Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association
Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter
Spring, 2001 LAMA News Annual Meeting to the position and asks complete the remaining The 2001 annual meeting that you send submis- year of Conerly's term will be held on Friday, No- sions to the newsletter to and Borders will com- vember 9, 2001 in the Wade her at New Orleans No- plete the two years re- O. Martin Jr. Auditorium of tarial Archives, 421 maining of Hankins' the Louisiana State Ar- Loyola Avenue, Room term. Two new board chives, located at 3851 Es- B-4, New Orleans, LA members will be elected sen Lane in Baton Rouge. 70112 or by email at for a three-year term at State Archivist, Dr. Florent bahnona@mindspring. the annual meeting. Hardy, Jr., will give the com. Hollis, who re- opening address and presen- ceived her MLIS at the In an effort to cut the tations will be given by University of Pittsburgh printing and postage Mary Hebert Price of the T. in 1997, has been the As- costs of the Newsletter, Harry Williams Center for sistant Archivist at the the board has agreed to Oral History at LSU, New Orleans Notarial trim the mailing list. In- Charles Chamberlain of the Archives for the past dividuals who have not Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane four years. paid dues in the past University and Bruce three years have been re- Turner, Head of Archives News from the Board of moved from the mem- and Special Collections, the Directors bership/mailing list University of Louisiana- Since the board meeting along with any individu- Lafayette. After the meet- held in Lafayette on 12 als or institutions whose Inside this issue: ing, an optional tour of the January 2001, two board mailings were returned Rural Life Museum is being members have resigned as undeliverable. Efforts their positions. Laura are being made to retain Southern Archives 2 offered for $3.50. Registra- Conference tion information will be Street Conerly resigned the names of institutions mailed out in October. for personal reasons in and organizations so that National News 3 Please make arrangements May and Rebecca one copy of the LAMA to attend the annual meet- Hankins resigned in Au- Newsletter may be Louisiana State 3 gust as she accepted a mailed to maintain con- Archives ing. job out of state. In order tact with those who are SAA 5 Hollis New Newsletter Edi- to retain some continuity members or who work tor board members, Carol for those institutions and Newly Acquired/ Buffie Hollis of the New Mathias and Florence organizations. 6 Processed Orleans Notarial Archives Borders whose terms are The board has discussed has assumed the duties of due to expire with the Exhibits 9 the creation of a bro- Newsletter Editor, vacated annual meeting have chure for out reach pur- by Patti Threatt. The board agreed to remain on the News from LAMA 11 board. Mathias will poses. It will contain in- Institutions of directors welcomes Hollis LAMA News (Continued) formation on LAMA and a membership applica- No members applied for the $250 LAMA scholarship tion. The brochure can be distributed to students prior to June 1, 2001 so the board extended the dead- in LSU's library school and at meetings and con- line until October 1, 2001. The scholarship money is ferences within the state with the goals of making intended to provide funding for continuing education more people aware of LAMA and increasing our and may be used within the next year. To apply send a membership. It is hoped that a brochure can be letter describing the continuing education event you created in time to be distributed at the Louisiana wish to attend, how it will enhance your work as an ar- Library Association meeting in March 2002. chivist and why you need outside funding to: Jean Kie- sel, LAMA Scholarship Committee Chair, Edith Gar- The LAMA Board of Directors met twice this land Dupré Library, University of Louisiana at Lafay- summer, on June eighth at Hill Memorial Library ette, P.O. Box 40199, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504. The and on August tenth at Middleton Library, both winner will be announced at LAMA's annual meeting. on the campus of the Louisiana State University. The winner will be expected to prepare an article for The main topics of discussion have been the the LAMA Newsletter describing the workshop, semi- Southern Archives Conference, the formation of nar, conference, etc., attended with the scholarship a southern regional organization and/or the ex- funds. pansion of the Southern Archives Conference and the LAMA annual meeting.
