Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and Caddo Indian Memorial Plaza.

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

Jeffery S. Girard http://www.projectpast.org/caddo/topic5/girard1997.pdf

Prehistoric+Caddoan+Village+on+Fish+Hatchery

http://library.fws.gov/Hatcheries/Natchitoches_facts.pdf

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

1.5 mi – about 5 mins

See my Platial Map!

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Karen Kilpatrick, Hatchery Manager

615 South Drive

Natchitoches, LA 71457

Phone: 318.352.5324

www.fws.gov/natchitoches

4) Site Description:

The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is a federal facility under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their main goal is to spawn 16 different species of fish and reptiles and prepare them for release back into the wild. The aqarium and cultural exhibits within the main building depict a Caddoan Village and a mock archaeological test unit.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

The ease of finding information ranked with the easiest that I had ever encountered in my pre-site reports. Finding not one, but two books on the subject was incredible.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The quality and quantity of information was unsurpassed. Jeff S. Girard’s work and articles on the site as well as James A. Ford’s book helped me tremendously to understand the dynamics of the site in both modern and prehistoric times.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

My expectations upon ariving are high. This site is very important for both natural and cultural reasons and it represents a crossroads between cultural resources and their management as well as natural resources and biology and it’s management in relation to the first. The site looks to be large and I expect to see a lot of fish and reptiles in the aquarium as well as in the ponds. I also expect to see something relating to the Caddoan nation and their involvement with the site.

Hello, World!

Anthropology and archaeology are fun!

Ft. Jesup State Historic Site

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iFtjesup.aspx

http://www.toledo-bend.com/attractions/index.asp?request=jesup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Jesup

http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/fortjesup.php/

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~boorom/lahistftjesup.html

http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/caneriver/for.htm

 

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

22.9 mi – about 39 mins

http://tinyurl.com/yzkj9kt

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Kerry M

32 Geoghagan Rd., Many, LA 71449
318-256-4117 or 888-677-5378 toll free

Email: fortjesup@crt.state.la.us

4) Site Description (in your own words):

Fort Jesup is an early American fort built by Zachary Taylor in 1822. Its purpose was to enforce–as best it could–law and order in the former neutral strip between Spanish land and Louisiana (American land).

The current site is a National Historic Landmark and  maintained by the Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The museum is a reconstruction of some officer’s quarters and the only intact historic building remaining is the kitchen.

 

5) Ease of Finding Information, Quality/Quantity of Information:

The ease of finding of information was quite easy and the quality and quantity of information was plentiful and excellent. There is no shortage of online information and journals that I ran across in my research of the site.

6) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I believe that visitors–as well as myself–will find the site to be a wonderful example of an early 1820s American site. The interpreters at the visitor’s center/museum seem really interesting. As a student who loves history, archaeology and anthropology, I was excited to see that there is on-going research being done at the site by Dr. Tommy Hailey and the Cultural Resource Office.

Poverty Point, White Sulphur Springs, Jena Band of Choctaw Cultural Center Pre-site

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://www.lpb.org/programs/povertypoint/pp_transcript.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_Point

http://tinyurl.com/yf5l2uq

http://www.crt.state.la.us/Parks/ipvertypt.aspx

<embed id=VideoPlayback src=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=1582767108902360728&hl=en&fs=true style=width:400px;height:326px allowFullScreen=true allowScriptAccess=always type=application/x-shockwave-flash> </embed>

http://www.nps.gov/history/delta/volume2/apdxf.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw

http://www.thepineywoods.com/sulphur.htm

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

3 hours 28 mins–Poverty Point

1 hour 43 mins–White Sulphur Springs

1 hour 51 mins–Jena  Band of Choctaw Indian’s Tribal/Cultural Center

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

The State of Louisiana owns Poverty Point, while the White Sulphur Spring site is held in private hands. The Jena Band of Choctaw own their tribal center.

4) Site Description (in your own words):

Poverty Point is a Late Archaic, prehistoric archaeological site that contains the biggest man-made earthworks in North America. The site consists of semi-circular rings that overlook an abandoned river channel. The site contains many mounds, such as Sarah’s mound and Bird mound.

White Sulphur Springs was a famous resort town in the 1830s. Currently it’s being explored to see what new, archaeological information it can provide.

The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Cultural and Administrative Center is the headquarters for the federally-recognized tribe.

5) Ease of Finding Information; Quality/Quantity of Information:

Finding information both pertinent and acceptable was quite easy. The quality and quantity were both in excess, so I actually had to cut the amount of sources I linked down to an acceptable amount.

6) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

My expectations based on the available information are very high. The sites–especially Poverty Point–seem very interesting. White Sulphur Springs seems to be a site that has little information, so the archaeology and other work will expand the knowledge of the site. For the Jena Band of Choctaw, I expect a great tour that will expand my knowledge of the federal tribal recognition program.

Magnolia Plantation rap-up

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

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

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&ved=0CBUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caneriverheritage.org%2F&ei=_LfhSrTsJYmaMLCLyLMB&usg=AFQjCNFfNs8rCkT1akvhpagsbT2Vt0YJ2Q

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

About 5.5 miles

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

APHN (Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches)

APHN.com

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The Magnolia Plantation consists of 7 brick slave cabins, the overseer’s house, and the cook’s cabin. The site was given to the NPS as a donation. Congress had always wanted to make a national park that interpreted the history and life of the Creoles of Cane River and this was a great opportunity.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

The information was very hard to find. I checked many different search engines and little to nothing was provided. 1/5

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The quality and quantity were both low. The one, quality source that I managed to find was of great quality and it was the NPS source.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I expect a very interactive and entertaining as well as informative site.

St. Savior Baptist Church and Cemetery; US Corps of Engineer’s Grand Ecore Visitor’s Center.

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/lakes/la/grandecore/

http://www.ccdarchitects.com/experience/civic/details.php?id=12

http://www.explorenatchitoches.com/attractions/red-river-waterway/

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

5.5m or 11 mintes

http://tinyurl.com/yg74cn9

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Grand Ecore Visitor Center
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway
106 Tauzin Island Road
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457
318-354-8770

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The visitor’s center at Grand Ecore is a fantastic site. Outside you can see the Civil War earthworks and fortifications while inside you can see wonderfully laid out exhibits. The pictures and the displays are really great.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

A 0/5 for St. Savior’s church and Cemetery and a 4/5 for Grand Ecore

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

0/5 & 4/5 again, respectfully.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I believe this site will be wonderful. From the information avaliable it seems as though the site’s layout helps to enhance your visitation experience.

Ft. St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitches Parish Tax Assessor, & Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court

This evaluation will include a rating of the accuracy/usefulness of the information gathered prior to the site visit, a critical review of how that information met or did not meet visitor expectations, and an overall assessment of your experience.

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

From a public-user perspective I found the site–as a whole–to be great. The visitor’s center and museum were phenominal.  Mr. Rick gave a great tour of the museum and explained the pros and cons of the exhibits and why their needs to be a better dialogue between museum directors and exhibit designers. We also watched a video explaining the fort, museum and its significance through history to Natchitoches.

The walk to the actual fort could have been better–we went when it was raining. The tour inside the fort, though, was great. The tour-guide was a period interpreter and quite good. He lead us through the site explaining what each of the structures were used for as well as what the people in them were like.

- Do you have any sense of the mission of the site?

The site’s mission is to interpret what the former fort(s) function, location and activities would have been. It and the visitor’s center are there to inform everyone that the pre-colonial period in the fort and town’s history was multivocal.

- If possible, chat with a fellow visitor about the site. What is their impression of the site? How did they come to visit the site?

As luck would have it, I met two couples from Toulouse, France while we were visiting the site. They commented on the bilingual placards inside the visitor’s center (they’re in french and english) and that they loved the interpreter as well as when he shot the musket. I gather that they had quite a good time and it must have been a great experience seeing not only an early colonial reconstructed fort, but a French one to boot.

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

The service by the staff was excellent as well as the tour that was given. The site was well maintained and very accessible. The site–while being a reconstruction–does a good job of at least showing what the fort would have probably looked like were it around today.

- List concerns and recommendations, if any, to improve visitor experiences (e.g., locating the site, access, interpretation, exhibits, printed materials, etc.)

I would like to see more interpreters at the site–possibly have it do more “public days”. I would also like to see the site have an exhibit outside if possible to show where the likly location of the fort is.

Overall though I believe doing more public outreach events would help the site out tremendously.

Ft. St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitches Parish Tax Assessor, & Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/LA_Natchitoches.htm

http://www.natchitochesassessor.org/

http://www.louisianatravel.com/fort-st-jean-baptiste-state-historic-site

http://wikimapia.org/5515200/Fort-St-Jean-Baptiste-State-Historic-Site

http://www.explorenatchitoches.com/attractions/cane-river-national-heritage-area/ft-st-jean-baptiste/

http://www.forttours.com/pages/fortbaptiste.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_St._Jean_Baptiste_State_Historic_Site

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

0.6 mi – about 3 mins

http://tinyurl.com/ygk3kc8

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Open Daily 9AM-5PM
155 rue Jefferson Natchitoches, LA 71457
Toll-Free: (888) 677-7853
Tel: (318) 357-3101

4) Site Description (in your own words):

In 1716, Sieur Charles Claude Dutisné established a fort in the town of Natchitoches named Ft. St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches as  a means of keeping the Spanish from impeding into French lands from their territory to the west–Texas.

