The newsletter provides information on upcoming events sponsored by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation (LTHP) including the annual Culture Connection conference in April and the LTHP annual conference in May. It discusses progress on relocating buildings from the St. James Historical Museum to a new site. It also summarizes recent rambles held in locations like Oak Alley Plantation and Lafayette. Finally, it provides brief updates on historic sites around Louisiana being added to the National Register of Historic Places or receiving preservation awards.

1. SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTER
w w w . L t h p . o r g
Letter from the President
Michael Echols
President
Officers:
Michael Echols
President • Monroe, LA
Richard Gibbs
Vice President • New Roads, LA
Dan Seymour, PhD
Secretary • Natchitoches, LA
David Broussard
Treasurer • Baton Rouge, LA
Board Members:
Sonya LaComb-Boudreaux • Lafayette, LA
W. Lane Callaway • Shreveport, LA
Delbert W. Chumley • Shreveport, LA
Charlotte Lowry Collins • Slidell, LA
John Denison • Monroe, LA
Paricia Duncan • Baton Rouge, LA
Darryl Gissel • Baton Rouge, LA
Kristine Hebert • Plaquemine, LA
Dr. Gary Joiner, PhD • Shreveport, LA
Gregory Jones • Pineville, LA
Sand Marmillion • Vacherie, LA
Donna Richard • Lake Charles, LA
Melanie Ricketts • Hammond, LA
Matt Young • Lake Charles, LA
Staff
Sherry McInnis
Ex-Officio Officers:
Phil Boggan
Deputy Assistant Secretary
DCRT Office of Cultural Development
Nicole Hobson Morris
Executive Director
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation
DCRT Office of Cultural Development
Ray W. Scriber
Director, Louisiana Main Street
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation
DCRT Office of Cultural Development
James Logan
National Trust Advisor
Jean Sayres
National Trust Advisor
Winnie Byrd
Advisor Emeritus
Sue Turner
Advisor Emeritus
Board of Directors
Dear Preservation Partners,
The spring is nearly here which means the legislative session is about to begin and
the 2015 Culture Connection will be in full swing April 14-15. Culture Connection
is sponsored by the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Office of Cultural
Development, in partnership with the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, the
Louisiana State Arts Council, the Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities
Commission, the Louisiana Folk Life Commission and the Council for the
Development of French in Louisiana. You will not want to miss the 2015 Louisiana
Culture Awards Ceremony on Tuesday evening. We have a full afternoon scheduled
on Wednesday so that we can meet with the legislators for the purpose of advocacy.
To view the agenda and register for Culture Connection go to www.lthp.org.
The LTHP Annual Conference in Lake Charles is right around the corner. We
hope that you will join us May 13 and 14th as we visit Southwest Louisiana. The
Preservation Success Stories and Most Endangered Properties lists are being built
for the 2015 year and will be presented at our LA Annual Preservation Conference.
Please send your submissions of those properties that are on the trouble list and
any stories of success across the state that you feel are important to recognize. You
can contact our office at 504-256-0912 for more information on how to nominate
a property. The deadline for the nomination forms have been extended to Friday,
April 10, 2015.
As always, if you have properties you would like to donate or put back in
commerce, let the Trust know. We will work with you on the property to find
someone to put the project in motion through our Revolving Fund campaign
If you have not yet renewed your membership with the Trust, please consider your
contribution. Over one-third of our support comes in the form of membership.
Renew online at www.lthp.org.
Thank you for your continuous support of the LTHP. Your membership and
financial contributions are more important than ever.
My best,
Michael Echols
President, LTHP
My best,
Michael Echols

2. 2 3
2014 River Road Ramble
On December 13, 2014 Ramblers came from all over the state to ramble on the historical Great River Road
featuring Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation and Whitney Plantation Museum of Slavery and Grounds.
Three wonderfully diverse plantations were toured from Oak Alley, the Mississippi River Antebellum Plantation
to Laura Plantation, the typical Creole sugarcane farm, to Whitney Plantation. In 2014, The Whitney Plantation
Museum of Slavery and Grounds opened its doors to the public for the first time in its 262 year history as the only
plantation museum in Louisiana with a focus on slavery. The River Road Ramble was chaired by Sand Marmillion.
