NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Cammie G. Henry Research Center will join the city of Natchitoches in celebrating the Louisiana Bicentennial with an exhibit entitled “1812-2012 Louisiana Statehood Bicentennial Natchitoches: Paths to Statehood.”

The exhibit will be introduced during a reception from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, 645 University Parkway. The event is open and free to the public.

“The exhibition begins with the Caddo Indians of the 1540s, introduces the French and Spanish into Natchitoches, touches on the Louisiana Purchase and highlights Natchitoches during the U.S. territorial period through statehood in 1812,” said Mary Linn Wernet, Northwestern State archivist.

“Natchitoches: Paths to Statehood” will run through mid-June and may be viewed in the Cammie G. Henry Research Center on the third floor of Watson Memorial Library on the Northwestern State campus. Hours are 8 a.m. – noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon on Friday. Hours and staffing are subject to change; guests should call (318) 357-4585 or e-mail at wernet@nsula.edu before planning a visit.

From July through mid-December, the Cammie G. Henry Research Center will feature an exhibition celebrating Natchitoches up to 1850s.

For more information on the Cammie G. Henry Research Center, visit library.nsula.edu/cammie-henry-research-center/.