GHOST OF HOMES & GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Photo#1 - Large group - Compliments of Jackie Lewis
Big group photo shot #2
Small Group Shot
Women's Historic District
Ghost Of Home & Garden Tour
Historic Residential Association and Dorcheat Historical Museum Association
working together for Ghost of Home and Garden Tour held May 19, 2007
The Historic Residential Association announced Schelley Brown as the new
President for 2007 in January. Brown will replace 2006 President Linda Miller
and was recently hired to be the executive director for the all-new Dorcheat
Historical Association Museum. The combined efforts of these two groups will
soon be evident with the Ghost of Home and Garden Tour scheduled for the third
Saturday in May. This historic home tour will have a new twist in home tours.
You will not only get to see at least four of Minden’s oldest and stateliest
homes, but you will also get to meet the ghost of owners past! Anyone who has
been to the Minden Cemetery Ghost Walk will be familiar with the concept of
bringing history to life. Brown stated, “I believe showing history in this
manner makes it real for people. They seem to appreciate the importance of what
they are seeing, whether it is a wonderful 150-year-old home or a grave marker
at the cemetery. This new combined effort is the historic district’s way of
showing support for the soon to open Dorcheat Museum.” Brown also stated, “The
history of Minden’s homes and the people who lived there is so important. This
is just a small way to preserve the past for future generations.” We currently
have four commitments from homeowners.” The tour times will be noon-5 p.m. with
a vintage trolley available to carry passengers from home to home. You will be
able to park downtown and enjoy the day as you travel back in time. We are
urging everyone to dress up for the day. This is a great opportunity to dress in
your favorite era and get into the fun of the day. So dig out your grandmother’s
old hats and gloves and come in style. Tickets will be available at each home at
the cost of $10 each.
This will also just be a sample of what this group will have in store for the
Christmas Tour “Ghost of Christmas Past” scheduled for the second Saturday in
December of 2007. We expect these two historic tours to become something to look
forward to every year.
The efforts of these two organizations will also soon be something everyone can
enjoy. Minden will soon have cell phone tours in the near future for all of the
significant sites and surrounding areas of interest for visitors as well as
citizens. This new technology will put Minden on the cutting edge of much larger
cities. The two historic associations have already begun the work for getting
this new and exciting addition to Minden up and running. This will make a huge
impact on our area for tourists as well as providing a wonderful learning tool
for our schools. Many of the historic homes’ histories will be featured with
sound effects and background music. Also, many of our important downtown area
buildings will be included, as well as little known facts about the area. If it
is historic or important to Minden and the Dorcheat Museum, it will have a place
on this audio tour. This tour will also be available for those without cell
phones in CD format. More on this high-tech addition to Minden will be coming
soon!
The Minden Historic Residential District Association is responsible for
preserving the history of the historic homes and their owners. Many of these
homeowners are quick to help with other historic endeavors. They are the life
force behind the Minden Cemetery Ghost Walk. They are also responsible for the
improvements and the lighting and decorations in Academy Park. Bill Green is
considered the “Mayor of Academy Park.” The association is also responsible for
the new street signage that indicates when you have entered the historic
district. These signs were installed earlier in the year. A current project to
erect a state of Louisiana Historical Marker is now in the works for Academy
Park. If you live in the district and you love history, you are urged to become
involved with the two groups.
The members of the historic district and the Dorcheat Historic Association will
also begin gathering information and pictures for one of the exhibits that will
be featured in the museum when it opens later in 2007. This project will be
documenting when the homes were built, as well as researching the past owners.
Pictures, precious artifacts and documents will be very important in putting
this exhibit together and preserving this important part of Minden’s past. The
two groups urge anyone with pictures or any items of interest related to the
older homes in Minden to contact them. These joint efforts will continue to
benefit both historic groups for many years to come.
The H.R.D.A.’s only source of funding for these projects has been the Christmas
Tour of Homes. This year they will add this new tour. Minden has many homes that
have never been seen on tour. The goal of the “Ghost of Home and Garden Tour” is
to include some of these beautiful landmark homes and also teach a little
history at the same time. It is very exciting to be able to have the privilege
to bring this part of history alive for everyone. It is only natural that these
different organizations work together to keep history alive for our future. So
remember to save the date for Saturday, May 19, 2007. You don’t want to miss the
“Ghost of Home and Garden Tour.” The Historic Residential Association meets the
third Tuesday of every month at a designated home in the district. The Dorcheat
Historical Association meets the 2nd Monday of every month and The Historic
Residental District meets the 3rd Tuesday. Come join the fun, and be a part of
preserving our history. For more information you can contact Schelley Brown at
423-0192.
Ghost of Home and Garden Tour
Saturday May 19th, 2007
Noon – 5p.m.
$10.00 Tickets available at each home day of tour
Tour Historic Homes In The Heart Of Minden’s Historic District
Learn the history behind these homes from the ghost of past owners.
See actors and actresses bring history to life!
The History of Academy Park
416 Broadway Miller – Inabnett Home Built in Mid 1850’s
1111 Broadway Vance – Sugg Home Built Pre Civil War
315 East & West Street Creighton Home Built in 1925
311 East & West Street Davis – Green Home Built in 1901
416 Broadway Miller – Inabnett Home Built in Mid 1850’s
311 East & West Street Davis – Green Home Built in 1901
or 315 East & West Street Crichton Home Built in 1925
1111 Broadway Vance – Sugg Home Built Pre Civil War