DOCSLIB.ORG

A Collision of Interpretations in Cane River National Heritage Area, Louisiana

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Collision of Interpretations in Cane River National Heritage Area, Louisiana Economics and Authenticity: A Collision of Interpretations in Cane River National Heritage Area, Louisiana David W. Morgan, Kevin C. MacDonald, and Fiona J. L. Handley Ed. note: A version of this paper was originally presented at The Alliance of Natural Heritage Areas 2nd International Heritage Development Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, June 2005. Introduction Melrose Plantation, a United States national historic landmark, is a focal point for cultural tourism in northern and central Louisiana (Figure 1). It is celebrated as a pre-Louisiana Purchase property,for the origins of Melrose may go back as far as 1796. In that year, legend has it that a freed slave of African descent named Marie-Thérèse Coincoin acquired the land grant for this property on behalf of her son, Louis Metoyer, who was then still a slave (Mills and Mills 1973:33–59). Louis Metoyer was a Creole of Color, which in central Louisiana refers to a distinct group of people of mixed European, Native American, and African ances- try. Cane River is home to the descendents of this original colonial-era community, and the Cane River Creoles, as they call themselves, are a vibrant group of people who have experi- enced a strong cultural revitalization over the last decade. In the Cane River region, Marie- Thérèse herself is considered a founding figure of exceptional—almost mythic—importance, and most members of the Creole community trace their genealogical ties back to Marie- Thérèse and her ten children by the Frenchman, Jean Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer. Marie-Thérèse’s prominence in popular culture is due in no small part to the fact that their descendants became one of the South’s wealthiest antebellum families of African descent (Louisiana State Museum 2003). Her more global importance has been highlighted recent- ly by the attention given Cane River and Marie-Thérèse by Oprah Winfrey and two contem- porary novelists (Tademy 2001; Mills 2003). For the last four years we have worked of the Maison de Marie-Thérèse, see at Melrose and the other plantations of MacDonald, Morgan, and Handley 2002/ Marie-Thérèse and her family as part of a 2003; MacDonald, Morgan, and Handley, collaborative archaeological and archival in press; MacDonald et al., in press). Little project between Northwestern State by little our research has unraveled the links University of Louisiana (NSU) and between traditional narratives and certain- University College London (UCL). During ties about the history of these properties, these years we have lived very much in the forcing us, as academics, to refine our shadow of Coincoin’s legend (for the story understanding of the plantation’s develop- 44 The George Wright Forum The ICOMOS–Ename Charter Figure 1. Locations of sites discussed in the text. Map by David Morgan. ment. This has thrust us into a position we sometimes they are discordant. As such our did not anticipate, in which our findings are negotiations over the legend of Marie- sometimes welcomed, but sometimes are Thérèse provide an interesting case study seen as contesting, contradicting, or deny- with which to illustrate the tenets of the ing accepted narrative “truths.” third draft of the proposed Ename Charter There are three main parties who wish for the Interpretation of Cultural Heritage to stake a claim in the way in which Marie- Sites (see Silberman, this volume). Other Thérèse’s story is told. One, obviously, are similar charters have mentioned the need the individuals who self-identify as Cane for sensitive, effective interpretation, but the River Creoles. A second party is the Ename Charter, drafted under the auspices Association for the Preservation of Historic of ICOMOS, the International Council on Natchitoches (APHN), a not-for-profit Monuments and Sites, attempts to “define preservation group composed mostly of the basic objectives and principles of site affluent Anglo women who currently incor- interpretation in relation to authenticity, porate Marie-Thérèse and Creole heritage intellectual integrity, social responsibility, into their interpretation of Melrose Planta- and respect for cultural significance and tion. Lastly,there are the outside academics, context” (ECPAHP 2005). It is particularly represented by us, as well as members of the appropriate here, for it begins with the National Park Service’s Historic American recognition that interpretation can be con- Buildings Survey program and, over the tentious and should acknowledge conflict- years, an assortment of other social scien- ing perspectives. As an international stan- tists. dard for all types of heritage sites, the char- In this paper we attempt to show how ter is necessarily broad, but there are three these three corporate voices come together principles that are especially appropriate to to relate the tale of the Cane River Creoles. the case we present, because together they Sometimes the voices are harmonious, address the need for interpretation through Volume 23 • Number 1 (2006) 45 The ICOMOS–Ename Charter scholarly methods and through living cul- Anglo owner responsible for Melrose’s ren- tural traditions, the need for authenticity, aissance in the early twentieth century), and and the need for fiscal sustainability. Clementine Hunter (the celebrated African- American artist who lived and worked at APHN’s Melrose Narrative Melrose during the Cammie Henry era). Melrose Plantation is the only publicly The APHN’s clear focus on strong-mind- accessible cultural heritage site at which the ed, independent women, two of whom were history of Cane River Creoles is currently African American, is unusual, if not unique, presented to the public. The APHN has in historic house interpretation in the owned the historic