Postsite — Rebel State Historic Site and the Louisiana Country Music Museum

Rebel State Historic Site and the Louisiana Country Music Museum are located near the small town of Marthaville in northwest Louisiana. The site is canopied with pine trees. As we arrived we could see the museum and the pavilion. The markers for the Unknown Confederate Soldier is not as easily seen. It is located to the side of the museum behind thee pavilion. Ms. Stacy Cates provided our group with an exceptional tour of the museum and readily answered oyr questions. We also viewed the documentary on the site which was well done. After the tour of the museum we walked outside and got an up-close look at the markers for the Unknown Confederate Soldier. There are several including flat slabs with quotes or poems and they have been donated by a variety of individuals, families, and groups. We could also view the pavilion from the  site of the marker. We declined the natural walk due to the cold temperatures.

Mission

The mission of the site is to protect and preserve the grave of the Unknown Confederate Soldier, and to preserve and present the history of country in Louisiana.

There were not any other visitors on site during our visit.

5 positive aspects

1.) The interpretive park ranger, Ms. Stacy Cates, was well informed and engaging during our tour. She also informed us of up coming events such as the Christmas light display and the Easter sunrise Service as well as weekly events such as karioke and line dancing lessons.

Concerns and recommendations

There is not a plan to extend the timeline presented in the museum to include more contemporary styles and artists of country music. Budget cuts are also a concern for all of Louisiana’s sites, parks, and museums.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

Great!

Presite — Rebel State Historic Site and the Louisiana Country Music Museum

Resources Consulted

CRT/Office of State Parks. Rebel State Historic Site. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/irebel.aspx (accessed December 3, 2009).

Dutton, Frank. Rebel State Historic Site. ToledoBend.com. http://www.toledo-bend.com/attractions/ index.asp?request=rebel (accessed December 3, 2009).

Louisiana Office of State Parks. 66570 State Parks Book. http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ pdffiles/1-5.pdf (accessed December 8, 2009).

Location

1260 Hwy. 1221, Marthaville, LA 71450

Owner/manager

Louisiana Office of State Parks

Site Description

A marker stands on the site in commemoration of an Unknown Confederate Soldier that was killed by Union soldiers during the Civil War and then buried on that spot as well as the Louisiana Country Music Museum. The site also has a pavilion, a picnic area, and an amphitheater.

Ease of Finding Information

The websites were easy to find.

Quality/Quantity of Information

Although the information appears to be of good quality, all of the information on the web sites is the same.

Visitors Expectations based on Available Information

Visitors expect to find a marked grave, a museum, and recreational facilities at the park.

Postsite — Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and the Northwest Louisiana Regional Archaeology Office

Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and the Northwest Louisiana Regional Archaeology Program

Ms. Karen Kirkpatrick, the hatchery manager, greeted us upon our arrival. We then proceeded to the Education building and Ms. Kirkpatrick gave us a presentation about the history of the hatchery and its activities today. She discussed the early occupation of the Caddo to this site and explained what the hatchery and its friends group F.I.S.H. have been doing to educate the public about the culture and presence of the Caddo.

Mr. Jeff Girard showed us a presentation and discussed prior excavation on the property of a Caddo village. At the site he showed us where some of those excavations were located.

Mission

The mission of the fish hatchery is to produce fish to replenish our waterways as well as protect endangered species. An additional mission of the fish hatchery is to educate the public about the culture of the Caddo.

There were not any other visitors to talk with during our visit.

5 positive aspects

1.) The Fish Hatchery serves a very important role in supplying oyr waterways with fish and appear to be doing a good job it.

2.)The Fish Hatchery and friends group are concerned with educating the public about both missions.

3.) A Memorial plaza has been erected for the Caddo.

4.) A protected burial ground has also been established for the Caddo.

5.) The Fish Hatchery actively consults with the Caddo tribe.

Concerns and recommendations

My greatest concern is whether the effort will continue when Ms. Kirkpatrick retires. The new manager needs a background not only in the biological and other science based areas but also a background in cultural resources. If not then a cultural resource manager also needs to be hired. The Caddo occupied this land long before the Americans, and their stories need to be told and they need a designated sacred space. I hope the new manager understands the need for such actions.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

Great!

Presite — Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and the Northwest Louisiana Regional Archaeology Office

Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery

Resources Consulted

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery, http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/.

Oh Ranger.com, Natchitoches national Fish Hatchery, http://www.ohranger.com/natchitoches-natl-fish-hatchery.