Three forts and a little under 300 years later Ft. St. Jean Baptiste Historic Site was established on the outcropping of land thought to be the location of the first fort built on the Red River.

From what I gather the site has historic interpreters dressed in period garb and performing tasks that would be appropriate for people of the 18th century.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

On a scale of 1-5, 5 being the hardest, I would say the ease of finding information would be about a 3.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The quality of the information for any of these three locations were about average. None of them were mind-blowing in their descriptive detail, but none of them were so horrible that a visitor couldnt get at least a basic impression of what they could expect.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I believe that visitors will get to see an accurate reconstruction of what a French fort from the early 1700s would look like. I also believe that they will get an educational as well as informative and entertaining tour that will enlighten them to the culture and conditions that  person stationed there might face.

Melrose Plantation & Badin-Roque

This evaluation will include a rating of the accuracy/usefulness of the information gathered prior to the site visit, a critical review of how that information met or did not meet visitor expectations, and an overall assessment of your experience.
- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

Granted that the location of the resource is remote, once on the site the facility pops at the user. Our tour-guide wasnt the usual person so I cant say what a “normal” group would get but my experience was great. Dr. Parrish lead us to and through most of the out-buildings and the main house. The Melrose site is very interesting to say the least.
- Do you have any sense of the mission of the site?

The mission of the site–from what I gather from the APHN perspective–is that the structure was going to be torn down and the members of the organization were given a magnificent resource. APHN is doing the best that they can with what they have to ensure that the community knows about this resource. The mission of the site then is to keep it “going” by having tours and maintenance while restoring it to the time when it was an artists colony.

– If possible, chat with a fellow visitor about the site. What is their impression of the site? How did they come to visit the site?

After talking with some fellow classmates their opinion of the site seems to be remarkably similar to mine. The overall impression I got from their answers was that they see the site as a great local resource, but it is in danger because of the limited resources that the caregivers of the site possess. Meaning that without proper funds and help to secure, guide and maintain the site–it is quickly on the road to ruin.

– Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

The grounds of the site as well as the inside of the house was very well kept. The tour-guide was extremely knowledgeable of the site. I personally loved the cat that followed us around outside. The condition of the artifacts was very well maintained.

– List concerns and recommendations, if any, to improve visitor experiences (e.g., locating the site, access, interpretation, exhibits, printed materials, etc.)

My main concern would be for the upstairs of the Africa House and here’s why. The mural painted by Clemmy Hunter surrounds the room, yet there is no exterior cover to protect it from insects or the elements, much less the lighting or any other variable that would harm the artwork.  The roof is still in disrepair and the supports are unsightly.

I think a pamphlet that could be given to visitors would make the experience somewhat better. Overall, though I had a great time and this was defiantly a site worth seeing. My only regret is that I waited so long to go.

Melrose Plantation & Badin-Roque

Melrose Plantation & Badin-Roque

1) Resources Consulted (web pages [list URL], personal contacts, brochures, newspaper/radio/television advertisements, etc.):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36022224@N06/3329148498/

http://www.nsula.edu/regionalfolklife/crcc/BadinRoque.html

http://www.stoppingpoints.com/louisiana/Natchitoches/Badin-Roque+House.html

http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/melrose.php/

http://www.melroseplantation.com/

http://www.melroseplantation.com/realtyindex.html

http://www.nsula.edu/regionalfolklife/crcc/Melrose.html

2) Location (Yahoo/Google Maps, etc.) and Distance from NSU

http://tinyurl.com/ydkjkcb

http://tinyurl.com/y984ktp

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN)

St. Augustine Historical Society

4) Site Description (in your own words):

The Melrose Plantation’s story starts with the story of Marie Therese Coincoin and the history of the Creole people of Cane River.

Badin-Roque is a poteaux-en-terre home and one of only 5 in the country. It has bousillage walls which are made of mud/spanish moss and deer hair.

5) Ease of Finding Information:

5/5 The amount of relevant information on these sites are numerous, easy-to-find, and full of information.

6) Quality/Quantity of Information:

The information quality is of the utmost caliber. Highly detailed and accurate information is a great boon.

7) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I expect that the Melrose site tour will be great because of the story surrounding the Metoyer heritage story and the Marie Therese Coincoin

For Badin-Roque I expect a short tour because the site doesnt seemed so developed.