core of the plantation southern U.S., and is an extremely impor- and acted as its steward for 34 years. The tant and valid interpretive approach. society’s members obviously govern in a The interpretive tour explaining these large measure how the tale of Marie- women’s histories is based around five key Thérèse and her family is interpreted there. “original” buildings. Three are of particular Melrose, with its grand oaks and architec- importance because they have been associ- ture, is certainly capable of attracting ated directly with the Marie-Thérèse leg- tourists for aesthetic reasons alone (Figure end: 2). The real marketing and advertising efforts of the APHN, however, are to convey • Yucca House. It is presented as being Melrose as embodying the tale of three built around 1796, and legend has it influential women: Marie-Thérèse Coin- that this was the original main house, coin, Carmelite “Cammie” Henry, (the built and lived in by Marie-Thérèse Figure 2. Main house at Melrose Plantation. Photo by Jack Boucher, National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey. 46 The George Wright Forum The ICOMOS–Ename Charter (Figure 3). costume, and from her dramatic perch • Africa House. It is also presented as delivers the story of Marie-Thérèse and the being built around 1796 as a grain plantation’s founding; she then sweeps store, or, according to some accounts, a downstairs and across the lawn to com- slave jail built in a Congolese style by mence the heart of the tour at Yucca and Marie-Thérèse (Figure 4). Africa houses. • Ghana House. A third supposedly As another example, the APHN web- original 1796 structure, this small site’s main page leads visitors to two cabin is reported to have been built in tourism sites, one of which is Melrose. Each an architectural style reflecting Marie- heritage site is linked to a text blurb intend- Thérèse’s African heritage (Figure 5). ed to draw a reader into a closer inspection, and Melrose’s lure is telling: The story of Marie-Thérèse is famous in Cane River country, and the APHN uses “According to the tradition preserved it to their advantage. For instance the by her descendants, Marie Therese Melrose Plantation tourist brochure (2002) Coincoin was the recipient of the grant of land known as Melrose Plantation.” proclaims, “The story of romantic Melrose Plantation begins with the legend of Marie The legend of Marie Therese Coin- Thérése Coincoin.” It is accurate advertis- coin is not just the story of a woman ing, for so too does a visitor’s trip to the but the story of a family grounded in plantation. Special tour groups are some- African tradition, mellowed by French times greeted by Betty Metoyer, a descen- culture, this family developed in the briefest span of years into one of the dent of Marie-Thérèse. Metoyer typically unique societies in American history, awaits her tour groups from the upstairs a culture so distinct, so close-knit, that porch of the main house, dressed in period they have always termed themselves Figure 3. Yucca House at Melrose Plantation. Photo by Jack Boucher, National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey. Volume 23 • Number 1 (2006) 47 The ICOMOS–Ename Charter Figure 4. Africa House at Melrose Plantation. Photo by Philip Gould, reproduced with his permission and courtesy of the Cane River National Heritage Area. Figure 5. Ghana House at Melrose Plantation. Photo by Jack Boucher, National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey. 48 The George Wright Forum The ICOMOS–Ename Charter “The People.” According to legend, it served simultaneously as both a jail for was here that the story began .... Coincoin’s recalcitrant slaves and as a store- room. By choosing and italicizing a quotation Local folk historian Louis Nardini from the author François Mignon, whom scornfully disputed Mignon’s claims that we discuss below, and invoking the word same year. Nardini (1972) asserted that “legend” twice in their explanatory text, the Coincoin never owned Melrose; did not APHN brochure exploits the allure of the build Yucca, Africa, or Ghana houses; and Marie-Thérèse mythos, while attempting to lived in her own plantation at Cedar Bend reinforce it using documented history.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cane River, Louisiana
    ''ewe 'Know <Who <We !A.re'' An Ethnographic Ove1'View of the Creole Traditions & Community of Isle Brevelle & Cane River, Louisiana H.F. Gregory, Ph.D. Joseph Moran, M.A. I /'I "1\ 1'We Know Who We Are": I An Ethnographic Overview of the Creole Community and Traditions of I Isle Breve lie and Cane River, Louisiana I I I' I I 'I By H.F. Gregory, Ph.D. I Joseph Moran, M.A. I I I Respectfully Submitted to: Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve U.S. Department of the Interior I In partial fulfillment of Subagreement #001 to Cooperative Agreement #7029~4-0013 I I December, 1 996 '·1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Errata Page i - I "Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve" should read, "Jean Lafitte National I Historical Park and Preserve ...." Please define "emic" as the point of view from the culture as opposed to the I anthropological, descriptive view of the culture - the outsider's point ofview(etic). I Page vi- "Dr. Allison Pena" should read, "Ms. Allison Pena. ." I Page 13 - I "The first was literary-folkloristic which resulted in local color novels and romantic history - all but 'outside' authors and artists ... "should read, "The first was literary-folkloristic which I resulted in local color and romantic history - all by 'outside' authors and artists ...." I Page 14 - "Whenever Creoles tried to explain who they were, who they felt they were, it ultimately was, and is, interpreted as an attempt to passer pour blanc" should read, "Whenever Creoles tried I to explain who they were, who they felt they were, it ultimately was, and is, interpreted as an I attempt to passer pour blanc, or to pass for white...