LAMA Scholarship Southern Archives Conference
There will not be a formal Southern Archives Presidents of the Southeastern Archival Associations Conference (SAC) in 2002, as the Society of during the Society of American Archivists annual American Archivists (SAA) will be meeting in meeting in Washington D.C. The meeting was held in Birmingham, Alabama in August of 2002. The an attempt to bring stronger unity and to share infor- Society of Alabama Archivists has suggested that mation and resources among the archival organizations SAC hold a business meeting and a reception on in the South (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, the Wednesday evening, August 21, 2002, before Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ten- the SAA meeting officially starts. The SAC nessee). In attendance at the meeting were: Tim meeting and reception will be held in the Bir- Pennycuff, President of the Society of Alabama Archi- mingham Public Library, an easy two-block walk vists; Diana Ruby-Sanderson, representing the Society from the SAA conference hotel. Two exhibits of North Carolina Archivists; Jill R. Severn represent- will be mounted at the library and will be open ing the Society of Georgia Archivists; Carol Bartels, for the SAC event; one will display snapshots of President of the Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Birmingham and the other vintage bookplates. Association, and Taylor. Discussion centered on the As more information becomes available to the states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina LAMA board on this and other SAC events, we joining the Southern Archives Conference and about will keep the membership posted. As yet, no the possible creation of a new Southern regional or- date has been set for a formal Southern Archives ganization. This first meeting showed a need for fur- Conference. ther discussion of the topic and hopefully more dia- logue between the states will be forth coming. Infor- A Southern Regional Organization mation on the Southern Archives Conference will be Dennis S. Taylor, President of the South Carolina sent to the other states for review. Archival Association, held a meeting of the
Page 2 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter National News
Library of Congress Documents Reactions to stations. This unique documentary collection is September 11, 2001, Tragedy for Posterity still housed at the American Folklife Center and The American Folklife Center at the Library of continues to be an invaluable aural resource. Congress has called upon folklorists across the na- tion to document on audio tape the thoughts and Sixty years later, in this time of national crisis feelings expressed by citizens following the tragic and mourning, the American Folklife Center at events of September 11, 2001. These recordings the Library of Congress has issued a call to the and supporting documentary materials will become folklore community to provide such a service to part of the Center’s Archive of Folk Culture, the the nation today through the “September 11, largest and most significant archives devoted to the 2001, Documentary Project.” The Center will folklore and traditional culture of Americans and collect and preserve the audio-taped interviews of the many cultural groups from around the world and supporting materials that present the personal that have enriched American life. Founded in experience stories of average Americans in the 1928, the Archive is now repository to over 2 mil- wake of the terrorist attack and to what many lion items. have called “an act of war.” What were they do- ing when they heard? How have their lives been With the “September 11, 2011, Documentary Pro- changed? These materials will be deposited in ject,” the American Folklife Center is building the Center’s Archive of Folk Culture, where they upon a unique precedent. On December 9, 1941, will be preserved for and made available to fu- renown folklorist Alan Lomax, who was serving as ture generations. To receive copies of interview the head of the Folk Archive, sent an urgent mes- release forms or for further information on the sage to folklorists around the United States to col- September 11, 2001, Documentary Project, lect “person on the street” reactions to the bombing please contact the American Folklife Center: of Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war by the (202) 707-5510; [email protected]. United States. Recordings were made in all parts of the country in which people expressed their im- The American Folklife Center was created by mediate reactions to this cataclysmic event. Inter- Congress in 1976 and placed at the Library of views were conducted with shoemakers, electri- Congress “to preserve and present American cians, janitors, oilmen, cab drivers, housewives, Folklife” through programs of research, docu- students, soldiers, and physicians. People of many mentation, archival presentation, reference ser- ethnic groups and ages are represented in these in- vice, live performance, exhibition, public pro- terviews expressing their opinions on the political, grams, and training. The Center includes the Ar- social, financial, and military aspects of the Pearl chive of Folk Culture, which was established in Harbor attack. 1928 and is now one of the largest collections of ethnographic material from the United States and These field recordings were sent to the Library of around the world. Congress where they were used to create a series of radio programs and distributed to schools and radio Louisiana State Archives
State Archives Celebrates 45th Anniversary its mission to inform the public of the importance of the preservation and accessibility of historical Louisiana State Archives celebrated its 45th Anni- documents, artifacts, and resources. Attended by versary during the week of July 9-13, recognizing Clerks of Court, historical buffs, genealogists, re-
Spring, 2001 Page 3 Louisiana State Archives (Cont.) searchers and patrons, the week's activities began with a welcome from Secretary of State Fox · Creation of Ships Registry Genealogical Data- McKeithen. Secretary McKeithen stressed the im- base for Internet portance of making individuals aware of the great · Presentation of Louisiana Cookbook Cavalcade impact history has on our daily lives and the Exhibition on Internet. This will include im- prominent role State Archives plays in this respect. ages of books on display, and possibly several An open house and a tour of the Archives by State videos of cooking events at Archives. Archivist and Director Dr. Florent Hardy, Jr. fol- · America 2000 media server will provide means lowed. to make many of the records in the State Ar- chives available to the people of the State par- Two presentations were made daily and topics ticularly teachers who can use these documents ranged from the preservation of Louisiana's heri- and photographs to enhance and improve the tage, its unique architecture and political history, content of their course offerings. scrapbook development, genealogical research, and · The State Archives has served as a Content document conservation. Also highlighted were Provider in the Louisiana State University Louisiana's role in the Civil War, as well as sponsored, multi-agency produced, Teaching women's role in the evolution of Louisiana govern- American History Grant Program application to ment. On exhibit during the celebration were inter- the United States Department of Education. Fo- nationally famous Louisiana artist, George Rodri- cus will be on the Huey Long Papers as well as gue's "Oak Trees, Cajuns and the Blue Dog" as issues relating to the Louisiana Purchase. well as the popular American Italian Exhibit. · Digitization of Old State Capitol/State Ar- chives film and video collections (300 hours) Conservation Lab for local viewing. · Thanks to the efforts of the New Orleans Birth The Conservation Lab at the Louisiana State Ar- Indices Volunteers, we have recently uploaded chives has been busy assisting Clerks of Court with the complete 1897, 1898, 1899 and the 1900 the care of their archival records. On August 23, New Orleans Birth Indices for access at the Ar- Conservator Doug Harrison delivered a presenta- chives Research Library. tion entitled "Proper Conservation Procedures for · Our most recent addition to the Secretary of Original Documents" to the Clerks of Court Insti- State web site is the Confederate Pensions Ap- tute in Baton Rouge. The lab is currently process- plications Index Database. ing colonial records from St. John Parish. The re- cords date from 1753 and continue through the end In the past few months we have had visitors and of the territorial period. Through the volunteer ef- researchers from the states of Washington, Califor- forts of Ms. Judy Riffel, an active member of the nia, Minnesota, Illinois, Arizona, Florida and the State Archives support group, Le Comité des Ar- District of Columbia as well as all of our bordering chives de la Louisiane, the records have been ar- states. ranged chronologically by the date of each instru- ment. Ms. Riffel hopes to begin a descriptive in- The Louisiana State Archives is free and open to ventory in the near future. The lab has also re- the public seven days a week. For further informa- cently restored a large property ownership map of tion, please call (225) 922-1000 or check out the St. John parish from 1908. The map was mounted Secretary of State's web page at
World Wide Web projects:
Page 4 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter Louisiana State Archives (Cont.)
