I have been attempting to convene to my heritage resources students the impact Mr. Bobby had on the preservation community not only in Natchitoches but in the state and across the South. I fear I don't have the words to do him justice. But simply put, Natchitoches would be such a different place without his influence and hard work. From the creation of the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District to the establishment of the Cane River National Heritage Area and the many, many other proje… Continue

(from Hometown Heritage column in Natchitoches Times)

Not too long ago, I was chatting with a group of young people visiting Natchitoches. Although they hailed from points across the U.S., several had been here previously and were scheming to find ways to come back for an extended period.


“What is it,” they asked “about this little town in the middle of nowhere? I never intended to come back. It’s like it has its own gravity well.”


I laughed. “Don't ask me. I was born here. I'm part of the… Continue

It's been a while since I've mentioned the Natchitoches Preservation Network (NPN) website. And since it was the initial inspiration for this column nearly two years ago, this seems like a good time to provide an update on the site's activities and resources.

The site supports those involved in the "doing" of heritage preservation in the Cane River region. Its goal is to help people realize that the cause of heritage belongs to all of us and that it's easier than ever to explore their heritage… Continue

It is important when restoring an historic setting to retain as much of the original context as possible. Sometimes you even have to go with Artificial Trees and shrubs in order to make this possible. Maintaining strong Business Process Automation is also a necessary task. Every detail matters.
What ha… Continue

Natchitoches has its Walk of Honor for celebrities who have come to town, but what of the folks who have made a lasting impact on our community by actually living here? Shouldn't they be recognized in some kind of permanent, meaningful way? I'd like to see that someday. In the meantime, I'm happy to say that one such person will soon be memorialized for her pioneering role in the medical field.

Dr. Eleanor Mendell Worsley was the personal physician for six generations of families in Natchitoche… Continue