Ramblers view famous historical Oak
Alley.
Roxana Usner, Sonya LaComb-Boudreaux, Anissa
Talley; Lafayette.
Whitney Plantation Museum of Slavery Chapel
with life size slavery children sculptures.
JohnCummings,ownerofWhitneyPlantation
MuseumofSlavery,transportsBatonRougeRamblers.Laura Plantation Dining Room.
Whitney Plantation Museum of SlaveryWall of
Honor (facing Lt. to Rt.) Nona McInnis, Cathy Healey,
Carolyn Selig, and Janet Rhorer: Baton Rouge.
River Road Chairman, Sand Marmillion, owner
Laura Plantation.
Left to right: John Denison, Monroe;
Sue Turner, Baton Rouge; Jon
Emerson, Baton Rouge.
Tour Guide Joseph with Ramblers at Laura
Plantation.
Attendance record of five Rambles in
a row for Ramblers Renee and Paul
Major, Livonia.
Left to right: Donna Richard, Lake Charles;
ValerieTaylor, Shreveport, in Oak Alley Plantation
with tour guide and other Ramblers.

3. 4 5
2015 Lafayette Ramble
AND then onto Lafayette Feb. 28, 2015.
The Ramblers experienced French Creole hospitality as they celebrated the culture and cuisine of the historic
town of Vermilionville (now called Lafayette) on February 28, 2015. The Les Vingts-Quatre welcomed the
guests with a lovely reception, premier Les Vingts-Quatre video, and tour of the Aleanndre Mouton House.
The William Brandt House, home of Henry and Sonya LaComb-Boudreaux, chairman of the Lafayette
Ramble, was the setting of a specially prepared gourmet luncheon.
Les Vingts-Quatre Reception at the
Alexandre Mouton House tour.
Renee Major, Livonia; Randy Harelson,
New Roads; Paul Major, Livonia.
Dr. Michael Martin, Lecturer; The
Center of Louisiana Studies.
Allison and Peter Dehart producer
of the Premier Les Vingts-Quatre
video, Lafayette.
Left to right: Carol Trosclair, Cheryl LeBlanc,
Kathleen Williams, Lafayette.
Left to right: Roxana Usner, Preservation
Alliance Lafayette in cooperation with the LA
Trust Lafayette Ramble,Winnie Byrd, LATrust
Adviser, Baton Rouge; AnneWeller,Wakefield.
Left to right: Ann Marie Hightower (Chairman of
Tours), Louise Ganucheau (President, LesVingts-
Quatre),Yvonne Billeaud, Cathy Gerami, Deanie
Chesson, Ellin Busch (in back), Fran Kellner,
Gail DeHart (President, Lafayette Museum
Association), Connie Guthrey, Ramona Mouton,
Susan Stephan. Also attending, but not in the
photo was JoLynn Cole.
Richard Gibbs, LTHP Board Member, New Roads;
and JoLynn Coles Les Vingts-Quatre Member.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Museum (Lt.
to Rt.) Jan McNeal, tour guide; Mike Cafferty, New
Orleans; Kristine Hebert, LTHP Board
Member, Plaquemine; Theresa Wood,
Lafayette; Marcia Fontenot, Lafayette.
Michael Echols, LTHP President, Monroe; Dr. Dan
Seymour, LTHP Board Member, Natchitoches.

4. 6 7
St. James Historical Museum Relocation Project
St. James Historical Museum
In recent months a significant amount of progress has been made in the plans to relocate the St. James Historical
Museum in Lutcher, LA to the St. James Parish Welcome Center in Gramercy, LA. This move will save & protect the
endangered collection of artifacts & buildings that the St. James Historical Society has amassed in recent decades.
Additionally, the move to the Welcome Center will enhance the site by adding a valuable archive of the cultural heritage
of St. James Parish. The following are highlights of several planning sessions by members of the St. James Historical
Society, Representatives of St. James Parish, Board Members of the LTHP & Concerned Citizens from St. James Parish:
1. Clifton Theriot, Archivist & Librarian from Nicholls State University
accepted the works on paper and other ephemera into the NSU collection.