The State Archives is currently preparing a Re- proper formal writing of a retention schedule. The cords Management Handbook to assist state and handbook will also be incorporated into the De- local agencies with their Records Management partment of State's official web site. Programs. The handbook will provide users with legal citations, references, a step-by-step strategy for developing a Records Management Program, a question and answer section, and information on how to inventory records series, the appraisal of records to determine retention value, and the
Society of American Archivists
The following article was received from the host ric of society. It is a place where people “hug your committee for the 2002 SAA Converence: neck” and ask how your mamma is doing, where they make eye contact and take the time to truly Birmingham in 2002 talk to you. Come to Birmingham and experience southern hospitality. In 1984, I accepted a job at the Alabama Depart- ment of Archives and History after working in Cin- Then there’s the food. Fill your plate with butter cinnati for seven years. At the time, I thought I beans, collard greens, turnip greens, fried okra, was making a three to four-year commitment to fried green tomatoes, corn bread, fried bread, sweet Alabama and the South. As we prepare to wel- potato soufflé, sweet potato pie, fried catfish, fried come the Society of American Archivists to Bir- chicken, fried steak with rice and onion gravy, mingham in 2002, I find myself examining the rea- chicken and dumplings, corn bread dressing, barbe- sons I moved south and the reasons I have stayed cue, banana pudding, red velvet cake, caramel for nearly 18 years. cake, boiled peanuts, and yes, grits. The names of the peas alone could fill a book: black- eyed, field, I came because I wanted to experience firsthand purple-hull, pink-eye-purple-hull, white-acre and what it was like to live in another region of the crowder, just to name a few. Come to Birmingham country and specifically the Deep South. Once I and go to a barbecue joint or to a local eatery and became immersed in the culture, I found many of get meat and three (vegetables) and experience my preconceived ideas to be dated, slanted or to- southern cooking at its finest. And if down-home tally wrong. My image of the region, like that of cooking is not your style, you can choose among many people raised north of the Mason-Dixon upscale restaurants featuring cuisine ranging from Line, was based on images presented by the media the classic to the eclectic. and impressions developed in my youth during the Civil Rights Movement. Those images are now It is the music. The South, Alabama and Birming- nearly forty years old. ham are home to country, the blues, jazz, and gos- pel. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame honors great I have stayed for a variety of reasons. The first jazz artists with ties Alabama with exhibits con- reason is the people. In a world where politeness veying the accomplishments of Nat King Cole, has increasingly disappeared, Alabama is a place Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Erskine Haw- where courtesy is evident in word and gesture. It is kins, Clarence "Pinetop" Smith, and Sun Ra. Bir- a place where extended families and small town mingham is also the home of a long tradition of connections are still woven tightly into of the fab- gospel singing, especially a cappella quartets.
Spring, 2001 Page 5 Society of American Archivists (Cont.)
