Thankful for Natchitoches Heritage: Volunteers, Knowledge Bearers, and Community

Thanksgiving is a time to think about our shared heritage. It’s a time to take stock of where we came from and determine where we’re going. Though a lot of things are uncertain in the world right now, folks who value Natchitoches heritage still have a lot to be grateful for. Here’s are a few things I’m celebrating this holiday.

Homeowners “on tour.”

How would you feel about opening your home to hundreds of strangers in the midst of holiday busyness? I couldn’t do it. But there are many folks in our area that do so for the home tours that benefit local historic organizations. Many of them do this repeatedly, with little or no reward for their sacrifice. Considering how much income the folks coming to these tours generate throughout the city, these homeowners deserve our thanks.

Enduring legacy of those who have passed.

Speaking of sacrifice, so many people have devoted their lives to promoting Natchitoches heritage, it would be impossible to list them all. There are folks like Saidee Newell, whose passing earlier this year certainly left a void in our community. But for every Saidee Newell and Ann Brittain who publicly fought for the preservation of our heritage, there have been countless folks like my grandfather who quietly told their stories of the Great Depression and laboring to make molasses out on Bayou Bourbeaux. Their stories give us confidence that commitment to community can survive, no matter what.

Partnerships

The Natchitoches Preservation Network could not exist without the spirit of partnership cultivated by the many organizations and individuals who care for our heritage resources. Natchitoches is becoming noted for its ability to leverage these partnerships to make big things happen. We’re a Preserve America community and a Great American Main Street, among many other recognitions. That doesn’t happen as the result of one organization working in a vacuum. I was recently contacted by Past Horizons magazine in Scotland to write a story on the “Beneath the Bricks” group and its efforts to educate people about the archaeology happening on Front Street. So Natchitoches partnerships are becoming recognized internationally as well.

Natchitoches Preservation Network readers and members.

I’m so very thankful for the folks who join and participate in the Natchitoches Preservation Network website. Carey Blanchard joined the site this week, bringing the membership to 100. As always, memberships are free and allow you to post content to the site. However, all the content is viewable without a membership. According to the web metrics program, Google Analytics, we have regular readers from all over the U.S. and parts of Europe. If you would like to join, visit www.natchitochespreservation.ning.com and click the “sign up” button.