LTHP 2014 Fall Newsletter

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Culture Connection April 22-23 2014 LA
Annual Preservation ConferenceCulture Connection Office of Cultural Development: Celebrating 20 years of Decentralized Arts Funding, 25 years of
Archaeology Week/Month and 30 years of Louisiana Main Street.
Main Street Award:
St. Claude Main Street, New Orleans
(left) Michael Echols, Jonathan Rhodes
and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne.
Preservationist of the Year:
Jean Sayres, Shreveport (left) Michael
Echols, Jean Sayres and Lt. Governor Jay
Dardenne.
Preservation Education Award:
Randy Harelson, New Roads (left)
Michael Echols, Randy Harelson, and Lt.
Governor Jay Dardenne.
George Rodrigue Lifetime Cultural
Achievement Award:
Sue Turner, Baton Rouge (left) Jacques
Rodrigue, Sue Turner, Lt. Governor Jay
Dardenne.
Preservation Leadership Award:
A.C. Bourdier, Lake Charles (left) Phil
Boggan, A. C. Bourdier, Michael Echols
and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne.
Preservation Heritage Award:
Preservation Resource Center of New
Orleans, Patty Gay Accepting (left)
Michael Echols, Patty Gay and Lt. Governor
Jay Dardenne
VIP Preservation Reception with
LT. Governor Jay Dardenne
Presented by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
co-sponsored by Foundation Historical Louisiana , Louisiana Archaeological Society, Preservation Resource Center
awarding “champions” for their support of archaeology and historic preservation
The Honorees of the 2014 Louisiana Culture Awards
for Historic Preservation:
Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
Celebrates 35th Anniversary
HONOREES:
Representative James “Jim” Farrin Jonesboro, LA
Representative Walt Leger, Speaker Pro Tempore New Orleans, LA
Senator Sharon Westin Broome Baton Rouge, LA
Senator Neil Riser Columbia, Caldwell Parish
Senator Francis Thomas Delhi, LA
Senator Mike Walsworth Monroe, LA
This year marks the Tri-Centennial of Natchitoches, the oldest town in Louisiana where the first annual meeting
of the LA Preservation Alliance ( LA Trust ) was held with a repeat visit on its twenty- fifth anniversary and then
again on its thirty-fifth. The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
2013 Success Stories was announced by Michael Echols, President
on June 26 at the annual conference which was co-hosted by the LA
State Division of Historic Preservation and the National Center for
Preservation Training and Technology. The keynote speaker at this two
day event was LA Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne. The guest speaker
Stephanie Meeks, CEO, and National Trust for Historic Preservation
President spoke at the conference luncheon.
Dan Seymour (left), Chairman,
Natchitoches; Phil Boggan, DCRT, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Office of Cultural
Development, Baton Rouge; Michael
Echols, LTHP President, Monroe
LTHP Board Members Sand Marmillion,
Vacherie; Richard Gibbs, New Roads
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, Keynote
Speaker
Nicole Hobson-Morris ED, LA Div. of
Historic Preservation, DCRT, Office of
Cultural Development

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2013 Preservation Success Stories within Louisiana
By Lane Callaway, LTHP Board Member, Shreveport
2013 Most Endangered
Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation
The Preservation Success Stories for 2013 ranged from a 1920 humble former residence of a sawmill worker in the
town of DeRidder to a massive art-deco style auditorium built in 1929 in Shreveport that hosted First Lady Eleanor
Roosevelt in March 1937. The Preservation Success Stories for 2013 listed alphabetically by parish included:
Michael Echols from Monroe and President of Louisiana Trust summed up the organization’s effort from 1999 to
2013 at identifying over 100 structures in Louisiana as Most Endangered. And since 2011, he identified over 50
Preservation Success Stories the Louisiana Trust has identified state-wide. The 2013 nomination application also
gathered data on use of federal and state history tax credits as well as further identified if the nominated historic
structure was listed on any historic register.
Nominations for the Louisiana Trust’s Most Endangered and Preservation Success Stories are submitted from a
variety of sources state-wide. The nominations are submitted by citizens of Louisiana and from the LA Trust’s
board directors; community managers of the Louisiana Main Street Program; elected and appointed local officials;
historic property owners; preservation architects; developers; and local historic organizations.