Louisiana Official Travel and Tourism Information, Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, http://www.louisianatravel.com/natchitoches-national-fish-hatchery-aquarium.

Location

615 South Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71457

Owner/manager

Karen Kirkpatrick, Hatchery Manager

Phone: (318)352 5324
Fax: (318)352 8082
Email: karen_kilpatrick@fws.gov

Site Description

The site of the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery includes an aquarium with local varieties of fish, numerous ponds for breeding fish, and an education center.

Ease of Finding Information

It was easy to find the webpage for the site.

Quality/Quantity of Available Information

The official website provided a wealth of information but the others not too much and what they provided was taken from the official website.

Visitors Expectations Based on Available Information

Visitors expect to be able to view an aquarium and ponds.

Northwest Louisiana Regional Archaeology Program

Resources Consulted

Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, Louisiana Regional and Station Archaeologists, http://www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology/regarch/regarch.htm.

Northwestern State University, School of Social Science, Regional Archaeology Program http://socialsciences.nsula.edu/regional-archaeology-program/.

Location

Natchitoches, Louisiana, Northwestern State University, Kyser Hall, Room 135

Owner/manager

Jeff Girard

Site Description

Although Jeff Girard has an office within Kyser Hall, most of his investigative work is conducted in the field and with consulting the public.

Ease of Finding Information

The CRT website was a little hard to find because you have to click on the link on the Division of Archaeology page. The link provided on the regional and station archaeologists page for the Northwest Regional office is broken. Instead, I located the link through Google.

Quality/Quantity of Available Information

Not much information available.

Visitors Expectations Based on Available Information

Not sure.

Postsite — Fort Jesup State Historic Site

The Fort Jesup State Historic Site is within a fenced in area that includes only a small portion of what was the actual fort. The office, museum, and gift shop are housed in the reconstructed Officer’s Quarters. Some piers and piles of stones that were once piers can be seen giving an idea of how the buildings were constructed and their size.

Mission

The mission of the site is to preserve the site for its historic value for visitors of today and future generations to enjoy. The site educates the visitor about some aspects of fort life in the 1800s.

I did not speak with any other visitors during our visit.

Positive Aspects

1.) The Fort Jesup State Historic Site is being preserved by the state of Louisiana.

2.) The site continues to be open daily despite budget cuts.

3.) The interpretive ranger is always very nice.

4.) The site is very clean and well maintained.

5.) The park allows the university to use its grounds for classroom exercises.

Concerns and Recommendations

While visiting the site, the brick walkways were being replaced with stark white concrete walkways. The change is extremely dramatic and not aesthetically pleasing. Archaeological projects have been conducted on the site over the years and the signage depicting the size of some of the structures has been proven to be incorrect. The signage needs to be updated to reflect the findings of the investigations. The area encompassing the park is only a small portion of the actual fort. Perhaps new interpretive signage with maps can be designed and placed in the museum or on the grounds to show visitors the full extent of the fort. A lot of the fort is on private property and needs to be protected just as the portions included within the park.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

I would consider our visit great.

Pre-Site: Fort Jesup Historic State Park

Resources Consulted

Cane River Heritage Area. “Fort Jesup State Historic Site.” Available at http://www.caneriverheritage.org  /main_ file .php/fortjesup.php/.

Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. “Fort Jesup State Historic Site.” Available from http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iFtjesup.aspx.

Toledo Bend.com. “Fort Jesup State Historic Site,” Available from http://www.toledo-bend.com/attractions/index.asp?request=jesup.

National Park Service. Cane River Heritage Area. “Fort Jesup.” Available from http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/caneriver/for.htm.

National Park Service. National American Landmarks Program, “Fort Jesup,” Available from http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=262&ResourceType=Site.

Location

Fort Jesup State Historic Site is located approximately 23 miles southwest of Natchitoches, LA.

Available from http://maps.google.com/.

Owner/Manager

Fort Jesup State Historic Site is owned and maintained by the Louisiana Office of State parks under the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.

Site Description

The site contains a reconstructed Officer’s Quarters that houses the Office and Museum. A gift shop is also available. A restored kitchen said to be original to the time of the fort is also on the grounds and is open for inspection. The site has walk ways and a picnic area as well as some small ponds.

Ease of Finding Information

Finding information about Fort Jesup was extremely easy on the internet.

Quality/Quantity of Information

There were several sites that contained information on the site and the information provided appears to be of good quality.

Visitor Expectations based on Available Information

Visitors would expect to see the area that was once Fort Jesup which was occupied from the 1820s into the 1840s including some of the buildings. Interpretive rangers dressed in period clothing will give the tours.

