NHF Headquarters -- Cunningham Cottage

If the Christmas spirit hasn’t visited your home yet, the Natchitoches Historic Foundation invites you to an event where holiday joy inhabits every dwelling. It is the annual Christmas by Candlelight, a holiday tour of uniquely decorated homes in the Natchitoches, La., area held this year on Dec. 7-17, 2011. Proceeds from the tour benefit the preservation of cultural resources in Natchitoches, La. The event, consisting of three separate tours, will feature beautifully decorated homes. What makes Christmas by Candlelight so special and unique is that it consists of homes built last year as well as nearly 300 years ago.

Tickets:

$15 per package
$25 for a two-tour package
Three-tour packages are $35
Group rates are also available
Advance tickets can be purchased at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission Office, located at 781 Front Street, Natchitoches, La., 71457 or call 1-800-259-1714.

Tickets will also be available at each tour site the day of the event at the Natchitoches Tourist Commission and at each house on tour.

Wednesday, December 7 – 5pm-8pm

Samuel Guy House

Samuel Guy House
309 rue Pine
Built in 1850 by Samuel Eldridge Guy the house remained in the Guy family for 150 years prior to being moved by its current owners from Mansfield to Natchitoches in 2002. The house operates as a bed and breakfast.

Green Gables
201 rue Pine
Built in 1890’s by Estelle Ducourneau Plôchè this one-story Victorian house includes a wraparound front gallery, ornate fireplaces and stained glass windows. The décor includes original art and eclectic antiques and operates as a bed and breakfast.

Prudhomme Rouquier House

Prudhomme Rouquier House
446 rue Jefferson
Built circa 1790s of bousillage construction. This Save Americas Treasures property underwent an extensive restoration by the members of the Service League of Natchitoches. The house is used for weddings and special events.

Chaplain House
434 rue Second
A fine example of Victorian architecture circa 1892. Particularly interesting are the wide gallery, the original fan-shaped floor and the curved roof of the main entrance. The second floor of the Chaplin House is available for B&B accommodations.

Wednesday, December 14 – 5pm-8pm

Samuel Guy House
309 rue Pine
Built in 1850 by Samuel Eldridge Guy the house remained in the Guy family for 150 years prior to being moved by its current owners from Mansfield to Natchitoches in 2002. The house operates as a bed and breakfast.

Green Gables
201 rue Pine
Built in 1890’s by Estelle Ducourneau Plôchè this one-story Victorian house includes a wraparound front gallery, ornate fireplaces and stained glass windows. The décor includes original art and eclectic antiques and operates as a bed and breakfast.

Prudhomme Rouquier House
446 rue Jefferson
Built circa 1790s of bousillage construction. This Save Americas Treasures property underwent an extensive restoration by the members of the Service League of Natchitoches. The house is used for weddings and special events.

Friday, December 9 & 16 – 5pm-8pm

Westrop Cottage
122 rue Horne
Recently constructed, French Cottage located in the center of the downtown historic district, well appointed with historic details, architecture and furnishings.

Scott Corner Home
104 rue Poete
Recreated in a 1800s historic design in the classic Creole style, this three-story raised plantation house has a double gallery, lower level brick columns and hipped roof. Second floor rooms flow onto sheltered galleries connected to the first floor with outside stairs.

Pierson-Lee River House
630 Williams Avenue
Late 1940’s residence inspired by world renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Spectacular, exclusive panoramic views of historic Front Street with endless scenes of Christmas imagery on Cane River Lake.

Saturday, December 10 & 17 – 1pm-4pm

Winbarg Cottage
210 Jefferson Street
Located within National Landmark Historic District, this Mediterranean style stucco home was built around 1923 for E.B. Winbarg, a Natchitoches merchant, and was later owned by Alex E. Sompayrac, a prominent French farmer. This home has been completely renovated top to bottom into an updated home with original architectural features carefully preserved. The first floor offers 11’ ceilings, four fireplaces (3 with gas logs, 1 with heater) and the original wood floors.

Levy-Greaves House
405 Williams Avenue
Built in 1917, this 1-1/2 story frame bungalow style house was renovated in 2004. It retains many of the original floors and pocket doors with their original glass. The full front porch and antique French pieces add to its charm.