Members of the SJHS agreed to donate the items to ensure their safe-
keeping in a controlled environment. A small committee assisted Clifton
with packing and moving the collection to Nicholls, where it now resides.
The collection will be cataloged, indexed & be made available to the
public for research. The museum can copy & display these items, while
the originals are kept at the NSU library.
2. Timmy Roussel, St. James Parish President, & his staff, along with
Representative Ed Price, secured $110,000.00 in funding for this project.
This money is earmarked for relocation of the College Point Pharmacy
and the Paulina Post Office. A committee has been formed to seek
matching funds to complete the upgrade the buildings. This will include
a sprinkler system, HVAC system with moisture control, new displays
and signage, as well as new electrical/lighting.
3. Joe Samrow, President of SJHS, secured storage at a local facility to house
the collection while buildings are moved & restored. Packing of the items
in the museum has begun and Mr. Samrow will have assistance from
inmates at the St. James Correctional Facility to move items into storage.
Also, Mr. Samrow completed the re-instatement of the non-profit status
for the St. James Historical Society.
4. The locomotive and large cypress tree trunk were moved by St. James Parish
workers to the new site. The shoe shop has been removed by the family that
originally donated it. (This building was not to be moved to the new site.)
5. Blaise Gravois, engineer for St. James Parish, has signed a contract with
Orleans Shoring to move the buildings. Mr. Gravois has drawn up site
plans for the placement of the buildings at the Welcome Center.
2015 Lafayette Ramble Continued
Baton Rouge friends Carolyn
Selig, Janet Rhorer, Winnie Byrd,
Sue Turner, and Ann Weller,
Wakefield, in front ofthe William
Brandt House.
Henry Boudreaux and Sonya
LaComb-Boudreaux, hosting
the Lafayette Ramble luncheon
in their historic William Brandt
House.
Ramblers gather at Vermilionville Cajun Jam. Sand Marmillion and Mary Anderson,Vacherie; atVermilion.
Ramblers enjoying Luncheon at the William
Brandt House.

5. 8 9
Named to National Register of Historic Places
New Orleans’ Edgewood Park
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated African House
as a National Treasure. Built in the 1820s, this unique structure represents
an important part of the history of Melrose Plantation. The National Trust
is actively working with the Association for the Preservation of Historic
Natchitoches to restore the building and to tell its story to a wider audience.
The Murals of Clementine Hunter exhibit opens at the Louisiana Sports Hall
of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum - After almost a year of
restoration work, nine murals depicting scenes from early 20th century life
at Melrose Plantation will be unveiled in a new exhibition along with other
works by Hunter including some that have never been exhibited. (The murals will be on exhibit at this location until
restoration of African House is completed).
Main Content [ Release date: OCTOBER 20, 2014 | Release Number: R6-14-057 ]
DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Louisiana State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) are pleased to announce the new listing of New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Historic District to the National
Register of Historic Places. The listing, approved by the National Park Service in late September, marks a major milestone for the
community and those involved in the nomination process.
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, FEMA surveyed the city of New Orleans to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act which requires FEMA to consider the effects of its program grants on historic properties.
During the process, FEMA collaborated with community members, preservation organizations and the State Historic Preservation
Officer to document the richness and cultural heritage of the city. In doing so, it became clear that many neighborhoods and districts
might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. In order to be considered, a property’s significance and integrity are
reviewed and evaluated.
During the survey, FEMA identified Edgewood Park as a notable historic neighborhood that clearly met many of the eligibility
requirements for consideration. The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requested that FEMA officially nominate
Edgewood Park to the National Register as one of the mitigation measures specified in the Hazard Mitigation Programmatic
Agreement as a public benefit to the neighborhood, the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.
FEMA conducted extensive research and documentation over several years utilizing a team of historic preservation specialists and
historic architects. SHPO provided feedback and input and a final nomination document was prepared and submitted in July 2014 to
the state’s national Register Review Committee.
