Rebel State Historic Site

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

I didnt know what to expect upon entering Rebel, but I was floored by what I saw–the building is shaped like a treble cleft. Inside I was greeted by country music’s history, a video that explained it, and a great tour guide. The exhibits were wonderful and featured some amazing instruments such as a homemade fiddle and John Cash’s pearl-snap shirt. The exhibits also went into a little background detail on the motivations of the different music styles by showcasing the lives in which the people lived and their reasons for wanting to play music.

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

The mission of the site is unique in that its old purpose was to serve as the site of an unknown Confederate soldier’s grave. From that the site grew to serve the mission as the country music museum, to interpret the history of country music in the state, educate, and provide for a venue that artists could perform at.

- 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?

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

1. There is a “musical petting zoo” which is a wall of different instruments that guests are free to play. 2. The site offers a unique view into a history I’m sure not many people in the state know that we have. 3. A covered outdoor venue allows for bands and performers so that live music can be shared 4. The care about the motivations of the musicians and not just their accomplishments was a great change of pace. To see that deep down they are just people too is important. 5. The transition from the grave-site of a Confederate soldier and the history of the site as a gathering place of music was a fitting place to build a music museum.

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

Other than seeing bands actually be able to perform in the amphitheater, I believe the site is top-notch and one I recommend to any music enthusiast in the state.

Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and Caddo Memorial Plaza

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

Upon first arriving the site looks a little inconspicuous. There are trees, buildings, ponds and fences.

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

After an hour and a half presentation I know exactly what the mission of the site is: restore depleted populations of different threatened and endangered aquatic species, develop culture techniques for other species, improve recreational fishing opportunities on federal lands, develop environmental education that promotes the Service’s natural resource mission and utilizes hatchery facilities as an outdoor classroom for all Natchitoches Parish Schools.

- 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?

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

1. The natural resource work done there on species such as the pallid sturgeon is of great significance 2. recognition of the past wrongs done to the Caddo Nation in the past and a bridge of friendship to the present via the Memorial Plaza 3. The allowing of Mr. Jeff Girard to conduct a prehistoric field-school. 4. Educational outreach programs 5. a dedicated staff to fulfilling a multifaceted approach to natural and heritage-related resources.

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

Although our tour was unique, I believe that the general public would have a great experience there. One suggestion I would make would be to allow people to view the spawning tanks and put rubber trails down between them.

Poverty Point/Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Administration Center/White Sulphur Springs/Military Museum

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

This was a large trip, so I’ll do this in parts. The first stop on our tour was the Camp Beauregard Military Museum. My experience here was a pleasent suprise. The Sargent that gave the tour was extremely knowledgeable of the history and importance of the Camp, of military and of US history in general. The next stop was the JBoCTTAC. Here we were met by Marie Richards, a MAHR thesis candidate. We toured the center and learned about Marie’s thesis project, the history of the tribe and of the importance of the center to their current work. Next we were off to Courtney Cloy’s thesis site of White Sulphur Springs. Courtney told us about the history of the site, the hydrophothy movement in America and about the work that he was doing there. Finally we reached the end of our tour–Poverty Point. Poverty Point is an extremely important site for archaeology, as it represents one of the oldest sites of human occupation in the entire western hemisphere. We got a tour of the site by foot and by trolly. Climbed Mound A, or “Bird Mound”, saw a deer and learned the history of this site through the material culture and artifacts that archaeologists have excavated.

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

The mission at the military museum was to shine a light on the military history and happenings in the central part of Louisiana. The mission of the JBoCTTAC is one of tribal administration and to educate on the tribe and its history. White Sulphur Springs as a site really has no mission, but through people like Mr. Cloy, one other than a gazebo on the side of the road, is emerging. The mission at Poverty Point is a complex one that tells about an early time in archaeology’s own history as a profession and science, about the history and life-ways of a people long sense forgotten and of the possibilities of early human societies that were never thought possible.

- 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?

My classmates were thoroughly impressed with the museums at two of the sites, as was I. The information at the JBoCTTAC was great, but Marie tended to drift off of subject. White Sulphur Springs was “a muddy experience” in the words of one of my classmates and and affirmation to why she doesnt want to do archaeology.  Overall I believe they had a great time as I did.

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

1. My unnaturally low expectations of the Military museum left me amazed at the work actually done there 2. The complexities in tribal relationships left me knowledgeable after my visit to JBoCTTAC 3. Sites that are endangered, like White Sulphur Springs showed me that if you care about something it’s worth getting down and dirty to protect it. 4. Poverty Point is a multifaceted cite that I can not begin to talk greatly about. It was a completely awe-inspiring visit. 5. Louisiana is filled to the brim with amazing sites that I always discounted as being “too far away” to ever visit. I cannot believe how wrong I ever was.