Levy-Sutton Home
412 Williams Avenue
Built in 1927, this 3 story, 5 bedroom home on Cane Rive underwent extensive renovation to bring 21st century amenities and a custom climate-controlled wine cellar to the original architectural design.

View photos of past Christmas Tours on Flickr

Plan now for 2012! Tour dates will be 12/5, 7 & 8 and 12/12, 14 & 15

Tickets:
$15 per package
$25 for a two-tour package
Three-tour packages are $35
Group rates are also available
Advance tickets can be purchased
at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist
Commission Office, located at
781 Front Street,
Natchitoches, La., 71457
or call 1-800-259-1714.

Tickets will also be available at each tour site the day of the event.

Wednesday 12/8 & 12/15 from 5:00-8:00 pm

Chamard Dunahoe House – 120 rue Amulet
Historic French Colonial home, circa 1788 listed on the National Register of Historic Places with a unique collection of hand crafted cypress knee Santa’s on display.

Prudhome-Rouquier House – 446 rue Jefferson
This Save Americas Treasure property was built circa 1790s of bousillage construction. It is the site of numerous holiday parties and weddings throughout the year.

Samuel Guy House (12/8) — 309 rue Pine
Built in 1850 it was the centerpiece of a working plantation located in Mansfield, La., and remained in the Guy family for 150 years. Moved to its present location and restored in 2002 and operates as a bed and breakfast.

Rusca House (12/15) — 124 rue Poete
California style bungalow built circa 1920 serves as a bed and breakfast. Royal Duncan Santa Clauses will be on display during the holidays.

Friday 12/10 & 12/17 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Cunningham-Key House – 900 Williams Avenue
Built in 1961 by the famous Louisiana architect A Hays Town overlooking scenic Cane River Lake and the downtown historic district with one of the most panoramic views of the holiday lights.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception – 613 Second Street
Circa 1857, many of the fixtures inside the church were imported from Europe, France and Germany evident in the hand-painted Stations of the Cross and the magnificent stained glass.

Murchison Townhouse – Corner of Church and Front Street
Constructed as an opera house and movie theatre in 1914, this significant property was converted into townhouses overlooking historic Front Street and the scenic Cane River Lake.

Westrop Cottage – 122 rue Horne
Recently constructed French Cottage located in the center of the downtown historic district well appointed with historic details and architecture.

Saturday 12/11 & 12/18 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Keegan Douglas House – 225 Williams Avenue
Colonial Revival, circa 1850’s with renovations in 1925 and 2010, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Levy East House – 358 rue Jefferson
Circa 1838, one of the most luxurious B&Bs in the South with beautiful holiday lights and decorations throughout the house.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Soldini House – 240 rue Jefferson
Built in 1847, the 17 rooms are decorated in Christmas traditions spanning the centuries and feature museum-quality antiques, flow blue china, antique Bibles and nativities. Purchased in 1916 by J. H. Williams, Sr., it has remained in his family for five generations. This is their 94th Christmas in the home.

If you enjoy the thrills and frights of Halloween, the Natchitoches Historic Foundation invites you to experience one of the most unique events you will attend this October. It’s the Haunted History Tour, to be held this year on Saturday, Oct. 23.

This year’s tour puts a big accent on the “haunted,” by blending historical events and folklore against the historic backdrops of the American Cemetery and Northwestern State University’s campus.

In distinctly Louisiana style, the event kicks off with a parade from 5-6 p.m. That’s right. NHF will have a funeral parade led by a trolley coach and a jazz ensemble playing New Orleans funeral marches. “Mourners” will follow with throws for the crowd. The parade will start at the circle in downtown Natchitoches and wind its way to the American Cemetery on Second Street.

At 6 p.m., the official tours begin at American Cemetery. NHF is holding two tours this time — an American Cemetery walking tour and an “Isabella” trolley tour.

Each tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets are available at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission, 781 Front Street, and at the American Cemetery during the tours. For more information or tickets, call (800) 259-1714.

