These past months have been like a whirlwind for me as the Chair of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana. There have been so many activities and so much involvement by the board and members of this organization. It is obvious that the residents of this community believe that “This Place Matters.”

Over the course of the past six or seven months, members of the Board decided that we needed to provide monthly lectures on a variety of preservation topics as a benefit to members of the Foundation. Nonmembers are allowed to attend, but are required to pay $10 (we’re hoping they will be encouraged to join the FHL and attend at no cost). Thanks to the monumental, organizational skills of board member, Jill Rehn, we have had lectures on termites (that sent me and husband home filled with fear and resolve to make sure we’re safe!); on the story behind the building and, sadly, the destruction by Kansas City Southern Railroad of Baton Rouge’s very own geodesic dome as told by our board member Dr. Michael Desmond; on the history of the Perkins Road Overpass area; and on the Green Movement and Historic Preservation. We had a lecture on historic Shushan Lakefront Airport, and, a few weeks later, a group of us boarded a motor coach and toured the airport and dined at Ralphs on the Park afterward. We were recently treated to an informative lecture by David Madden on Lincoln’s special reconstruction plans for Louisiana. This was the first lecture in Louisiana to celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial. For those hands-on preservationists out there, we will have a seminar on Historic Tax Credits on September 16.

Everyone is abuzz about the grand re-opening of City Park. This re-opening will showcases an historic golf course that could have been demolished if it were not for the vocal preservationists out there. Speaking of being vocal, the Foundation was vocal about the possible destruction of Baton Rouge High School and managed to obtain a seat on the committee that was created by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to review the available options. Board member, Mark Upton represented the Foundation, and we have now been assured that the building will not be demolished; however, we will continue to be involved to ensure that the renovations are appropriate for such an historic structure. The Foundation was charged by the Louisiana legislature in HCR89 to complete an assessment of the Medical Center of New Orleans “Big Charity,” and Vice Chair, Sandra Stokes has worked tirelessly with her committee to meet those expectations. Thanks to our brand new advisor, Aimee Schmitt, we were alerted to the sad condition of the Huey P. Long pool and fieldhouse at LSU, and the generous group at Baton Rouge Uncorked held a fundraiser at the Mansion for the benefit of the pool and fieldhouse. The Foundation continues to fight to maintain the historic windows at the Old Governor’s Mansion. We hope to convince the powers that be in state government that the original 1929 windows are an integral part of what makes this building an historic landmark.

Our annual Preservation Awards Banquet will be held at the City Club on July 24th, and in addition to honoring our preservationists, Bill and Nancy Jensen, Sadie Roberts-Joseph, Veda Norfolk, Peggy Hunt, Sylvia Duke and our Phoenix Award Winners, the Beale House and Historic McKinley High School, we will announce our new list of Treasures in Trouble.

As you can see, we have been busy bees here at the Foundation. We are in the middle of a new membership campaign. Members are what make preservation efforts possible. Please ask a friend to join the Foundation to help make our many goals attainable.

Lenore Feeney,
Chairman - Board of Directors
Foundation for Historical Louisiana