The nomination applications to identify the Most Endangered and Preservation Success Stories for calendar
year 2014 is planned to be distributed in January. These structures are to be announced at the 2015 LA Annual
Preservation Conference hosted by the LA Trust for Historic Preservation and the LA Division of Historic
Preservation to be held in Lake Charles. The 2014 nomination application for Most Endangered is being expanded
to clarify potential to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE BUILT ORIGINAL REPURPOSE
DeRidder (Beauregard)
First Street School
downtown
1939 Public elementary school Work-force development
DeRidder
(Beauregard)
Company-provided
housing
1920
Residence for
sawmill worker
Timber museum
Hosston
(Caddo)
Hosston School 1931
Public school
(all grades)
Recreation & public event
center
Shreveport (Caddo)
Municipal Auditorium
downtown
1929
Entertainment venue,
veteran’s memorial
Multi-purpose
entertainment center
Shreveport (Caddo)
1200 Marshall Street
downtown
1908 Printing business
Complex of executive
offices
Shreveport (Caddo)
Oakland Cemetery
downtown
1842
Oldest existing cemetery
in City
Recreate walking garden
cemetery
Shreveport (Caddo)
712 Texas Street
downtown
1937 Paint retailer Architectural firm
Lake Charles
(Calcasieu)
104 West Pujo Street
downtown
1929 Hotel auto parking garage
Restaurant, bar,
entertainment venue
Natchitoches
(Natchitoches)
Caspari Hall
(Northwestern State)
1939
College dormitory
for male athletes
Executive offices for
college officials
New Orleans
(Orleans)
Saenger Theatre
downtown
1927
3,400 seat movie
palace / stage
Multi-purpose
entertainment center
Poverty Point Inscribed As World Heritage Site
Poverty Point
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee voted to inscribe Poverty Point State Historic Site as a World Heritage Site yesterday
at its annual meeting in Doha, Qatar. Poverty Point is only the 22nd World Heritage Site in the U.S. and joins the ranks of
others worldwide including the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Poverty Point was the U.S. Department of the Interior’s lone nomination for world heritage status—adding to the site’s
accolades as a National Historic Landmark, National Monument and Smithsonian Affiliate. The 3,400-year-old site is
considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the U.S. Programs and tours at the site are offered
daily and show visitors how life might have been for the prehistoric inhabitants of the area.
“This is a huge win for Louisiana. I don’t think people realize how impactful this will be to northeast Louisiana’s economy,”
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. “The World Heritage designation solidifies Poverty Point as one of the world’s greatest
archaeological treasures, and we will work with surrounding parishes to provide early promotion of the inscription.”
Poverty Point is the largest, most complex U.S. archaeological site of its age. No other site in the country matched its size
until at least 2,000 years later. In addition to its impressive size and design, the site is outstanding because of its widespread
trade network. The site’s design is unlike any other site in the world, including a massive earthen complex, with six mounds,
six concentric, C-shaped ridges and a large, flat plaza. Archaeologists believe Native Americans moved 25-million cubic
feet of dirt to build the earthworks.
Courtesy of Culture Recreation and Tourism Department

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Protect the Historic Tax Credit
Historic Tax Credit
Today, the federal historic tax credit (HTC) is at risk as never before. A tax reform discussion draft released
by House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) contained language to repeal the credit. This is an
unprecedented threat to the government’s most significant investment in preserving our historic buildings
and we need your help to save it.
The National Trust, in collaboration with the Historic Tax Credit Coalition, has launched in a multi-year
initiative to preserve and enhance the federal historic tax credit. The centerpiece of this campaign is the Creating
American Prosperity through Preservation (CAPP) Act, bipartisan legislation that would increase the HTC’s
ability to revitalize smaller Main Street projects and enable energy-efficient projects.
New research commissioned by the National Trust proves for the first time that the economic benefits of historic
rehab go far beyond one building. Historic tax credit projects spur an increase in property values, draw new
businesses, attract new residents and enlarge the tax base. Projects in Maryland, Georgia and Utah are profiled.
Take Action to Protect the Federal Historic Tax Credit!
The federal historic tax credit (HTC) is facing an unprecedented threat. The U.S. House of Representatives’ tax
writing committee is considering repeal of the HTC as part of a broader proposal to comprehensively reform the
tax code and we need your help to protect it.