The American Cemetery tour will feature actors narrating and portraying frightening events from the area’s past. For example, the “Witch of Bayou Pierre” tells the story of a “coffin girl” (a historical name for young women sent as brides to Louisiana with all their belongings in a small, coffin-like box) from France. It’s a story of a mother who seeks revenge after her daughter is married to an outlaw against her will. Another woman takes revenge in the story of the 1918 “Ax Man Murders.” And a local mystery is revisited in the “American Cemetery Hanging.”

Natchitoches’ most famous ghost gets a tour dedicated just to her this year. The Isabella tour begins at American Cemetery and winds its way through the different sites she has haunted throughout the history of Northwestern. Dr. Lynn Woods will portray Isabella and guide tourists on a trolley ride to sites like the Bullard Mansion (NSU’s historical birthplace) and the ghost’s current residence: the Old Women’s Gym on University Parkway.

While there are several variations in the story, Isabella is reputed to have become a nun after losing her beloved in a fire. After a violent storm, she was found in her room with a knife beside her and mysterious bloody handprint on the wall.

NHF is looking volunteers for the Haunted History tour. If you’d like to take part, call Payne Williams at 352-6695. Otherwise, make plans to come and have some fun. Funds raised will  support the Natchitoches Historic Foundation’s historic preservation efforts.

FOR TICKETS:

Admission $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets available at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission, 781 Front Street and at the American Cemetery during the Tour. For more information or tickets, call (800) 259-1714.

By ElizaBeth Guin, NHF board member and NSU Heritage Resources program coordinator

I have been attempting to convey to my heritage resources students the impact Mr. Bobby had on the preservation community not only in Natchitoches but in the state and across the South. I fear I don’t have the words to do him justice. But simply put, Natchitoches would be such a different place without his influence and hard work. From the creation of the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District to the establishment of the Cane River National Heritage Area and the many, many other projects he helped bring to fruition. His impact is incalculable. And perhaps the most important message we all can hold in our heart is the amazing the difference one person can make. Thank you and RIP Bobby.

If you would like to donate to NHF in memory of Bobby or become a member of NHF, please visit our Membership Page.

And feel free to share your memories of Bobby in the comment field below.

Here’s more about the man that defined heritage preservation in Natchitoches:

Robert DeBlieux – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bobby DeBlieux: A Man for All Seasons Dies in Louisiana

Robert Buford “Bobby” DeBlieux (1933 – 2010) – Find A Grave Memorial

If the Christmas spirit hasn’t visited your home yet, the Natchitoches Historic Foundation invites you to an event where holiday joy inhabits every dwelling.

It is the annual Christmas by Candlelight, a holiday tour of uniquely decorated homes in the Natchitoches, La., area held this year on Dec. 9-19, 2009. Proceeds from the tour benefit the preservation of cultural resources in Natchitoches, La.

The event, consisting of three separate tours, will feature beautifully decorated homes. What makes Christmas by Candlelight so special and unique is that it consists of homes built last year as well as nearly 300 years ago.

Tickets:
$15 per package
$25 for a two-tour package
Three-tour packages are $35
Group rates are also available
Advance tickets can be purchased
at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist
Commission Office, located at
781 Front Street,
Natchitoches, La., 71457
or call 1-800-259-1714.

Tickets will also be available at each tour site the day of the event.

2009 NHF CHRISTMAS TOUR SCHEDULE*

Wednesday, December 9 and 16, 2009 (5-8PM)

The Prudhomme-Roquier House – 446 Jefferson Street- Service League of Natchitoches
This Save Americas Treasures property was built in 1790 of bousillage construction.  An extensive restoration has occurred by members of the Service League of Natchitoches, who take pride in its elaborate décor as they ring in the Christmas season.

The Judge Porter House -  321 Second Street
The Judge Porter House is an impressive home in the National Historic Landmark District of Natchitoches, Louisiana.  A Queen Anne influence in the wraparound two-story gallery blends with Greek Revival architecture reflected in the colossal columns on massive brick pillars.   High ceilings, heart pine floors and five fireplaces showcase exquisite mid 19th century antiques and European cut crystal chandlers.

Rusca House – 124 Poete Street (Dec. 17 only)
A California Bungalow style house, it was built in circa 1920 by J.D. and Pearl Rusca. The house contains its original moldings, heart pine floors and butlers pantry, which displays more than forty Royal Duncan Santa Clauses. The house operates as a bed and breakfast and contains an elaborate garden.