the site preserves an extraordinary collection of It is the art. The region is proud of a rich tradition buildings, industrial structures, and machinery. Sloss of folk culture and outsider art. Potters, quilters, is the only 20th century blast furnace in the country basket makers, painters, and sculptors abound. The that is being preserved and interpreted as a museum. works of these crafts people and artists are dis- played in galleries throughout the United States. In In Birmingham, go golfing on one of the many addition, the Birmingham Museum of Art is home nearby courses including the nationally known of the Beeson Wedgwood Collection, the finest and Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Take in a Birmingham most important collection of eighteenth-century Barons game (this is the team for which Michael Jor- Wedgwood china outside of England. The mu- dan played). Enjoy the bonsai at the Birmingham Bo- seum is also widely known for superior examples tanical Gardens. Visit the zoo or Birmingham’s state- of Buddhist and Hindu sculpture; Chinese, Japa- of-the-art science center, the McWane Center and nese, and Korean paintings and ceramics; and an IMAX Dome Theater. In addition, Birmingham has outstanding collection of sub-Saharan African tex- cutting edge medical facilities and several universi- tiles, sculpture, and masks. ties, as well as the amenities of any urban area. A population of nearly 1,000,000 makes the Birming- It is the history. Spanish, French, and British set- ham area truly a city, but a city with a distinctly tlements grew amidst the Native American popula- southern flavor. tion. Alabama witnessed the beginnings of two of the most influential events in United States history: The South is a complex and changing region with a the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. fascinating history and a promising future in which Many of the events surrounding the Civil Rights Birmingham will play a central role. We welcome Movement occurred in Birmingham. Visit the Bir- you to our home in 2002, and hope you will come to mingham Civil Rights Institute, a monument to the experience some of the warmth and grace of the courage of countless individuals who, during the South. Come and see where history was made and is 1950's and 1960's, confronted the racial discrimina- being made. See the changes of the last forty years. tion of American society. Nearby is the 16th Street Come see why Alabama has become my home. Baptist Church, the site of the 1963 bombing, and Kelly Ingram Park, home to stunning sculptures Submitted by commemorating the struggle for freedom. Alden N. Monroe, Chair of the 2002 SAA Host Committee Birmingham was also the South’s first truly indus- Alabama Department of Archives and History trial city due to its close proximity to iron ore, coal and limestone deposits. Visit Sloss Furnaces Na- tional Historic Landmark, a 32-acre blast furnace plant where iron was made for three-quarters of a century. Now a museum of history and industry, Newly Acquired/Processed
Louisiana State Archives 1848 to 1912 · William Abadie oral history and copies of New collections received: newspaper articles related to his termination · Microfilm of Minute Book of the Vestry of St. from his job as a State Trooper and body guard James Episcopal Church in Alexandria dated to Earl Long, Civil Service hearings and rein-
Page 6 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter Newly Acquired/Processed (Cont.)
statement to his State Trooper job and copies of sociation of New Orleans. The gift, graciously proceedings leading to Long's commitment to a given by Ms. Dorothy Schlesinger, also consists of mental hospital rare autographs by artists such as Leonard Bern- · John Underwood Rochester Collection of fam- stein, Van Cliburn, Leontyne Price, Victor Borge, ily documents and photos from the 19th and John Browning, and José Greco. With the excep- 20th centuries in Louisiana and other states. In- tion of Leonard Bernstein’s autograph, which ap- cludes extensive genealogy of the Rochester pears on a place card, the autographs grace the pro- family that dates back to the city named for gram covers of the different presentations these tal- them in New York state. ented performers made in New Orleans. · Dr. Dominic A. Cangelosi Collection of several volumes of published acts of the Louisiana At public auction recently, the Louisiana State Mu- Legislature dated 1908 to 1936 seum made an exciting new acquisition – Louis · Sandra Smith Collection of miscellaneous pho- “Satchmo” Armstrong’s February 9, 1952 letter to tographs from Bryan Clemmons' tenure as New Orleans journalist Betty Jane Holder recalling Sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish his life as a young boy growing up in the Crescent · Vernon Parish Clerk of Court records from the City and the joyous Mardi Gras day he celebrated 1960's and 70's in 1949 reigning as King Zulu. Before being incor- · Mortality Census Schedules for Louisiana porated into the State Museum’s new facility in dated 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880Rosale F. Ma- Baton Rouge, opening in late 2003, the letter was tranga Collection of a Sons of Shriner's band proudly displayed August 3-5, 2001 at Satchmo photograph taken in Washington, DC in 1923 SummerFest, a free celebration honoring the 100th · Lucille B. Denham Collection of family history anniversary of Armstrong’s birth. charts for the Wright, McCaskell and Sommers familiesJohnnie and Annie Eisworth Fugler, Sr. LSU Libraries Special Collections Collection of a WWII quilt made in 1944 by the women of the Live Oak Methodist Church The Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Col- in Watson, Louisiana. Family members paid 10 lections at LSU Libraries Special Collections re- cents to have the name of their loved ones who cently received the donation of the professional pa- were in the military placed on the quilt.Francis pers of nationally-recognized Baton Rouge archi- Adolph Carles family Civil War era cannonball tect John Desmond.
· Secretary of State Records including: 2000 and Desmond is a native of Hammond, with a degree in 2001 sample and absentee ballots, 1999 propo- architecture from Tulane University. After his ser- sitions and vacancies, 2000 published Louisi- vice in the Navy during World War II, he earned a ana Presidential returns by precinct, 1998 and master's at M.I.T. and worked for a firm in New 1999 notary bond renewals York and for architect A. Hays Town in Baton · Governor's 1999 and 2000 Executive Orders, Rouge. In 1952 he opened an architectural practice Proclamations and Pardons in Hammond, with a dual practice in Baton Rouge · Insurance changes 1977 to 2000 for 10 years, and since the early 1970s has been solely in Baton Rouge, where his work has shaped Louisiana State Museum much of the city's public image. He has also taught architecture classes at LSU and Southern Univer- The Louisiana State Museum recently received the sity and is the author and illustrator of Louisiana’s donation of an important collection of local music Antebellum Architecture. artifacts, including a taped oral interview that traces the history of the Community Concerts As-
Spring, 2001 Page 7 Newly Acquired/Processed (Cont.)