Developed in 1909, Edgewood Park appealed to residents due to its streetcar accessibility, bucolic nature, high natural elevation, new
drainage systems, cement sidewalks and a short commute to downtown New Orleans.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some buildings in the southern end had floodwaters up to the eaves but the neighborhood, now
nine years later, has recovered and retained its historical integrity. Today, Edgewood Park features many early to mid-20th century
architectural styles.
“Edgewood Park’s official designation on the National Register of Historic Places is first and foremost, honorary, and it is a great
privilege to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Jessica G. Richardson, National Register Coordinator for the
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. “Additionally, there are benefits associated with listing on the National Register including
eligibility for certain Federal and State tax incentives, a Restoration Tax Abatement Program, and the ability to apply for grants when
they are available,” continued Richardson. “Edgewood Park’s listing on the National Register does not restrict the use of a property.”
FEMA continues to collaborate with local and state officials, community members and preservations groups to ensure that all
revitalization projects comply with federal and state laws by exploring ways to avoid, minimize and offset any negative effects to
properties listed on the National Register.
Designated a National Treasure
African House
Restoration work on the Clementine Hunter African House murals has been
taking place in Houston, Texas for the past nine months. APHN has been
blessed that through the generosity of Theodosia Murphy Nolan and the
Nolan Family Foundation, the cost of restoration has been underwritten.
The murals are now being returned to them and the nine panels by
Clementine Hunter will be housed for a year at the new Louisiana Sports
Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in downtown
Natchitoches. Simultaneously, during that time, at Melrose the African
House roof , which is in desperate need of repair, will be under restoration.
Last week a charette was conducted with APHN, the National Park Service,
the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, and other
technical groups from across the southern states to determine the best plan of work to repair the African House roof.
To thank the Nolans, the APHN hosted an evening to celebrate the return of the murals to Natchitoches on Saturday,
March 21, 2015. This is a fund raiser to help pay for the African House restoration project that has
just begun.
Clementine Hunter African House murals
Homecoming Fete
Clementine Hunter at the African
House, Melrose Plantation

6. 10
NEWS BRIEFS
East Feliciana Courthouse
The National Preservation Honor Award was one of seven
awarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
to East Feliciana Courthouse at their annual conference in
Savannah,
GA this past
November.
The East
Feliciana Parish
Courthouse
rehabilitation
exemplifies
how a small
community can
rally together
to save a local
icon. As the oldest, still functioning parish courthouse in
Louisiana, this Greek Revival structure has been a point of
community pride since it was built in 1840. The courthouse
needed extensive exterior work and interior remedial
construction to correct prior work that was contributing to
the structure’s deterioration. The local community banded
together to create a non-profit, Our Courthouse LLC, to raise
almost $3 million to rescue the endangered National Historic
Landmark. These funds allowed the community to update
the building for modern use while carefully documenting,
retaining, and conserving the original building’s historic fabric
and features. Photo Courtesy of Timothy Dunford.
HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence
The NTHP also presented the HUD Secretary’s Award for
Excellence to Redmellon Restoration Development, a mission
driven development company based in New Orleans in
recognition for the team’s work on the Iberville Offsites
project. Forty six blighted historic houses were restored for
affordable low-income home-owners in Treme’ according to
the Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation.
The Benefit to Save the Murals
The Friends of New Orleans Lakefront Airport sponsored The
Benefit to Save the Murals last month. Xavier Gonzalez, the
Spanish American artist, painted the aviation themed murals
in 1934 to celebrate the newly opened Lakefront Airport
using an ancient technique called marouflage. The Lakefront
Airport terminal building was renovated in 1964 and in the
process the buildings’ Art Deco features including Gonzalez’
murals were covered over. Most of the art deco ornamentation
in the 2012 restoration was uncovered and restored, but not
the paintings which required major work. Restoration efforts
for the seven existing paintings, with plans to eventually
recreate the eighth mural is the ongoing mission of The Save
the Murals .
Viking River Cruises Coming to West Feliciana!
