Welcome

Are you interested in protecting Shreveport's historic neighborhoods and structures, but are not quite sure how this can be encouraged?  During the week of May 4 - 8, Mr. Frank Gilbert, Attorney and Field Representative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will be in Shreveport to talk with City and Parish officials about the importance of historic preservation, grassroots neighborhood revitalization, and the vital role of historic preservation ordinances.   Mr. Gilbert is an expert on legal issues related to historic preservation and preservation ordinances.   Since 1984 he has directed the National Trust's Historic Districts Consulting Program and has worked with more than 75 cities  in 15 states.  

In addition to meeting with the Mayor of Shreveport, the City Council, the Caddo Parish Commission, and the Metropolitan Planning Commission,  Mr. Gilbert will tour existing historic districts, sites, and landmarks to meet with the troops on the ground, who, at the grassroots level,  are actively working to preserve Shreveport's historic neighborhoods and structures.

Mr. Gilbert will make two public presentations during his visit, the first at 2:00pm Tuesday May 5th at a Special Session of the City Council, and the second at 3:30pm Thursday May 7th before the Caddo Parish Commission.  Both presentations will occur at  Government Plaza, 505 Travis Street, Downtown Shreveport, and are open to the public.  Attendance by all interested parties is  encouraged.

Mr. Gilbert is in Shreveport by invitation of Ms. Jean Sayres, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Regional Board Member,  and with logistical support by the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society.  
  

The Thirtieth Annual Louisiana Preservation Conference, hosted by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation and the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, will be held in Alexandria from April 28 through May 1, 2009.
 
Topics for the 2009 educational sessions include: preservation architecture and design guidelines; tax credits for historic properties; statewide civil war trails; insurance practices for historic structures and much more.
 
In addition to the slate of notable speakers, there will be an opportunity to experience significant historic and cultural attractions throughout the Alexandria area, such as Kent House, the Alexandria Museum of Art, Loyd Hall Plantation, and The Diamond Grill; each a featured site on the conference agenda. The later two sites are notable tax incentive projects.
 
Also on the agenda is the Honor Awards Luncheon, to be held Thursday, April 30th in recognition of individuals and organizations that have excelled in Louisiana's preservation efforts.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION $75
Please mail or fax registration to the LTHP office by Tuesday, April 18, 2009
 
*AIA continuing education units are available.
  

The Aseana Foundation is proud to present its second Annual Asian Spring Festival to be held in Municipal Park Plaza in Downtown Shreveport.   This event will include, music, arts, dance, food and martial arts demonstrations within the park setting of beautiful flowers and cultural decorations.   The Aseana Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to the beautification of parks in the inner city of Shreveport and began renovation and revitalization of the Municipal Park Plaza in 2005.

Municipal Park Plaza is located between Texas Avenue and Milam Street at Common.   This event will begin at 11am and run until 5pm and is open to the public FREE.  Fun for all ages...  

Please join us at a benefit for the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, featuring Louisiana Secretary of State, Jay Dardenne, Thursday October 2 at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, 3015 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.  Mr. Dardenne will present "Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi"-"a lively and colorful look at Louisiana's culture, demography, history, music and politics."  Tickets for the event are a tax-deductible $50 per person and will go to benefit the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to organize a state-wide network of preservationists to promote the preservation of the heritage and historic resources of Louisiana through, education, technical assistance, outreach and advocacy.  The Louisiana Trust serves as a liason for local organizations to the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  This event will begin with a reception at 5PM followed by Mr. Dardenne at 6PM.  Reservations may be made by calling the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum at (318) 632-2020.  Tickets will also be available at the door.  

Also at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, opening September 28 and running through November 30, the exhibit "Red River to the Sea: Landscapes and Landmarks of Louisiana and Charleston."  This unique exhibit takes an interpretive journey around town with the LSU football coach, Paul Dietzel, and his daughter, Katherine Dutremble, visiting some of Shreveport-Bossier's historic landmarks and Louisiana landscapes.  Opening reception is September 28, 2-4PM in the West Wing Gallery. Free.  

The Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation is partnering with the Foundation for Historical Louisiana and the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation to offer a Tax Credit Seminar.  The seminar will include sessions on each of the three Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs, a tax credit walking tour, guidance from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and more!  This seminar will take place on September 16, 8:30AM-4:00PM, at the Old Governor's Mansion, Baton Rouge, LA. The registration fee is $75 and is on a first come, first serve basis. Seating is limited to 75 people.  Continuing education units will be available for architects, attorneys, and realtors.  See the agenda and registration information HERE!  or contact the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at (225) 387-2464.

The Friends of the Municipal Auditorium announce the return of the haunted tour, which includes local lore, municipal history, personal recounts, and recordings made during actual professional paranormal investigations.  Cameras and recorders are welcome.  Admission $10, 6PM, Municipal Auditorium, 705 Elvis Presley Avenue, Shreveport.  Call (318) 220-9434 or Lynn Laird at (318) 458-1666.