The approximately 140 linear feet of papers span 1870. Letters of the prominent McMurran fam- the years ca. 1960-2000, and they include office ily of Melrose, Natchez, Miss., relate to women files such as correspondence, construction meeting and family, slavery and the Civil War. minutes, schematics, reports, change orders, and · Reynaud (Charles) Papers. ca. 1 linear foot, shop drawings for each project or building; design 1927-1994. Former LSU law professor’s papers development drawings and renderings; specifica- pertain to desegregation in Baton Rouge. tions and construction drawings; photographs and Reynaud spoke out against the movement to slides. These records document many of Baton close public schools to avoid desegregation and Rouge’s most recognizable and important build- testified before a legislative committee about ings from Desmond’s first conception of how the the matter in 1958. His papers are comprised building would look through the construction and of newspaper clippings, notes, letters of sup- engineering of the finished product. port, copies of his testimony, and speeches. Papers of his wife, LSU psychology professor Other acquisition highlights for the Louisiana and Marian Reynaud Baun, are also included. Her Lower Mississippi Valley Collection include the materials contain reports of campus commit- following: tees, which she chaired, that studied and made · Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations. 2 recommendations for the equalization of treat- linear feet, 1965-2000. Non-profit civic or- ment for female students, and records of the ganization formed to promote desegregation Friends of Public Education at University and improved race relations and in which many Methodist Church, Baton Rouge. LSU faculty participated. Includes correspon- · Rich (J.D.) Papers. 20 items, 1864-1867. Mili- dence, minutes, committee records, issue and tary correspondence, orders, telegraphs, legal event material, printed items, and membership papers, statements and accounts of a 1st lieuten- files. ant in the U.S. 80th Colored Infantry stationed · Baton Rouge Ku Klux Klan Records. 90 items, in New Orleans and Bonnet Carre¢, La., and 1928-1939. Correspondence, printed items, fi- provost marshal in St. John the Baptist, St. nancial and legal documents, and miscellane- Charles, and St. James parishes. The collection ous items of the Ku Klux Klan in Baton Rouge. reflects the military administration of civil af- · Doussan Family Letters (70 items, 1827-1872). fairs such as education and legal disputes by French émigrés who settled in the Baton Rouge the military, the effort to collect taxes and es- area; the patriarch of the family was formerly a tablish schools for freedmen, and aid given soldier under Napoleon. Letters to his brother through the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, in France relate to settling and establishing the and Abandoned Lands. family in Louisiana, crops, and contemporary · St. James Parish Justice of the Peace Ledger. 1 events. volume, 1847-1858. Kept by five different jus- · David Hunt Letters, 95 items, 1804, 1810- tices of the peace during the antebellum period, 1811, 1815-1818,1820-1839. Letters received the ledger records both commercial and crimi- by David Hunt, who, like many early Natchez nal report records. St. James was an old, im- settlers and wealthy plantation owners was a mensely rich and politically powerful sugar native of New Jersey. He and his uncle, Abijah cane parish and this span of over ten years of Hunt, owned several plantations, mercantiles, criminal records allows a window into regional and cotton gins in the Natchez area. Letters law and disorder. Of particular note are the include personal and business letters from his revelations of African-American salves as wit- brothers and financial agents. nesses, perpetrators, and victims in the parish’s · McMurran Family Letters. 116 items, 1854- crimes.
Page 8 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter Newly Acquired/Processed (Cont.)