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

Surprisingly I have no concerns or recommendations to make. Everywhere I went the experiences were great and when the general public follows I believe they’ll have as good a time as I.

St. Savior Cemetery & US Army Corps of Engineer’s Grand Ecore Visitor Center

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

The Grand Ecore Visitor Center on the J. Bennett Johnson Waterway is a fantastic, 21st-century center that overlooks a very prominent and historic place. The new building and exhibits look fantastic and the interactive,  multimedia displays were great explanation tools.

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

The mission of the Center is to inform visitors and tax payers on the mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Grand Ecore area and show the history of the area and region.

- 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 ran into a group of women from Baton Rouge named the “Rambling Readers Book Club” at the center one afternoon. The ladies stated that they were a mixed group of active and retired teachers and principles from around the Baton Rouge area who had a book club. The club would read books with different themes from around the state, and as luck had it they were reading on Natchitoches and the Civil War and they found that the Visitor’s Center was close to town and had excellent displays that went along with that theme.

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

1. Modern amenities 2. Fantastic view of the Red River from multiple spots along the bluff. 3. Wonderful history and displays, exhibits and a walking trail. 4. A knowledgeable staff of interpreters 5. Finally, a great use of tax dollars.

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

My concerns of the site are limited, because I feel the site overall is a good visit. As a student of archaeology, I felt that the archaeological diorama was a little misleading. The tools were fine, but the stratigraphy was not present, and this is a key concept in the science.

Ft. Jesup

- Record your first impressions from a public user perspective.

My first impressions were amazing. You enter the site between two huge cut sandstone pillars and see the rebuilt officers quarters museum and to the left you can see the gentle slope of the hills to the pararde grounds and see the kitchen. Upon entering the museum, Mrs. Irene–the interpreter there greets you and we were free to walk about it. The displays show what the quarters may have looked like with open air exhibits. There are examples of tools and weapons as well as a desk and bed. It is equally as impressive upstairs.

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

My sense about the mission of the site is to to interpret the life and history of the soldiers that would have lived at Fort Jesup, not just occupied it. There were there for about 20 years, so they built a life there. I also believe they care about the archaeological work that Dr. Hailey does on the site and how it helps to add to the history of the site as well.

- 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?

In chatting with a fellow classmate, they felt that the site was very well done despite the obvious lack of funding.

- Cite at least five positive aspects about the site.

1. Ongoing archaeological research. 2. friendly and accomodating staff. 3. excellent exhibits that show the lifeways of the soldiers and inhabitants. 4. beautiful grounds 5. the kitchen was very well preserved and interpreted.

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

With the looming budget cuts to State Historic Sites, the service that the Ft. can offer is limited. Despite that, I believe Kerry and Mrs. Irene do a fantastic job for visitors at the site. It looks fabulous and given the amount of history is a wonderful place.

Rebel State Historic Site

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

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

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

http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/pointsofinterest.php/26/

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

http://attractions.uptake.com/landmarks/louisiana/marthaville/rebel_state_historic_site_7965348.html

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

Check my Platial Map to the right!

3) Owner/Manager (include contact information):

–Direct from Louisiana’s CRT website:

Rebel State Historic Site
1260 Hwy. 1221, Marthaville, LA 71450
318-472-6255 or 888-677-3600 toll free

Email: rebel@crt.state.la.us

Directions: The site is located three miles northwest of Marthaville on LA 1221, near Many. It is 10 miles from Robeline and 25 miles west of the historic town of Natchitoches and I-49. GPS Coordinates: N 31 44.978, W 93 25.231.

Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Guided tours are offered daily.

Entrance Fees: $2 per person; free for seniors (62 and over) and for children age 12 and under. Groups are asked to call in advance.

4) Site Description (in your own words):

Rebel is Louisiana’s state Country Music museum. This is a really nice feature because Louisiana is integral in the birth and grown of country music due in no small part to the Louisiana Hayride. Suffice to say it has launched stars.

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

The ease, quality and quantity of information readily avaliable differ. The sources found were fast–yes, but they lacked complete descriptions of the site.

6) Visitor Expectations Based on Available Information:

I expect to be pleasantly surprised when I arrive because I’m intimately familiar with the “Cajun” variation on country music and Rock-a-billy as my grandfather is a musician from the time period. The unique treble cleft shaped building is fun. I didn’t know that they had an outdoor state and I think it would be great to return when and if they have live bands.

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.