Secretary of State, Jay Dardenne, will be in the Germantown Colony for a special announcement ceremony on Friday August 8.   At the ceremony Dardenne will announce that the State Legislature, in passing Act 847 in a recent session, has recognized that it is appropriate to establish a museum to chronicle the history of the Germantown Colony, the city of Minden and Webster Parish.  As a result, the Germantown Colony and Museum will be accepted into Louisiana's network of historical sites and museums. Acceptance into the state system will increase the visibility of the site and make it eligible for inclusion in state tourism activities.  Germantown is one of three colonies in the nation founded in the 19th century by the Utopian Movement of the Harmonist Society that began in Germany.  For more information about the Germantown Colony and Museum, call (318) 377-6061.

The Spring Street Historical Museum is currently hosting the exhibit "Automobumming:  Tourism and Historic Highway 80". This exhibit celebrates the regional roadside attractions that flourished along U.S. Route 80, a major east-west artery that once spanned from Atlanta to San Diego before the construction of present-day Interstate 20. Exhibited materials include photographs and memorabilia of the hotels, gas stations and diners found along the local segment that once served citizens and travellers alike. The Spring Street Museum is located at 525 Spring Street in downtown Shreveport and is open from 10am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is FREE.

The Highland Restoration Association is currently hosting the exhibit "Highland's Historic Bungalows" at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 3201 Centenary Blvd.   Consisting of color photographs by Highland resident, James Eakin, this exhibit will be on view thru July 31.  An opening reception will be held Saturday July 12, 1-3pm.  Sweets will be provided by Lila's Cakes and Chocolates.  The Karpeles Manuscript Museum is open Tuesday thru Saturday 10am to 4pm and currently Sunday, 1pm to 4pm.  For more information please call the museum at (318) 861-7615.  Admission to this exhibit is FREE.  

The Bridges-McKellar House, located near Hope Street in the Ledbetter Heights neighborhood of Shreveport, has been listed as one of the 2008 Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites in Louisiana by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation. Please visit the website of the Louisiana Trust to learn more about this endangered building and other such buildings throughout the state.

Property owners and residents may submit an application outlining plans for significant, highly visible home improvements to their property.  Only homes within the boundaries of the neighborhood will be considered.  This includes the area south of I-20, east of I-49, west of Youree Drive, and north of Kings Highway.  Among other things, judges will consider overall benefit to the neighborhood and prior improvements to the property(s).  Deadline for submission is  June 10, 2008. 

Applicants must agree to complete their work and submit receipts no later than August 15, 2008. Awards will be paid on a reimbursement basis after work is entirely complete, receipts have been submitted, and work/receipts are reviewed. Applications will be available after April 20, 2008.  They may be obtained through the organization’s web site www.highlandareapartnership.org, at the HAP office located at 106 East Kings Highway (Centenary Square, Centenary College campus) or at Lila’s Cakes and Chocolates at 440 Olive Street.
 
The contest was created in 1996 as part of HAP’s mission to aid in revitalization of Shreveport’s historic Highland neighborhood.  In the 12 years since, the organization has distributed 81 awards totaling more than $40,000.  The awards have helped with everything from landscape to major repairs.  The organizers have noticed a change in the type and scope of the projects since then.  “In the beginning, we had requests for general maintenance.  Now, we have people wishing to complete large scale change,” said HAP Committee Chair Kenneth Koonce.  The organization attributes this to fact that people are rediscovering the charm of historic Highland.  “We have it all!  Charming, well-built homes with established landscape, trendy boutiques and delicious restaurants are right around the corner. Plus, you have a safe, friendly, and pedestrian-oriented area,” Koonce added.
 
In addition to the annual Home Improvement Program, HAP also hosts the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival in November, as well as numerous other improvement and advocacy services for the historic Highland neighborhood.  Highland Area Partnership is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.  Recent changes in grants have meant the loss of funding for administrative staff.  Our Executive Director, Dorothy McDonald, has resigned, but plans to remain active as a HAP member and volunteer.  For more information about the HAP Home Improvement Program or other HAP activities and membership, please contact the Highland Area Partnership.
 
FURTHER INFORMATION:  Kenneth Koonce
                                                    Highland Area Partnership, Inc.
                                                    Tel. (318) 869-5706
                                                    E-mail:  hap@bayou.org
 

A must see for anyone interested in the form of the cities we call home.  minicine? will screen the new documentary Radiant City by the Canadian duo, Gary Burns and Jim Brown, at the Columbia Cafe, Monday May 5.   The doors open at 7PM and the film rolls at 8PM. A $5 Donation is requested and will go to benefit the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society.

This documentary explores the phenomenon of post WWII suburbia and the ways we have adapted our lives to its reality or not....  This is a thoughtful and intelligent film, which brings to the discussion positive viewpoints and proposals.  It is possibly one of the most creative attempts to take on this vast subject that will hit screens anytime soon.

Please plan to join minicine? and members of the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society to view this film, relax and visit... The Columbia Cafe will staff a cash coffee and wine bar.   Door proceeds will benefit the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society.

The Aseana Foundation will host its annual Aseana Spring Festival in the Texas Avenue Historic District from 11AM - 4PM on Saturday April 5th.  Celebrating spring, multiculturalism and diversity, activities throughout the day will include, yoga, dance, music, arts and culinary delights. All of this will be backdropped by new landscaping in full bloom which has been installed in the park by the Aseana Foundation. Municipal Park Plaza is located at the intersection of Common, Milam and Texas Avenue in Downtown Shreveport.  All ages welcome.