Post-Site: Poverty Point, Camp Beauregard Louisiana Maneuvers Museum, White Sulphur Springs, Jena Band of Choctaw

Poverty Point

The Poverty Point State Historic Site is quiet and peaceful. The visitor center and museum is very informative and nicely set-up with lighted exhibit cabinets for the artifacts and a theater with a documentary on the Poverty Point site. The documentary is an excellent addition to the tour because the site is so large a visitor would never understand what they were looking at without the aerial shots of the site and the interpretation provided. The center of the site is a large flat green area. The six concentric rings wrap around this green area that is bordered on the east by a bayou. The bird mound (Mound A) is situated to the west.  Visiting this site was an amazing experience for me. I have lived in the state of Louisiana all my life but had never had the opportunity to visit the site. It may have been worth the wait, but I would have preferred that it had been my upteenth visit rather than my first.

Poverty Point State Historic Site available from http://www.crt.state.la.us/Parks/ipvertypt.aspx

Mission

The mission of this site is to preserve the remnants of a great past culture for future generations. Archaeological and geophysical excavations also continue on the site to maximize the information about this ancient civilization. The site is on the Tentative list for the World Heritage List.

Unfortunately, there were not any other visitors on site during our visit.

Positive Aspects

1.) The site is clean and well kept.

2.) We were openly welcome and encouraged to explore and ask questions.

3.) The tram was great, a 2-mile hike would not have been too bad, but being able to ride around the site was a nice treat.

4.) The dorms were nice and well equipped.

5.) Our guide, Mr. Cleon, was very informative and had no problem with answering our questions.

Concerns and Recommendations

Besides increasing budget cuts due to the state of the economy, a major concern for the site is erosion. Erosion is a natural process and it is hard to control especially near waterways.  If the site does become a World Heritage Site the increase in the number of visitors may cause damage to the site. If the site is honored as a World Heritage Site then the number of staff will have to increase to accommodate the number of visitors. Another problem is the swarms of mosquitoes. Check out the ones on Joe Evan’s jacket in the photo.  

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

Great!!! I recommend that everyone visit this site.

Camp Beauregard Louisiana Maneuvers Museum

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of exhibits and information housed in this museum. I found out a large amount of information about our state’s and nation’s military history that I had never heard before. I was extremely surprised to learn that German u-boats were in the Gulf of Mexico during WWII. The things your history teacher never told!!!

Mission

Clearly the museum’s mission is to convey as much information about our nation’s, and especially the state of Louisiana’s, military history.  The museum also records and conserves artifacts found at Camp Beauregard and others that have been donated.

Unfortunately, there were not any other visitors at the museum during our visit.

Positive Aspects

1.) Our tour was very informative.

2.) Exhibits were well done and informative.

3.) The facility is an old barracks that has been rehabilitated for use as the museum.

4.) The facility was clean.

5.) Some of the exhibits could be touched by the visitors.

Concerns and Recommendations

The main concern was the leak in the roof. Of course, it had been raining for many days before the leak sprang. The barracks have been rehabilitated to hold the museum and appear to be in good shape regardless of the leak. The attention that was given to the leak makes me feel like it was taken care of promptly.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

I had a great, educational experience.

White Sulphur Springs

The White Sulphur Springs site is located directly off the highway. It contains a gazebo situated over one of the springs and a picnic area. I do not recall there being any type of signage. The gazebo and spring was full of trash and had not been cleaned in quite some time. Mr. Courtney Cloy, a graduate student in the MAHR program at NSULA, is using the site as the focus of his thesis. He will be revising the state site form and acquiring the information needed to revise the National Register listing which currently shows the site to be located on the opposite side of the road. Mr. Cloy led us into the surrounding wooded area and showed us evidence of the previous occupation of the site from its spa days.

Mission

Due to its state of neglect, I am not sure if there is a mission for this site other than Mr. Cloy’s.

There were not any other visitors at the site.

Positive Aspects

1.) The gazebo has gave some protection to the site.

2.) The gazebo has also been a signal to the public that something worth preserving is there.

3.) Mr. Cloy is hoping that his research will bring interest and stewardship to the site.

4.) Picnic tables are available.

5.) A foot bridge spans the small creek which was rushing during our visit because of the heavy rainfall of the previous week.

Concerns and Recommendations

This site needs a lot of TLC. The gazebo and spring need to be cleared of trash. Interpretive signage needs to be provided so that people will understand the significance of the site. Of course, informing the public may bring in pot hunters.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

Good! If it had not been so wet, the visit may have been rates as great.