Since being signed into law by President Reagan, the HTC has attracted $109 billion in private investment
toward the rehabilitation of nearly 40,000 historic commercial buildings in the U.S., creating 2.4 million jobs
and sparking downtown revitalization nationwide. By providing developers with an incentive to reuse historic
buildings in exchange for retaining their historic character, the credit has made possible the reuse of vacant
historic mills, warehouses, theaters and office buildings. The result is new life for our nation’s historic resources
and a host of other benefits, including population growth, new businesses, an increased tax base and a boost in
property values.
In recognition of the tremendous importance of the credit and the growing threat to it, the National Trust has
assigned “Watch Status” to the federal historic tax credit as part of its 2014 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered
Historic Places. Watch Status means that a specific site, resource, policy or program faces a growing but still
avoidable threat.
Please join us in making a strong statement to Congress that the historic tax credit is an essential tool for
preserving our heritage and fueling our economy. Ask your senators to cosponsor bipartisan legislation, the
Creating American Prosperity through Preservation Act (“CAPP”) Act (S.1141), introduced by Sen. Cardin (D-
Md.) and Sen. Collins (R-Me.) that will enhance the HTC’s ability to preserve historic buildings and revitalize our
communities. We’ve prepared a sample message that you may customize to reach your senator.
Please refer to the National Trust for Preservation website www.preservationnation.org for this message plus more
information from which this article was taken.
NEWS BRIEFS
Free and Open to the Public
Monday, September 29 at 1:00 PM 1504 Oretha C. Haley
Boulevard, New Orleans. The existing building at 1504 O.C.
Haley Blvd.- the
former Dryades
Market – will be
converted into
the home of the
Southern Food
and Beverage Museum. The museum, known as SoFAB, is
the award winning, unique museum of culinary culture and
history. Plans for the building include the Museum of the
American Cocktail the Leah Chase Louisiana Gallery, the
Gallery of the States, and La Galerie d’Absinthe. The Gallery
of the States will feature exhibits which transport visitors on
a culinary journey to the other states of the South and the
District of Columbia. Photo Courtesy of SoFAB.
Historic Preservation In Mandeville, LA
In early February 2013, the Mandeville City Council
unanimously passed an ordinance to establish a historic
district in Old Mandeville. The ordinance, which has
been in the works for years, is designed to protect
the unique character of Old Mandeville with tighter
regulations on historic structures and new construction.
In early 2011, Mayor Donald Villere, established the
Mandeville Historic Preservation Study Committee
consisting of five members appointed by the Mayor.
The purpose of the Study Committee was to investigate
the preservation and protection of historic and
architecturally worthy buildings, structures, sites,
monuments, streetscapes, and neighborhoods and to
recommend a specific area as a Historic Preservation
District for ordinance consideration by the City Council.
The Study Committee proposed ordinance to impose
tighter regulations on historic structures and new
developments in Old Mandeville was presented and
accepted by the Mandeville City Council in early
February 2013. At that Council Meeting, Mayor Pro-
Tem Rick Danielson said, “This (ordinance) is to protect
and preserve everything we love about Mandeville. With
this, we are protecting our history and shaping our city’s
future.”
The ordinance establishes a historic district for
Old Mandeville to be overseen by a five-member
preservation commission responsible for maintaining
and enhancing the area’s character. The boundaries of the
District are Lake Pontchartrain to the south, U.S. 190 to
the north, Galvez Street to the west and Jackson Street to
the east.
by Scott Chotin
Noble Building Placed on the National Register
The Noble Building, 324 Pujo Street, downtown Lake Charles,
has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Architect Lauren Harrell of Randall Broussard Architects
of Sulphur, Louisiana, researched, wrote the application,
and presented to the State Review Board in April this year.
Department of Interior notified the owners of the listing in
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NEWS BRIEFS
Register of Historic Places, as determined by the United
States Department of the Interior and the National Park
Service. The area represents an expansion of the Normal
Hill Historic District, which contains the oldest portion of
the university’s
campus,
set around
the three
monumental
Greek Revival
columns that
survive the
original Bullard
mansion.
The creation
of the new
district, called the Northwestern State University Historic
District, will include the original Normal Hill and other
structures built between 1884 and 1955. The LSMSA gym,
which was built by Louisiana State Normal, later (used by
Natchitoches High School and is currently used by LSMSA,
was selected because of historic interest: a recessed section
above the gym’s main door is the only place on campus the
designation “Louisiana State Normal College” still appears.
