FHL Gala Wins 2010 Country Roads' Best Annual Event
An excerpt from CountryRoadsMag.com -
More than a thousand of you took our survey and divulged your favorite things, taking the time to explain why they're special to you with glowing descriptions that captured your enthusiasm in ways we couldn't ignore. We hope that the results found in the categories below prove more useful than your average "best of" compilation. They reflect not only the most votes in each category ("the winners"), but also a wide variety of treasures large and small, famous and secret, well-known and off-the-beaten-path.
View Country Roads Magazine "Best Of" List
The FHL Gala won in the "Best Annual Events" category.
Historic Cemetery Drama Brings Baton Rouge History to Life
Tickets for Magnolia’s Memories VII Now on Sale
The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) will “bring back to life” notable Baton Rougeans to tell their intriguing life stories in the popular Magnolia’s Memories drama for its seventh production in Historic Magnolia Cemetery. The event is scheduled for two evenings, Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13.
In the upcoming March production, one of Baton Rouge’s most famous citizens, Sarah Morgan, pays a visit to her father Judge Thomas Gibbs Morgan and her brother Henry “Harry” Morgan; three post Civil War mayors, James Elam, Henry Schorten, and Leon Jastremski, engage in a spirited discussion about Baton Rouge during reconstruction and sham elections; Standard Oil General Counsel, legislator, and anti-Long political leader, Cecil Morgan will share some fascinating stories about his century long life; Chief of Police Joshua B. Hare, the first Chief of Police in Baton Rouge to die in the line of duty, will share his stories about Baton Rouge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and William “Bill” H. Long, whose photography was inspired by Magnolia Cemetery, will share his love of life and the cemetery with you. Director Robert Wilson will again be in character as Charles Rabenhorst, the “gatekeeper.”
Baton Rouge performers will be Ray Gaspard, Drew Cothern, Michael Katchmer, Neena Kelfstrom, Jessica Wilson, Johnny Worsham, JP Delahousay, Stewart Craig, and David Tandy.
“Each year we find new and interesting individuals from our past history,” says Baton Rouge filmmaker Randy Walsh, organizer and producer of the drama. “These great citizens can tell us much about early Baton Rouge, and who better than those who have lived it in past generations. So we’re calling them back from the grave to talk to us.”
Walsh, a professional musician, also brings musicians and singers into the setting with magical effect. In the “staging area” just off 19th street between Florida and Main, FHL turns this space into an exhibit area with displays on the historical figures being portrayed and biographical sketches on the professional actors. There is also gumbo for sale, popcorn, and libations. FHL also brings its Museum Store to the staging area for purchases of special items, books, jewelry, and collectibles.
Performance dates are Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13 for the cemetery drama, Magnolia’s Memories VII. The outdoor drama vignettes are set in candle-lighted Historic Magnolia Cemetery on Florida Boulevard and North 22nd Streets in Baton Rouge. The drama is based on narratives from diaries, military records, logs, history books, and local legend. “Past performances have been sold out,” says FHL Executive Director Carolyn Bennett.
This dramatic production is made possible with funding assistance from the The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and corporate and individual sponsors. Production assistance comes from Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission and the Trustees of Historic Magnolia Cemetery.
At the event, ticket holders are escorted by an “angel guide” through the spell-binding cemetery to each grave side vignette. Professional actors “bring back to life” Baton Rougeans now at rest in this beloved cemetery. The wonderfully costumed performers tell the audience about their lives and loves, and what their contributions were to our city and the world.
Over 400 people, the maximum seating, attended last year’s Magnolia’s Memories drama. Tickets are limited and all seating is reserved. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Foundation at (225) 387-2464. Tours are scheduled every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 8:00 p.m. each night. The entire tour lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
For more information and tickets, contact Foundation for Historical Louisiana headquarters at 387-2464. Short audio clips of two of last year’s characters are located here.
FHL Says Use the Compensation Funds to Gut and Rebuild Charity Hospital
The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) says the announcement of the $474.7 million compensation for hurricane damage to Charity Hospital from the federal Civilian Board of Contract Appeals is a great decision for the State of Louisiana and the especially for the citizens of New Orleans.
“Let’s spend these dollars wisely. If Charity Hospital is reused and gutted to become the new teaching hospital, then few additional funds beyond this repayment would be necessary. The cost benefit analysis recommendation by the Steamlining Commission is more important now than ever. Let’s make the best economic decision for taxpayers and the citizens of New Orleans and the State,” said Sandra Stokes, FHL vice chair. Representatives of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, Smart Growth New Orleans, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation were at the Joint Committee on Governmental Affairs to address the Streamlining Commissions recommendations regarding Big Charity Hospital and the Historic Lower Mid-City Neighborhood.
For more information on the FHL plan to rehabilitate Charity Hospital, click here.
Also visit: www.savecharityhospital.org, www.DoctorsforCharity.com, and www.preservationnation.org
On Fat Tuesday, February 16th, Foundation for Historical Louisiana members and friends will once again swing on down to the Big Easy to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans! A deluxe motorcoach will travel from Baton Rouge to the Crescent City, leaving from the parking lot at the Mall of Louisiana (near Macy’s) at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Participants will watch the world-famous Krewes of Rex and Zulu, as well as the marching clubs and truck parades, from reserved seats. At mid-afternoon, the party moves to Le Pavillion Hotel, known as “the Belle of New Orleans,” for a Creole buffet. Lagniappe Tours’ passengers have access to the hotel throughout the day.
“This very popular tour is truly the Big EASY way to experience Mardi Gras, especially with experienced Lagniappe Tour guides,” said FHL Executive Director Carolyn Bennett.
The motor coach returns at 7 p.m. The cost for members of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana is $125 per person, and the guest fee is $150 per person.
For reservations or inquiries, please call the Foundation at (225) 387-2464, ext.14. Space is limited.
Lagniappe Tours is the sightseeing arm of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural and architectural heritage of Louisiana.
Heritage Salon Presented by Diane Finley and Rae Williamson
Their extensive and painstaking research in archives, libraries, and through oral histories uncovered information on the craftsmen, the materials, the talent that created this landmark designed by the phenomenal architectural firm of Weiss, Dreyfous, and Seiferth. The Foundation is excited to report that this work ultimately will result in a beautiful book on the Old Governor's Mansion.
Location: Old Governor's Mansion
Refreshments: 6pm (Provided by Calandro’s Select Cellars and Fine Wines)
Lecture: 6:30pm
Free to FHL members, $10 guests