Jena Band of Choctaw

When we arrived at the Jena Band of Choctaw administration building, we were greeted by Miss Marie Richards, a graduate student in the MAHR program at NSULA.  Miss Richards worked with the Jena Band of Choctaw for her internship and they are the focus of her thesis project. Miss Richards talked some about the problems the tribe is having with trying to receive national recognition. She then walked us around the facility and showed us some of the display cases which held numerous projectile points and other artifacts. Unfortunately, there were not any tribe members present that could speak with us.

Mission

The mission of the Jena band of Choctaw is to preserve their culture and to receive national recognition do that they can better serve their people.

There were not any other visitors on site when we visited.

Positive Aspects

1. ) The Jena Band of Choctaw are working to acheive national recognition.

2.) The tribe plans to build a cultural center and museum.

3.) The tribe has a health education program for its people.

4.) The building was clean and appeared to be well maintained.

5.) The Jena band of Choctaw were nice enough to allow us to visit. Thank You!

Concerns and Recommendations

I recommend that the tribe fight for their recognition and not to give up.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

I rate this experience as good. I believe that if a tribal member had been able to meet with us the experience would have been great.

PreSite–Poverty Point, Camp Beauregard Louisiana Maneuvers Museum, White Sulphur Springs, & Jena Choctaw

Our class will be traveling this weekend!!! Our first stop will be the Camp Beauregard Louisiana Maneuvers Museum, then on to White Sulphur Springs, next to Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, and our final destination is Poverty Point State Historic Site and National Monument. Our path is shown on the map below.

Map Key

A-NSU             B-Camp Beauregard Louisiana Manuevers Museum         C-White Sulphur Springs,

D-Jena Band of Choctaw Indians                               E-Poverty Point SHS

Poverty Point

Resources Consulted

Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, “Poverty Point State Historic Site,”  http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ipvertypt.aspx

State Parks.com, “Poverty Point State Park,” http://www.stateparks.com/poverty_point.html

“Indian Mounds of Northeast Louisiana: A Driving Trail Guide, ” Brochure. 2008. Prepared by and available from the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, Office of Cultural Development, PO BOX 44247, Baton Rouge, LA 70804,    (225) 342-8170     email: archaeology@crt.state.la.us Website: www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology

Poverty Point Earthworks, http://www.lpb.org/programs/povertypoint/pp_transcript.html

Webb, Clarence H.  1968  “The Extent and Content of Poverty Point Culture,” American Antiquity, 33(3):297-321).

Sassaman, Kenneth E. 2005   “Poverty Point as Structure, Event, Process.” Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 12 (4): 335-364.

Location

Poverty Point State Historic Site
6859 Highway 577, Pioneer, Louisiana 71266

Please see map above.

Owner/ Manager

Poverty Point State park is owned and Managed by the state of Louisiana.

318-926-5492 or 888-926-5492

Email: povertypoint@crt.state.la.us

Site Description

This Louisiana State Park located near Epps, Louisiana contains a Late Archaic mound complex with six concentric half rings.  This park contains a visitor center, an archaeology laboratory, and a dormitory.

Ease of Finding Information

Poverty Point is a well known site and lots of information is available about the site.

Quality/Quantity of Available Information

Mosat of the information I reviewed was accurate and very detailed and descriptive. However, one website http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/archaeol/la_pover2.htm states that Poverty Point is a World Heritage Site. While the site is on the tentative list, it has not been designated a World Heritage Site, Yet.

Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information

Based on the information reviewed, visitors would expect to find a site with a trail throughout the mound complex and a visitor center with exhibits of the artifacts found st the location over the years from excavations performed at the site.

The Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, Camp Beauregard , Pineville, LA

Resources Consulted

The Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum Web site: http://www.la.ngb.army.mil/dmh/immm.htm

Willis, Jack M. “Military Museum recalls WWII History.”  The Piney Woods     Journal. Available at http://www.thepineywoods.com/ MilitaryMusmMar06.htm.

Location

409 F Street, Camp Beauregard
Pineville, LA 71360

Owner/Manager

According to Willis:

Louisiana Army National Guard , Museum Administrator  1st Lieutenant Richard Moran,    Museum Archives Director Richard Holloway

Site Description

The museum is housed in a replica World War II barracks on the Camp Beauregard base.

Ease of Finding Information

The IMMM website was easy to find, just typed in “Camp Beauregard Museum.”

