary exhibit showcasing the Chaffe family in Minden during the 1800s.  Museum director, Schelley Francis would like to invite everyone to see the museum and the new exhibits located at 116 Pearl Street.  Admission is free, Tuesday - Saturday.  Francis encourages people to book group tours by calling the museum at 318-377-3002.   “You get so much more out of your museum experience if you plan the guided tour!” stated Francis.  

The following description of the Chaffe family is from the Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana printed in 1890; Christopher Chaffe, proprietor of Minden foundry and livery stable, Minden, La.  Among the enterprising, pushing, thoroughgoing and public spirited citizens of Minden and Webster Par., Louisiana the above mentioned gentleman ranks among the first.  He is a native of England, born in Devonshire County on January 8, 1818, and his parents, John and Johanna (Skelton) Chaffe, were natives of the same country.  

John Chaffe was a blacksmith and farmer, and carried on a prosperous business until his death in 1848.  His widow survived him several years, and died in her native country when eighty-two years of age.  Christopher Chaffe learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and remained with him until twenty-nine years of age, at which time he started out for himself.  He remained in his native country until 1840, and then immigrated to the States, locating at Minden, La., where he has since resided.  Here he has met with varied success. 

He built a shop and started in business here in 1851, but an enemy burned his shop in the same year.  He soon bought out a foundry, established himself here, and also built a barn in 1854 in order to engage in the livery business.  He has been carrying on a successful business here for years.  In 1880 he met with another loss by fire, his gin house being burned.  In 1887 his residence was burned.  He rebuilt the house the same year, but this too, was destroyed by fire in 1888, together with his livery barn and office.  

At no time has Mr. Chaffe been discouraged, but began anew with renewed energy and determination, being better fixed to-day than at any past time.  He has a large, new, substantial residence, a farm of about 500 acres with 300 acres under cultivation, the gin is kept busy and he is doing a fair livery business.  In 1854 Mr. Chaffe took a mail contract and started a mail line to Monroe from Minden.  In 1856 he also took a mail contract from Shreveport to Vicksburg, and established a daily line.  He had several mail contracts during the war, and is still in the Government service as a mail contractor.  

Mr. Chaffe was married in England on May 29, 1848, to Miss Jane Farley, a most estimable lady, who died here in 1867.  She was his devoted wife and helpmate for nineteen years, and was a faithful and consistent member of the Episcopal Church.  To his marriage were born six children, viz.: Charles (married, resided in Texas), Arthur (married and resides in Minden), Clarence, Jeanette, Lizzie and Trebly.  Mr. Chaffe and family are members of the Episcopal Church. 

To learn more about the museum you can visit the web site at www.museuminminden.blogspot.com  or find Dorcheat Museum on Facebook. The museum is the perfect place to learn a little about Webster Parish.

“WWII War Stories” with Jack Holman

“WWII War Stories”

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum held its 1st “Night At The Museum” for the 2012 series of speakers on Monday night, February 13th, 2012.  The event highlighted the WWII memories of Mr. Jack Holman.  The evening began with opening comments and welcome by museum director Schelley Brown Francis.  Dorcheat Museum Association President, Mr. Thad Andress then introduced the guest speaker. 

Holman told of his journey from the halls of his college days at Ole’ Miss to going into the Navy soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Hobson Holman attained the non-commissioned rank of Fire Controlman Second Class Petty Officer onboard the destroyer USS HOBSON, the lead ship for the Utah Beachhead at Normandy on D-Day. HOBSON took Holman to Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day, southern France for the invasion, the sinking of U- 571 and to Okinawa, Japan in the Pacific Theatre where his ship was under daily Kamikaze attacks. Holman’s vivid memories mixed with a little humor made the night special to everyone in attendance.  Holman has also written several books about WWII that anyone interested in the subject would enjoy.   

Even with the cold and rainy weather, the museum was standing room only with a little over 100 people attending the evening.  “I am so glad I was able to attend tonight.” commented one of the guests who had never been to a museum event. 

The museum is open free of charge Tuesday-Saturday.  The next museum event will be held Monday, March 12^th,  with Gloria West Evans and Claude O. West as guest speakers.  The Nights At The Museum events are something that anyone interested in history and the Minden area will not want to miss.