· Wright (Charles L.) Papers. ca. 250 items, boxes of records from the Mayor's Office of Fed- 1884-1942. Wright was the manager of Excel- eral and State Programs and four boxes of sound sior Cypress Company’s operation in St. James recordings from the Council Fiscal Office. They Parish, which centered around the company include tapes of Council Budget Committee meet- town Timberton. Photographs, correspon- ings/hearings and tapes of Council Rivergate Com- dence, and printed materials relate to labor, mittee meetings. lumber harvesting and marketing, and the town of Timberton, which no longer exists. Nicholls State University
McNeese State University The Archives at Nicholls State University recently received a collection of 675 original death notices. The McNeese Archives recently acquired and proc- Before the advent of daily newspapers death no- essed two new collections. T he City of Lake tices were placed in various public places around Charles Mayor’s Office Collection contains docu- the community to inform people about the death ments donated by the Mayor’s office including top- and funeral arrangements of area residents. Most ics programs, federal files, fire department files, a of the death notices in this collection concern indi- general file, public works and city court docu- viduals from Assumption Parish and are dated ments. The Lake Charles Cemetery Association around the turn of the century. The oldest is from Collection contains materials from two early ceme- 1869. Many of the older notices are written in teries in Lake Charles, Orange Grove and Grace- French. The collection was donated to the Ar- land Cemetery. The collection includes burial list- chives by Celine Verret of Plattenville. ings, abstracts, deeds, plot plans, and many other items from 1892 - present. The McNeese State Vernon Parish Library University Office of Media Services Collection has been greatly enlarged with the addition of photo- The Vernon Parish Library has a small archival graphs from that office. These reflect many areas collection of local history. Four collections that of campus life and date from the 1970's to the pre- have been cataloged are the Dolores O. Bullock sent. Owen Collection, the Joe J. Hicks Collection, the Jane Parker McManus Collection, and the Leghorn New Orleans Public Library Louisiana Division/ Times Herald Collection. City Archives
The City Archives has received seven boxes of documents and records from the office of Council Member Cynthia Willard-Lewis. The materials were created/collected by former members Ellen Hazeur and Lula Breaux. Also received are three
Exhibits
Hill Memorial Library Creole Echoes is a joint project of the Center for French and Francophone Studies and the LSU Li- An exhibition focusing on Francophone culture braries. The exhibition, prepared by Jean-Marc in19th-century New Orleans is on view this fall in Duplantier and Frédérique Spill, investigates how Hill Memorial Library. Résonances Créoles/ Creoles built and tried to maintain a group identity
Spring, 2001 Page 9 Exhibits (Cont.) for themselves during an era of change from Fran- liams Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, cophone to Anglophone dominance in New Or- 10:00 A.M. through 4:30 P.M. and is located at leans. Grant funding from the French Senate sup- 533 Royal Street. Opening 12 January 2002 will be ported the publication of a printed catalog of the the exhibition, This Vast Country of Louisiana: exhibition; an LEH grant will enable the mounting 1682-1731 which will remain on display in the of an electronic exhibition that will be available Williams Gallery through 11 May 2002. this fall at www.lib.lsu.edu/special/exhibits/creole. The exhibition is on view through November 3. The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum and research center dedicated to the history of New Beginning November 12 in Hill Memorial Library, Orleans and Louisiana. The public is invited to the U.S. Civil War Center will present Blue and tour the Collection's galleries, house museum, and Gray for Boys and Girls: Selections from the Mi- exhibitions and to use its research facilities. Ad- chael Lehman Williamson Collection of Civil War mission to the Williams Gallery and the Williams Books for Young People. The exhibition will fea- Research Center is free. Tours of the History Gal- ture more than 50 children's books on the Ameri- leries and the Williams Residence at 533 Royal can Civil War published from 1862 to 2001. Leah Street are offered at 10:00, 11:00 A.M.; and 2:00, W. Jewett, Director of the Center, has selected the 3:00 P.M. with a $4.00 admission charge. Groups books and provided informative commentary on of eight or more and school groups, call (504) 523- the authors and genres represented. A lecture by 4662 for reservations. scholar James Marten, Professor of History at Mar- quette University and an expert on Civil War chil- Louisiana State Archives dren's literature, is planned for November. The ex- hibition will be on view November 12, 2001 - Current Exhibits: March 3, 2002, in the second floor gallery. Prints · Holidays of Many Languages ---- Eight cultural from artist Edwin Forbes's post-war portfolio Life organizations representing holidays Studies of the Great Army will be displayed simul- · American Italians of Louisiana --- Highlighting taneously in the first floor gallery. families, sports, music, military, arts, religion, commerce, public service The Historic New Orleans Collection · Louisiana Native Scenes - Darlene Boucher Photographer Currently on display through December 1, 2001 at · Oak Trees, Cajuns, and Blue Dogs; The Art of the Williams Research Center of the Historic New George Rodrigue Orleans Collection is Oblivion's Blight: Girod Street Cemetery (1822-1957). The Williams Re- Upcoming Exhibits: search Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, · Louisiana Cookbook Cavalcade -- Cookbooks 10:00 A.M. through 4:30 P.M. and is located at from schools, churches and professional chefs 410 Chartres Street. On permanent exhibition at in Louisiana. Demonstrations by celebrity chefs the Williams Research Center is Louisiana Sites and/or culinary tools -- September 16 through and Citizens: Selections from the Permanent Col- January 31, 2002 lection of Paintings. · Louisiana Native Americans -- March 1 through May 31, 2002 On display through December 29, 2001 in the Wil- · Louisiana In The Navy -- July through Decem- liams Gallery of the Historic New Orleans Collec- ber, 2002 tion is, In Search of Yesterday's Gardens: Land- · Runnel's School (East Baton Rouge Parish) scapes of 19th-Century New Orleans. The Wil- Juried Art Show, May 2002
Page 10 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter Exhibits (Cont.)