Quality/Quantity of Information

I found that the quality and quantity of informarion for this site is poor. The links for IMMM website are broken and needs updating. The Willis article shares more information.

Visitor Expectations based on Available Information

I suppose that the barracks will have exhibits displaying uniforms and equipment from different war periods.

White Suplhur Springs

Resources Consulted

Willis, Jack  “Sulphur Springs was famous resort: Pre-Civil War discovery in Catahoula parish frequented by Bowies, others,” http://www.thepineywoods.com/sulphur.htm.

Location

LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, 11 miles east of Pollock on State Highway 8

See map above

Owner/ Manager

Site Description

Whit Sulphur Springs was once a bustling resort town whose fame came from the sulphuric water that bubbled up on it. Besides the two springs, Jack Willis states that the only thing left today is a gazebo.

Ease of Finding Information

The Jack Willis site was the first found through a google search.

Quality/Quantity of Available Information

Only one article was found and the author is a journal correspondent for The Piney Woods. He does not cite his information so I do not know how correct it may or may not be.

Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information

Visitors will expect to find an unimproved landscape with a gazebo and two sulphur springs.

Jena Band of Choctaw

Resources Consulted

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Website, http://www.jenachoctaw.org/

Location

1052 Chinaha Hina St

Trout, LA 71371

See Map Above

Owner/ Manager

Chief, Christine Norris

(318) 992-2717

Site Description

The site contains an administrative building.

Ease of Finding Information

The tribe website was easy to find.

Quality/Quantity of Available Information

Not much information is available about the Jena Band of Choctaw. The website is only for administrative and health purposes. It does not provide much information about the tribe or its history.

Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information

Visitors are welcome at the administrative building.

PostSite Magnolia Plantation

The Magnolia Plantation outbuildings are owned and maintained by the Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) (National Park Service).  The buildings on the site include the store, 8 brick slave quarters, a pigeonier, the blacksmith shop, the overseers house, and the cotton gin barn. Mr. Dusty Fuqua, the museum technician for the CARI curation facility, served as our tour guide. After a quick tour of the store and overseers house, Mr. Fuqua pointed out several other features on the landscape such as the livestock vat and the fence line. Both of the features will soon be restored to the 1960’s era which is the period of interpretation at the park. We then broke into our previous Podcast and video groups from our tour of the CARI curation facility in an attempt to complete our projects.

Mission

The mission of CARI is to maintain and interpret the site as it was at the end of the sharecropping era which is unique because most plantations are interpretted for its antebellum days.

We did have the opportunity to greet a small group of visitors who seemed to be enjoying the site. They were able to see the inside of the store and the overseers house because Mr. Fuqua was on site. Usually, the site is only open for self guided tours during the week and the buildings are closed up.

Positive Aspects

1.) The structures on the site are being preserved.

2.) The site gives visitors a look at a plantation in the 1960s.

3.) The store is slowly being filled with period replicas so that visitors will be able to see the types and brands of items available in rural stores at that time.

4.) The overseers house will be used for additional exhibits about life on the plantation.

5.) We learned additional pod-cast editing skills from Mr. Jeff Guin.

Concerns and Recommendations

Due to the large amounts of rain that had fallen in the days before our visit, the ground was saturated and water was standing in several locations making it hard to get around the park. While I do believe that paved walkways would not be appropriate for this location, perhaps the walkways can be filled in or raised??? An interpretive ranger is only available for tours on the weekends. The weekday visitors deserve the same experience.

Experience rating (Poor, Fair, Good, Great, or Excellent)

I rate this experience as good. It would have great to be able to finish our tour.

PreSite–Magnolia Plantation

Resources Consulted

http://www.nps.gov/cari/index.htm

http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/magnolia.php/63/

http://travel.webshots.com/album/560748795KkMoJm

Location

Magnolia Plantation

5549 Highway 119

Derry, LA 71416

Owner/manager

National Park Service

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Superintendent: Ms. Laura Gates

Site Description

The Magnolia Plantation is an unit of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Several buildings including a blacksmith shop, pigeoneer, cotton press, barn, store, overseers house, and former slave quarters remain on the grounds. The main house is not included in the park; the family still owns the home.

Ease of Finding Information

The information was readily available on the internet.

Quality/Quantity of Information

The information was from credible sources including the NPS and the Cane River heritage Heritage. Both resources reported valuable information.

Visitor Expectations based on Available Information

A visitor will expect to find the remnants of a working plantation. The plantation is interpreted as it was during the tenant farming era.