    [Show full text]
  • Once Upon a Time in Louisiana
    10th Annual LouisianaLouisiana StudiesStudies ConferenceConference Once Upon a Time in Louisiana September 21-22, 20182018 CAPA Building Free and open to the public Ferguson-Dennis Cemetery | Leesville, Louisiana, Way Home Photography | Belinda S. Diehl Poster designed by Matt DeFord Info: Louisiana Folklife Center (318) 357-4332 1 The 10th Annual Louisiana Studies Conference September 21-22, 2018 “Once Upon a Time in Louisiana” Conference Keynote Speakers: Katie Bickham and Tom Whitehead Conference Co-Chairs: Lisa Abney, Faculty Facilitator for Academic Research and Community College Outreach and Professor of English, Northwestern State University Jason Church, Materials Conservator, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Charles Pellegrin, Professor of History and Director of the Southern Studies Institute, Northwestern State University Shane Rasmussen, Director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and Associate Professor of English, Northwestern State University Conference Programming: Jason Church, Chair Shane Rasmussen Conference Hosts: Leslie Gruesbeck, Associate Professor of Art and Gallery Director, Northwestern State University Greg Handel, Director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Associate Professor of Music and Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern State University Selection Committees: Conference Presentations: Shane Rasmussen, Chair Jason Church NSU Louisiana High School Essay Contest: Shane Rasmussen, Chair Lisa Abney Jason Church 2 Lisa Davis, NSU National Writing Project
    [Show full text]
  • 05 Natchitoches V-Guide
    Miles to Natchitoches from: New Orleans—250 miles Dallas—255 miles Lafayette—140 miles Houston—230 miles Lake Charles—140 miles Little Rock—290 miles Baton Rouge—190 miles Jackson—230 miles Shreveport—70 miles Oklahoma City—435 miles Monroe—109 miles Convention & Visitors Bureau 781 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 1.800.259.1714 • www.natchitoches.net A Visitor’s Guide to: The Destination of Travelers Since 1714 781 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 1.800.259.1714 • www.natchitoches.net Authentic Culture Natchitoches Parish Top Things to do atchitoches, the original French colony in Louisiana, maintains its European in Natchitoches flavor through its architecture, heritage • Shop & Dine in Landmark Historic District and lifestyle. At the heart of this National – Experience authentic Creole Historic Landmark District lies Front & Cajun cuisine Street, a brick thoroughfare where – Sample a Natchitoches Meat Pie wrought iron balconies, restaurants and • Guided tours of Creole Plantations shops face the beautiful Cane River Lake. – Four sites open daily This area is home to the Cane River • Interpretive tour Fort St. Jean Baptiste National Heritage Area that includes the State Historic Site largest collection of Creole architecture in – Four State Historic Sites within a 25-miles radius North America along with the Cane River • Carriage tours Creole National Historical Park at – Historic tour and Steel Magnolia Oakland and Magnolia plantations. filming sites w Beginning in Natchitoches, the • Stroll along the scenic Cane River Lake El Camino Real de los Tejas (Highway 6 • See alligators up close and personal in Louisiana and Highway 21 in Texas,) • Experience the charm of our bed has existed for more than 300 years and and breakfast inns was designated as a National Historic • Museums, art galleries and Louisiana’s Trail in 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • A Medley of Cultures: Louisiana History at the Cabildo
    A Medley of Cultures: Louisiana History at the Cabildo Chapter 1 Introduction This book is the result of research conducted for an exhibition on Louisiana history prepared by the Louisiana State Museum and presented within the walls of the historic Spanish Cabildo, constructed in the 1790s. All the words written for the exhibition script would not fit on those walls, however, so these pages augment that text. The exhibition presents a chronological and thematic view of Louisiana history from early contact between American Indians and Europeans through the era of Reconstruction. One of the main themes is the long history of ethnic and racial diversity that shaped Louisiana. Thus, the exhibition—and this book—are heavily social and economic, rather than political, in their subject matter. They incorporate