The Northwestern State University Historic District
includes examples of Beaux Arts, Colonial Revival, Tudor
Revival, Jacobean and Collegiate Gothic architectural
styles of the late 19th century as well as Early 20th
Century American, Commercial Style, Modern, Campus
Modern and Art Deco of the 20th century. The properties
included are associated with events that made significant
contribution to the history of the university.
Six Louisiana Plantations Named in
Top Ten Southern Plantations by USA TODAY
1. Melrose Plantation, Natchitoches -
courtesy of Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau
2. San Francisco Plantation, Garyville - courtesy of
Oak Alley
3. Oak Alley, Vacherie - courtesy of Oak Alley
4. Houmas House, Darrow - courtesy of Oak Alley
5. Laura Plantation, Vacherie - courtesy of Laura Plantation
6. Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan - courtesy of
Destrehan Plantation
10
NEWS BRIEFS
June this year.
The owners, Rick and Donna Richard, hired Ms. Harrell
for her preservation expertise and also for the actual
architectural work to adapt the building for apartments and
retail use.
The building is described as a “two-story masonry
commercial edifice divided into three bays by brick
pilasters. It is typical of late 18th and early 19th century
American Style commercial buildings.”
The Noble Building was constructed in 1919, and according
to city directories and Sanborn maps, the building has been
used for a cabinet shop, fruit warehouse, mortgage firm,
accounting
offices,
engineering
offices, and
Yellow Cab
Co. The
most recent
owner was
the Noble
Oil and Gas company from the 1930’s until the sale in 2012.
One of the tenants in the early years was the Shutts and
Sons Engineering firm. One of the sons, Elmer Shutts, is
credited with being the first engineer for the Port of Lake
Charles from 1925 to 1964. According to Harrell’s research,
Lake Charles has the only port put into operation without
federal funds.
The ceiling on the first floor is pressed tin tiles. The
entryway floor is honeycomb marble tile, and the stairs
are made of solid marble, virtually unblemished. The
hallway has original subway tile wainscoting on the walls.
Although there was substantial termite damage to the
floors, the building has been deemed structurally sound by
a structural engineer. The wood floors have been removed,
disposing of the damaged floor boards, but saving almost
half to re-install. Much of the window glass is original and
most of the interior doorways have transoms. Industrial
glass is on some of the rear windows, a feature which the
Richards plan to preserve.
Some of the above was taken from an article written by Rita
LeBleu in the Lake Charles American Press (August 10,
2014)
St.James Culture and Heritage Museum
The St. James Parish Historical Society is faced with
the challenge of re-locating their St. James Culture and
Heritage Museum, established some 30 years ago on the
River Road at Lutcher. Preservationists including several
LA Trust board members and staff met recently at the site.
The group also met with the St. James Parish officials to
discuss possible options to develop future plans for this
important museum.
Historic District Certificate
NATCHITOCHES – Historic portions of Northwestern
State University’s campus will be included in the National
From left are Kirk Cordell, executive director
of the National Center for Preservation
Technology and Training; NSU President Dr.
Randall J. Webb, Sharon Gahagan, chairman
of the Historic District Commission, Dr.
Patrick Widhalm, executive director of the
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the
Arts, and project coordinator Tom Whitehead.
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Noble Building

7. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
LOUISIANA LEGACY SOCIETY:
Preservationist $250.00
Landmark Donor $500.00
Heritage Contributor $1,000.00
Presidential Circle $3,000.00
Presidential Trust $5,000.00
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP:
Individual $35.00
Family/Double $50.00
Supporting $100.00
Non-Profit $25.00
Name:______________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________
City:_______________________State:______Zip:___________
Phone:_____________________Fax:_____________________
Email:______________________________________________
Membership Category:__________________@$____________
___Check* ___AmEx ___Mastercard ___Visa
I authorize the LTHP to charge the above card for the indicated
amount for annual membership dues.
Card #:______________________________________________
Exp. Date:__________________Verification ID:_____________
____________________________________________________
Print Cardholder Name
____________________________________________________
Cardholder Signature
For Estate Gifts, Property Donations, Trusts and
Endowments, call the LTHP office at 504-256-0912
For all credit card charges, please complete and sign below.
Payment Method:
*Make checks payable to the LA Trust for Historic Preservation
and mail to P.O. Box 1587 - Baton Rouge, LA 70821