Louisiana State Museum McNeese State University
On October 12, 2001, the Louisiana State Museum On Sunday, September 9, 2001, at 2:30 p.m., will premier Float Designs of the Golden Age, a McNeese State University’s Frazar Memorial Li- new exhibit curated by Mardi Gras historian Henri brary hosted a lecture and reception in conjunction Schindler, highlighting the classic early Carnival with the Louisiana State Division of Archaeology’s artwork used as the basis for parade designs from exhibit, El Nuevo Constante: An Eighteenth Cen- the 1870s through the 1950s. Many of the most tury Spanish Shipwreck from Cameron Parish, widely acclaimed Carnival artists are represented Louisiana. The lecture was given by Paul E. Hoff- in the exhibit including Charles Briton, Léda man, Professor of History at LSU and co-author of Hincks Plauché, Bror Anders Wikstrom, Carlotta the book, The Last Voyage of El Nuevo Constante. Bonnecaze, Jennie Wilde, Cenellia Bowers Alex- The exhibit, which features artifacts excavated ander, and Louis Andrews Fisher. The exhibit will from the wreckage of the ship, will be on display at open in conjunction with the release of Schindler’s Frazar Memorial Library until October 31, 2001. new book of the same title. The exhibit will be housed in the Presbytere’s changing exhibit gal- University of Louisiana at Lafayette lery, part of the building’s fantastic, permanent ex- hibit, Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisi- The summer exhibit in the Edith Garland Dupre ana, one of the city’s most recognized attractions. Library stairwell celebrated the centennial of the The exhibit will remain on display through April Louisiana oil industry, and featured materials from 2002. Items for this display are from the collec- the Southwestern Archives and Manuscripts Col- tions of the Louisiana State Museum, Tulane Uni- lection and the Louisiana Room collection. versity Special Collections, the Historic New Or- leans Collection, and Mr. Schindler. This exhibit was made possible by funding from Taylor Entergy Company.
News from LAMA Institutions
Diocese of Shreveport web site
The October monthly meeting of the Ark-La-Tex Friends of the Cabildo Chapter of ARMA International will be held at the Catholic Center in Shreveport and will include a The Friends of the Cabildo are proud to once again presentation on disaster planning for businesses. host the ever-popular Ghostly Galavant. In its fif- Presenter will be Eugene Barattini, representing the teenth year, Ghostly Galavant 2001 promises to be Caddo/Bossier Office of Emergency Preparedness. the biggest and best yet. New Orleans Historic French Quarter is the stage where participants have Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Mary the opportunity to visit residents’ private court- yards to hear from historic and fascinating ghosts The Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Mary who played a pivotal role in the history of our great has changed its web address to
Spring, 2001 Page 11 News from LAMA Institutions (Cont.) from the 1850 House Museum Store located at 523 St. Ann Street on Jackson Square. Tickets are only The McNeese Archives and Special Collections $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more in- Department received a gaming grant to enlarge the formation, please contact Ariana Ganak at (504) area of the archives office. The expansion will al- 523-3939 or check us out on the web at www. most double the size of the current office. The de- gnofn.org/~fcabildo. partment is also applying for another gaming grant for shelving for a recently acquired off-site storage The Historic New Orleans Collection area.
Third Saturday, a continuing program at the Wil- McNeese State University: A Photographic History liams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street, serves is scheduled for release in October. Archivist as an introduction to research at the Williams Re- Kathie Bordelon authored this Arcadia Publishing search Center. On Saturday 20 October 2001, the Company’s College History Series title. It contains focus will be Grave Matters: Sources for Cemetery over 200 photographs and captions describing the Research at THNOC. Sessions are held in the university since its founding in 1939. reading room of the Williams Research Center. Please call (504) 598-7171 for reservations. New Orleans Public Library Louisiana Division/ City Archives: On Saturday, 19 January 2002, the Historic New Orleans Collection will hold its annual Williams A number of additions have been made to NU- Research Center Symposium. The theme for the TRIAS, NOPL's website (http://nutrias.org) during upcoming symposium is The French Empire in the last few months: North America: From Canada to Louisiana, A · An inventory of the audio tapes in the Joseph Shared History. The symposium will be held in Culotta, Jr. Collection. The collection contains the Grand Ballroom of the Omni Royal Orleans tapes of "Let's Talk It Over," one of New Or- Hotel, 621 Toulouse Street, New Orleans. A leans' first radio call-in/interview programs, $25.00 registration fee is required; for information which aired on WTIX from 1965-1986 and please call (504) 598-7171. from 1986-1990 on WNOE. Topics discussed on "Let's Talk It Over" range widely. Political McNeese State University events and social issues on a local, national and even international level figure prominently (e. Ryan P. Semmes has been hired as the new Assis- g., elections and ballot issues on all levels, Riv- tant Archivist for McNeese State University. He erfront Expressway, Hurricane Betsy, Missis- comes to us as a recent graduate from the College sippi River Bridge tolls, legalized gambling, of Library and Information Science at the Univer- Vietnam, student demonstrations, police brutal- sity of South Carolina. Also, he is currently work- ity, urban renewal, the women's movement). ing on his thesis for a Master’s of Public History at The program also discussed a virtually unlim- the University of South Carolina. Ryan has ited variety of other topics, among them his- worked as an assistant at the South Caroliniana Li- tory, popular culture, hobbies, religion, and brary at USC, the South Carolina Department of education. The list of guests is similarly varied- Archives and History and The Sporting News in St. -elected officials, civil service employees, civic Louis, Missouri. He attended Mississippi State and business leaders, educators, religious lead- University as an undergraduate and is from ers, attorneys, sports figures and coaches, aca- Natchez, Mississippi. We are very happy to have demics, representatives of organizations and Ryan at McNeese and he is looking forward to be- movements, authors, medical professionals, etc. coming an active member of LAMA. The Culotta inventory can be found at http://
Page 12 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter News from LAMA Institutions (Cont.)