the findings of the "new" social history to examine the everyday lives of "common folk" rather than concentrate solely upon the historical markers of "great white men." In this work I chose a topical, rather than a chronological, approach to Louisiana's history. Each chapter focuses on a particular subject such as recreation and leisure, disease and death, ethnicity and race, or education. In addition, individual chapters look at three major events in Louisiana history: the Battle of New Orleans, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Organization by topic allows the reader to peruse the entire work or look in depth only at subjects of special interest. For readers interested in learning even more about a particular topic, a list of additional readings follows each chapter. Before we journey into the social and economic past of Louisiana, let us look briefly at the state's political history.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Record Group 1 Judicial Records of the French
    RECORD GROUP 1 JUDICIAL RECORDS OF THE FRENCH SUPERIOR COUNCIL Acc. #'s 1848, 1867 1714-1769, n.d. 108 ln. ft (216 boxes); 8 oversize boxes These criminal and civil records, which comprise the heart of the museum’s manuscript collection, are an invaluable source for researching Louisiana’s colonial history. They record the social, political and economic lives of rich and poor, female and male, slave and free, African, Native, European and American colonials. Although the majority of the cases deal with attempts by creditors to recover unpaid debts, the colonial collection includes many successions. These documents often contain a wealth of biographical information concerning Louisiana’s colonial inhabitants. Estate inventories, records of commercial transactions, correspondence and copies of wills, marriage contracts and baptismal, marriage and burial records may be included in a succession document. The colonial document collection includes petitions by slaves requesting manumission, applications by merchants for licenses to conduct business, requests by ship captains for absolution from responsibility for cargo lost at sea, and requests by traders for permission to conduct business in Europe, the West Indies and British colonies in North America **************************************************************************** RECORD GROUP 2 SPANISH JUDICIAL RECORDS Acc. # 1849.1; 1867; 7243 Acc. # 1849.2 = playing cards, 17790402202 Acc. # 1849.3 = 1799060301 1769-1803 190.5 ln. ft (381 boxes); 2 oversize boxes Like the judicial records from the French period, but with more details given, the Spanish records show the life of all of the colony. In addition, during the Spanish period many slaves of Indian 1 ancestry petitioned government authorities for their freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • Historic Natchitoches®
    February 2015 300 years of flags that have ® flown over Natchitoches. HHistoricistoric NNatchitochesatchitoches A Free Guide to Leisure and Attractions Courtesy of The Natchitoches Times FRANCE 1714-1763 SPAIN 1763-1801 FRANCE 1801-1803 UNITED STATES 1803-61 CONFEDERATE STATES 1861-65 UNITED STATES 1960-PRESENT Don’t ever build STATE FLAG OF LOUISIANA something you haven’t dreamed of, first. STORY ON PAGE 3 STEEL MAGNOLIAS AND OTHER CITY OF NATCHITOCHES TOUR MAPS PAGES 7-10 Page 2 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES February 2015 Inside...Inside... Mardi Gras Comes to Natchitoches .......................................................Page 4 En Plein air .......................................................Page 5 Welcome to Natchitoches: The Story of Melrose .......................................................Page 6 Enjoy your stay in our historic town Maps, Walking Tours, NSU Tour and Cane River Tour ................................................Pages 7-10 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception .....................................................Page 11 The Last Cavalry Horse .....................................................Page 12 Mary Belle de Vargus .....................................................Page 14 The Came Out of the Sky .....................................................Page 16 ‘Historic Natchitoches’ is a monthly publication of The Natchitoches Times To advertise in this publication contact The Natchitoches Times P.O. Box 448 Natchitoches, LA 71458 On the Cover George Olivier celebrates 50 years of business in Natchitoches.