The West Feliciana Parish President, Kevin Couhig,
announced last month that West Feliciana Parish will be a
featured itinerary stop on a new Viking River Cruise which
is Viking’s first North American line for the company. It is
expected to become operative in March 2017. The ships will
depart from New Orleans and end each course, depending on
the season, in Memphis,TN; St. Louis , MO; or St. Paul , MN.
The primary terminal selected in the home port will be
Bienville Street Wharf at Woldenberg Park . Partnering with
the City of New Orleans, the Port of New Orleans, New
(continued on next page)
11
Orleans Steamboat Company and the Audubon Nature
Institute, Viking will be making major improvements.
West Feliciana Parish must provide an additional point of
embarkation and will need to purchase property suitable as a
port, a transaction which will require an ordinance from the
Council.
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
The LA Trust was hosted by the SoFAB Museum,New Orleans,
on Jan 10, 2015 for the first quarterly board meeting. Liz
Williams, President and Director, gave a tour and brief history
of the Oretha C. Haley Blvd. and SoFAB, now home at the
former Dryades Market. In addition Main Street Manager
Linda Pompa gave a brief history of Oretha C. Haley Blvd.
and the work of the Mainstreet program. Later that afternoon,
Michael Echols, LTHP President, hosted a wine and cheese
at the Pontalba Apartments on Jackson Square in the French
Quarter.
Call for Nominations
Most Endangered Historic Places within Louisiana
for Calendar Year 2014
Preservation / Repurposed Success Stories within
Louisiana for Calendar Year 2014
Call for Nominations
Nomination Submission Extended Deadline:
Friday, April 10, 2015
nomination forms available www.lthp.org
Grant Information
National Park Service Historic Preservation
Grant Application Now Available
Applications for the Division of Historic Preser-
vation’s 2015-2016 Historic Preservation Fund
Grants are now available.
Please visit www.lthp.org
East Feliciana Courthouse
(continued from previous page)
NEWS BRIEFS
Correction
Correction for Fall 2014 Newsletter:
Representative James “Jim” Fannin’s name was
misspelled on page 2 of the 2014 Fall issue of the
Newsletter as an Honoree of the VIP Preservation
Reception with Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne hosted
by the LTHP.

7. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
LOUISIANA LEGACY SOCIETY:
Preservationist $250.00
Landmark Donor $500.00
Heritage Contributor $1,000.00
Presidential Circle $3,000.00
Presidential Trust $5,000.00
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP:
Individual $35.00
Family/Double $50.00
Supporting $100.00
Non-Profit $25.00
Name:______________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________
City:_______________________State:______Zip:___________
Phone:_____________________Fax:_____________________
Email:______________________________________________
Membership Category:__________________@$____________
___Check* ___AmEx ___Mastercard ___Visa
I authorize the LTHP to charge the above card for the indicated
amount for annual membership dues.
Card #:______________________________________________
Exp. Date:__________________Verification ID:_____________
____________________________________________________
Print Cardholder Name
____________________________________________________
Cardholder Signature
For Estate Gifts, Property Donations, Trusts and
Endowments, call the LTHP office at 504-256-0912
For all credit card charges, please complete and sign below.
Payment Method:
*Make checks payable to the LA Trust for Historic Preservation
and mail to P.O. Box 1587 - Baton Rouge, LA 70821
SPRING2015NEWSLETTER
LOUISIANA
PRESERVATION ALLIANCE
P.O. Box 1587
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BATON ROUGE, LA
PERMIT NO. 775
Do you have
historic properties
that you would like to
sell or donate?
CONTACT US TODAY:
(504)256-0912
SAVE THE DATE
April 14-15, 2015 Culture Connection visit www.lthp.org
April 14, 2015 Culture Connection Preservation Awards
Ceremony
May 13, 2015 Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
Cruise on the Lake, Lake Charles
May 14, 2015 LA Annual Preservation Conference,
Lake Charles - hosted by The Louisiana
Trust for Historic Preservation
LA Division of Historic Preservation
Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society
May 14, 2015 Garden Soirée hosted by Donna and Rick
Richard at their home, Lake Charles
2015 Fall Ramble date and place to be announced...
latrusthistoricpreservation@gmail.com