NATCHITOCHES – The 64th annual Fall Tour of Homes sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches will be Oct. 12-14 and this year’s Friday Candlelight Tour will feature historic buildings on the Northwestern State University campus.
The Alumni House, home of past presidents and one-time home economics resident dormitory, will be featured where guests can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Also open will be Russell Hall, built in 1927. This Jacobean structure served as a library and is currently an academic building. Here guests will taste a Natchitoches meat pie and dirty rice, compliments of NSU’s culinary arts students.
The third venue is Varnado Hall, built in 1939 as a woman’s dormitory. Last year, it was restored and reopened as a 21st century living/learning residential college for students in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Here the play “Cane River Ladies” directed by Dr. Vicki Parrish will be performed. The play tells the story of four famous women of Natchitoches Parish: Marie Therese Coin-Coin, the matriarch of Isle Brevelle; Kate Chopin, world famous author; Cammie Henry, Melrose historian and matriarch, and Clementine Hunter, world famous primitive artist. Two performances of the play will be offered at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The last stop will be Nelson Hall, formerly the Women’s Gymnasium which today houses the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. A dessert reception will honor benefactors, Cane River Art Corps and Gitter Gallery.
Guest speakers, an American Cemetery mourning tour, a tour of historic buildings, plantation tours and a dual enactment are all scheduled during Oct. 12-14. For more information, visit www.melroseplanation.org/fall-tour-destinations.