    [Show full text]
  • TRADITIONAL VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE in CREOLE NATCHITOCHES Natchitoches and Cane River, Louisiana
    Packet Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3, 2019 TRADITIONAL VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IN CREOLE NATCHITOCHES Natchitoches and Cane River, Louisiana GREEK REVIVAL SPONSOR Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission CREOLE PLANTATION SPONSOR LIVE OAK SPONSOR RoyOMartin Foundation Regional Construction LLC SPECIAL PARTNERS Cane River National Heritage Area Natchitoches Events Center Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau Natchitoches Service League HOST ORGANIZATIONS Institute of Classical Architecture & Art: Louisiana Chapter Louisiana Architectural Foundation National Center for Preservation Training & Technology Cane River Creole National Historical Park Follow us on social media! Traditional Vernacular Architecture in Creole Natchitoches 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 About the Hosts 4 Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) - Louisiana Chapter Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF) National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) Cane River Creole National Historical Park Registration 5 Accommodations: Chateau Saint Denis Hotel 6 Foray itinerary 7 Destinations 9 Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site Samuel Guy House (1850) National Center for Preservation Training & Technology (NCPTT) Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame (2013) Rue Beauport Riverfront (2017) Natchitoches Historic District (1984) St. Augustine (Isle Brevelle) Catholic Church (1829) Badin-Roque House (1769-1785) Yucca (Melrose) Plantation (1794-1814) Oakland Plantation (c. 1790) Cherokee Plantation (1839)
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Federal Agency Planning and Accountability Progress Report
    U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Park Cultural Resources Executive Order 13287, “Preserve America” Section 3: Improving Federal Agency Planning and Accountability Progress Report of the National Park Service September 30, 2017 Executive Order 13287, “Preserve America” Section 3: Improving Federal Agency Planning and Accountability Progress Report of the National Park Service September 30, 2017 Restoration work, Garden Key Light (aka, Tortuga Harbor Light), Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 1: Historic Property Identification ....................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Condition of Historic Properties ................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Historic Property Stewardship ................................................................... 188 Chapter 4: Leasing of Historic Properties .................................................................... 277 CASE STUDY: US Forest Service Lease, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, Washington ................................................................................................ 29 Chapter 5: NPS Contribution to Local Economic Development ................................... 294 Chapter 6: Partnerships and the National Parks ......................................................... 357 CASE STUDY:
    [Show full text]
  • National Heritage Areas
    Charting a Future for National Heritage Areas A Report by the National Park System Advisory Board National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them. These regions are acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to tell nationally important stories about our nation. QUINEBAUG AND SHETUCKET RIVERS VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, LESLIE SWEETNAM; COVER PHOTO: BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA, SARAH LEEN Foreword In 004, the Director of the National Park Service asked the National Park System Advisory Board to review and report with recommendations on the appropriate role of the National Park Service in supporting National Heritage Areas. This is that report. The Board is a congressionally chartered body of twelve citizens appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Established under the Historic Sites Act of 935, it is charged to provide advice on matters relating to operations in the parks and administration of the National Park Service. In preparing this report, the board sponsored meetings in four National Heritage Areas and consulted broadly with heritage area leaders, local and state-elected officials, community civic leaders and citizen groups, and National Park Service managers. National Heritage Areas represent a significant advance in conservation and historic preservation: large-scale, community-centered initiatives collaborating across political jurisdictions to protect nationally-important landscapes and living cultures. Managed locally, National Heritage Areas play a vital role in preserving the physical character, memories, and stories of our country, reminding us of our national origins and destiny.