If you would like to hear the story as told by Mr. Holman or any of the other speakers you can contact the museum for your copy of the DVD for $10 each.  For more information contact Schelley Brown Francis at 318-377-3002 or visit www.museuminminden.blogspot.com .  You can also find the museum on Facebook.

"Night At The Museum" February 13th, 2012

Return To Pearl Harbor

“Night At The Museum” With WWII Veteran Mr. Jack Holman

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its 1st “Night at the Museum” for the 2012 series of speakers on the second Monday night in February, 2012. Mr. Jack Holman will speak at the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum on February 12^th, 2012, about the Pacific Theater of Operations and Pearl Harbor.

Jack Holman spent his childhood and teenage years in Macon, Mississippi.  His family owned a 100 acre farm located three blocks from down-town, and bordering the Noxubee River on two sides.  Jack and his childhood friends spent many hours on the river doing what boys do best, swimming, fishing and hunting squirrels, rabbits and quail, camping out and riding horses.

Then the world changed for Holman and his friends.  The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1941.  The United States declared war, and the rest is history.  Jack spent nearly three years in the U.S. Navy in the American, European, and Pacific Theaters of War. 

January 1^st, 1972 was the day Jack and wife; Mickey came to Minden, after Jack was transferred to the area with the Boy Scouts of America.  Jacked retired from this organization after 26 years.  The Holman’s liked Minden so much; they decided to call Minden their home.

Recently the College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Missouri, chose Jack to return to Pearl Harbor with four other veterans and share memories of the war with ten college students.  The tour lasted eleven days; Jack commented “What a tour!”  Holman was also honored, to be part of group of Louisiana WWII Veterans that were treated to a day trip to Washington with the “Louisiana Honor Air” program. 

Don’t miss your chance to hear about some amazing adventures. 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.

The Bayou Questers Visit Museum In 2012

Members of the Bayou Questers visited the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum on Thursday January 12, 2012.

The Questers is an international study club which was founded in 1944 by Jessie Elizabeth Bardens. Its major objectives are to stimulate an appreciation of antiques and their collection; and to encourage the preservation and restoration of existing historical landmarks. The motivating principles of the organization are to be found in the following words from Mrs. Bardens:

"Antiques are part of human history, a tangible record of the things of everyday living. A fascinating hobby, the study of antiques gives the most pleasure to those who strive to learn all they can about where, when, why and how they were made. Through discovery and knowledge of antiques, we may bring the past to life and profit by the experiences of previous generations."

Lakeside High School National Honor Society Visits Museum

About 35  members of the National Honor Society from Lakeside High School in Sibley, Louisiana visited the Dorcheat Museum on Thursday, December 8th, 2011.  The group had never been to the museum so their visit was a real treat for the students as well as the museum director.  Many didn't know that Sibley once had a different name of Lanesville.

Christmas Time At The Museum

A Glimpse of Christmas Past is the theme for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum from now until the end of the 2011 year.  Museum director Schelley Francis is encouraging everyone to come by the museum at 116 Pearl Street and take a peek at what Christmas was like over 100 years ago in Minden. 

The museum is showcasing a collection of antique Christmas cards that date from 1910-1912 that were mailed to or from a Minden family.  The O’Bier Cabin is decked out in pioneer style for the holidays with a tree and red & white quilts.  Don’t miss taking a look at what the winter of 1892 was like in Minden with the special Minden Postcard exhibit. 

Don’t forget the museum has a gift shop with some great local history gifts, cookbooks, prints and DVDs.  Plus shipping and gift wrapping is available for your items. 

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will be hosting the Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” on Tuesday, December 13^th, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. at 116 Pearl Street in Minden.  The theme of the evening is also “A Glimpse of Christmas Past”.  So don’t miss your chance to see the museum during Christmas.   The museum is free admission and free guided tours. 

Museum To Host Chamber After Hours In December

Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc.

 Welcomes you to a “Glimpse of Christmas Past”

 “Chamber After Hours”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From The

Dorcheat Historical Museum

116 Pearl Street

Minden, Louisiana

Tuesday, December 13^th, 2011

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

 See Our History On Display & Get In The Holiday Spirit

 Great Door Prizes

Please sign up for our email blast at

www.museuminminden.blogspot.com