nutrias.org/culotta/ltio.htm. City Archives. · An inventory of the audiotapes from NOPL's NEH-funded "Jambalaya" Program, a series of Collin Hamer will speak to the Jefferson Genea- lectures, discussions, exhibits, and other activi- logical Society on September 13 on substitutes for ties examining the culture and history of New the lost 1890 federal census. Orleans held at NOPL during the late 1970s. Between 1977 and 1980, Jambalaya presented The Louisiana Division's semi-annual "Genealogy 194 events featuring 284 speakers, panelists, for Beginners" workshop, sponsored by NOPL, and performers. Participants and/or correspon- the dents included Tennessee Williams, Stephen Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, Ambrose, Walker Percy, Paul Prudhomme, and the Friends of NOPL, will be held on Novem- Ellis Marsalis, Dutch Morial, Charles Neville, ber 17 at the Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave. The Clarence John Laughlin, Joan Martin, Jonathan class is free, but pre-registration is required since Williams, Lillian Hellman, Cleanth Brooks, seating is limited. Those interested in attending Enrique Alferez, John William Corrington, should call the Louisiana Division at 596-2610 to John Duffy, Peter Feibleman, James K. Glass- register. man, Shirley Ann Grau, Sheldon Hackney, Pe- ter Kalisher, Moon Landrieu, Charles Moore, University of Louisiana at Alexandria Victor Schiro, and Leonard Slatkin. Topics ex- plored in the series included the New Orleans The James C. Bolton Library at LSUA will open its Mardi Gras; urban setting; economy; literary new Archives Room October 18, 2001. scene; film-making; radio and television; mu- sic; children's books; politics; the melting pot; University of Louisiana at Lafayette New Deal art; journalism; the Mississippi River; cuisine; environment; medicine; educa- The Bayou State Periodical Index is now available tion; and future. Some programs focused on re- online at www.libris.ca/bayou, through the gener- lated topics as they pertained to South Louisi- osity of the Louisiana Library Association. The da- ana outside of the Crescent City. Sound re- tabase currently covers 1996-1999. Plans are to in- cordings were made of most of the events and clude 2000 in the December update and 2001 in the original reel-to-reel tapes were duplicated March, bringing the file up to date. on cassettes for research use. The Jambalaya inventory can be found at http://nutrias.org/ I. Bruce Turner, Curator of Archives and Special ~nopl/inv/jambalaya.htm. Collections, has been promoted to full professor · We continue to add photographs to the website, and has been reappointed to the Friends of the notably to the Victor H. Schiro Collection and Edith Garland Dupre Library/BORSF Professor- the WPA Collection, and to the "Recent Addi- ship. Jean S. Kiesel, Louisiana Room Librarian, tions" section of the photos page, which can be has been appointed to the Drs. Gloria S. and Robert found at http://nutrias.org/photos/photolist.htm. W. Cline/BORSF Professorship.
Photographs from the Louisiana Division collec- tions continue to be used each week in the "Nostalgic New Orleans" segment of WYES' Step- pin' Out program. Wayne Everard will speak to a meeting of the Lou- isiana Historical Society on September 11 on re- sources available in the Louisiana Division and
Spring, 2001 Page 13 LAMA Board of Directors
Florence Borders Center for African & African-American Studies, Southern University at New Orleans
Janet Colson Louisiana Creole Heritage Center, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Carol Mathias Nicholls State University Archives
Mary Linn Wernet Cammie G. Henry Research Center, Watson Memorial Library, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Tara E. Zachary Hill Memorial Library, Louisiana State University
Page 14 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association Newsletter LAMA Officers
President Carol O. Bartels The Historic New Orleans Collection
Vice-President/President-elect Jean S. Kiesel Dupré Library, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Secretary Irene Wainwright Louisiana Division, New Orleans Public Library
Treasurer Collin Hamer Louisiana Division, New Orleans Public Library
Newsletter Editor
Buffie Hollis New Orleans Notarial Archives
Spring, 2001 Page 15 Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association
P.O. Box 51213 New Orleans, LA 70151-1213
http://nutrias.org/ lama/lama.htm
2001 Annual Meeting
Registration materials for the 2001 Annual Meeting at the Louisiana State Archives in Ba- ton Rouge on November 9, 2001 will be mailed in mid- October. The agenda and regis- tration form are available online now at the LAMA website: www.nutrias.org/lama/lama. htm.