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Studies Illustrate That the Use of Primary
    Narrative Background: Recent studies illustrate that the use of primary artifacts and real-world situations makes learning relevant to students and provides opportunities for the application of basic skills and knowledge (Knight, 1996; Swain, 2000). Based on this body of research, LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network (LOUIS), via the LOUISiana Digital Library (LDL) at http://louisdl.louislibraries.org, partnered with museums, libraries, archives, the LSU College of Education, and six southern Louisiana parish school boards in 2001 to integrate digital primary sources into the K-12 social studies curriculum. The project, Teaching American History in Louisiana (TAHIL), provided three intensive three-week long summer institutes for 90 middle and high school librarians and teachers that modeled the integration of primary sources with student-centered, inquiry-based instruction. Appendix A provides detailed information on the TAHIL project. Although the TAHIL project goals were successfully achieved, additional needs were identified: • Increase the audience to include elementary educators (librarians and teachers) and independent learners. • Allow K-12 educators (librarians and teachers) to participate in selecting primary sources for digitization. • Expand the variety of subjects and formats available in digital collections. Information equity is also an important consideration of this project. To borrow a phrase from geography textbooks, many Louisiana schools and students suffer from “distance friction,” a term that refers to the problems that occur when distance separates supply from demand. As in many areas of the United States, Louisiana is a state of demographic and geographic contrasts. South Louisiana houses most of the state’s universities, the state library, the state museum and most of the major cultural institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • THE GEORGE WRIGHT Volume 19 2002< Number 4
    FtRUTHE GEORGE WRIGHT M Volume 19 2002< Number 4 THE JOURNAL OF THE GEORGE WRIGHT SOCIETY Dedicated to the Protection, Preservation and Management of Cultural and Natural Parks and Reserves Through Research and Education The George Wright Society Origins Founded in 1980, The George Wright Society is organized for the purposes of promoting the application of knowledge, fostering communication, improving resource management, and providing information to improve public understanding and appreciation of the basic purposes of natural and cultural parks and equivalent reserves. The Society is dedicated to the protec­ tion, preservation, and management of cultural and natural parks and reserves through re­ search and education. Mission The George Wright Society advances the scientific and heritage values of parks and protected areas. The Society promotes professional research and resource stewardship across natural and cultural disciplines, provides avenues of communication, and encourage public policies that embrace these values. Our Goal The Society strives to be the premier organization connecting people, places, knowledge, and ideas to foster excellence in natural and cultural resource management, research, protection, and interpretation in parks and equivalent reserves. Board of Directors ROBERTJ. KRUMENAKER, President • Bayfield, Wisconsin LAURA E. S. GATES, Vice President • Pineville, Louisiana DWIGHT T. PITCAITHLEY, Treasurer • Reston, Virginia DENNIS B. FENN, Secretary • Flagstaff, Arizona GILLIAN BOWSER • Glennallen, Alaska PETER BRINKLEY • New York, New York MARIE BERTILLION COLLINS • Piedmont, California ABIGAIL B. MILLER • Alexandria, Virginia DAVIDJ. PARSONS • Florence, Montana RICHARD B. SMITH • Placitas, New Mexico STEPHEN WOODLEY • Chelsea, Quebec Executive Office DAVID HARMON, Executive Director P. O. Box 65 ROBERT M. LINN, Membership Coordinator Hancock, Michigan 49930-0065 USA EMILY DEKKER-FIALA.
    [Show full text]
  • Cane River Lake, Louisiana
    ·-: .· .. ·_ o-~tC1") . SpeciaL.~source- Study. Environmental Ass.essment L: 0 (J l S. I .A N A ·tPANE RIVER ·· · · . Louisiana . HL'.SE. RETURN TO:. TECHmCJ\L n:r::::.~.m:N c:::nrn B&WScans C::rJVER SEiWiCE c::ViiEil ON MICROFILM ~i .. lL.{. _Z6C> ~- . fMTIO~Al PARK SERVICE . .· @.Print~d· on Recycled Paper Special Resource Study Environmental Assessment June 1993 Cane River Lake, Louisiana CANE RIVER Louisiana United States Department of the Interior • National Park Service • Denver Service Center SUMMARY As directed by Congress, the National Park Service has initiated a special resource study to identify and evaluate alternatives for managing, preserving, and interpreting historic structures, sites, and landscapes within the Cane River area of northwestern Louisiana, and how Creole culture developed in this area. The study includes an evaluation of resources for possible inclusion in the national park system using the requirements set forth in the NPS publication Criteria for Parklands, including criteria for national significance, suitability, and feasibility. The study area boundary includes Natchitoches Parish (pronounced Nack-a-tish), which still retains significant aspects of Creole culture. White Creoles of colonial Louisiana were born of French or Spanish parents before 1803. The tangible close of this period came with the formal establishment of United States presence as represented by Fort Jesup. Creoles of color emerged from freed slaves who owned plantations, developed their own culture, and enjoyed the respect and friendship of the dominant white Creole society. In Louisiana, Creole could refer to those of European, Afro-European heritage, or European-Indian heritage. The study area also includes Cane River Lake (originally the main channel for the Red River) and 4 miles of the Cane River to Cloutierville.
    [Show full text]