Samuel Guy House – 309 Pine Street (Dec. 10 only)
This house of Greek Revival architecture was built in 1850 by Samuel Eldridge Guy. The house was the centerpiece of a working plantation in Mansfield, LA. Due to disrepair, the house was moved to Natchitoches in 2002 and completely restored. The house contains more than 5,600 square feet and is operated as a bed and breakfast.

Friday, December 11 and 18, 2009 (5-8PM)

The Scott Corner House -  104 Poete Street

Poete Street Condos – 215 Poete Street
Horse drawn carriages, stringed popcorn and cranberries, wassail, and caroling will take you to the Christmas of the 1930’s. The handcrafted and fully restored work of art that is 215 Rue Poete will enchant you with Christmas cheer and warm tidings.

Nakatosh Hotel and Don Theatre Condos
On the site of the Nakatosh Condominiums stood the LeCompte Creole Townhouse, the largest and most opulent townhouse in Natchitoches. It was built in 1822 by Ambrose LeCompte, who also owned Magnolia Plantation on lower Cane River. The townhouse was demolished in circa 1888 in order to build the Nakatosh Hotel, which thrived until the 1950s. The hotel remained closed for over thirty years until it was recently converted into condominiums, which overlook downtown and Cane River.

The Murchison Town House is located at 584 Front Street.  This exclusive private home of Tom and Vickie Murchison affords a spectaular view,from the front gallery, of Cane River and the thousands of Christmas lights.  It is located on the second floor of a former movie theatre.  The building was constructed in 1914 as a opera house and movie theater.  Its first name was the “Amusu” and  later in the 1960′s was changed to  the “Don”.  The building now has been converted into six beautiful town houses.

Saturday, December 12 and 19, 2009 (1-4PM)

Secret Garden –330 Williams Avenue
As the last surviving hand crafted Dutch Colonial residence in northwest Louisiana, this 1924 cottage has been restored by local artisans. Over 10,000 sq. ft., it features hidden rooms, secret spaces and beautiful stairways. Family antique furnishings from area plantations and original art found during the seven-year restoration make for a memorable holiday experience. Open to the public for the first time in 84 years, each room contains a Christmas tree and decorations that feature different themes.

Cypress Place – 146 Cypress Street
Built in 1908, Cypress Place is a two-story, Victorian home that features a raised porch, high ceilings, and Victorian furnishings. The front parlor is original and includes wood walls and a patched wood ceiling. The parlor contains French and English antiques.

Bungalow House – 405 Williams Avenue

*Homes subject to change

NHF will recognize the recipients of its major preservation awards at the gala.

Among the recognitions being presented are the Ann W. Brittain “Saving Natchitoches Treasures” Award, which was started in 2003 and named in honor of Ann W. Brittain, a founding member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation and a leading historic preservationist throughout her life.

NHF will also present the Knipmeyer Award for Historic Preservation in honor of one of our organization’s founding members and a leader in historic preservation in Natchitoches, Mr. Robert Knipmeyer. In 1998, Knipmeyer provided a generous financial contribution in honor of his late wife, Jane, that enabled the NHF to retire the debt incurred in restoring the Cunningham Law Office, which serves as the Foundation’s headquarters.

NHF will also introduce the winner of its Mildred Hart Bailey Scholarship. The award is given each year to a student in the NSU Master’s of Heritage Resources program. For the latest details, visit www.historicfoundation.com.

The tour will occur from 5-9 p.m. and transportation will be provided to tour sites.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and children and can be purchased from the Natchitoches Tourist Commission at 781 Front St. or by calling (800) 259-1714.  Tickets can also be purchased at the American Cemetery and the house tour sites.

The tour will focus on some of the more dramatic events in Natchitoches history. Local actors will portray the people that were central to these events at stations around American Cemetery. In many cases, these stations will be located near the graves of those being portrayed.

An interesting bonus for this year’s tour will be a station featuring members of a paranormal investigation team, who will report their findings from the Chez de Amis house on Washington St. A similar station last year was very popular.

More details are still to come. Check back at the NHF website (www.historicfoundation.org) or at the NHF group page at natchitochespreservation.com.