NATCHITOCHES – Over 40 history and culture enthusiasts gathered at the Creole Heritage Center on the Natchitoches campus of Northwestern State University June 6 to discover Natchitoches’ and Louisiana Creoles’ connections to the American Revolution. The event began with clips from all six episodes of The American Revolution, a documentary series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt and PBS. Full episodes are available to watch online for free through Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
Five community partners filled in the details of Natchitoches’ involvement and resources in Natchitoches to uncover if one’s ancestor participated in the war. Felicia Gates, an interpretive ranger at Fort St. John Baptiste State Historic Site, explained how Natchitoches residents contributed as members of the Louisiana colony’s militia, suppliers in the cattle and salt trade and providers of other materials to American Patriots. Dr. Pete Gregory gave an overview of the complex alliances and decisions Native tribes around Natchitoches had to make during the war. Donna Baker, director of NSU’s Cammie G. Henry Research Center, and Peggy Aycock, Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution-Cane River Chapter, both shared how their entities can help individuals trace their genealogy. Dr. Kent Peacock, director of the Creole Heritage Center, finished the presentation portion of the event by clarifying how many men on the militia lists from Natchitoches were Creole and what genealogical resources are available at the Creole Heritage Center.
After the presentations, attendees learned more about Louisiana’s native peoples through a personal tour of NSU’s Williamson Museum by its curator, Dr. Gregory, and explored the exhibits and Resource Library of NSU’s Creole Heritage Center. Each presenter, as well as the Cane River National Heritage Area, also had display tables where participants could ask questions and learn more about the events and resources in Natchitoches related to America’s 250th anniversary and the American Revolution.
Colleen Spillane, promotions manager for LPB, said “This event gave LPB the opportunity to do what LPB loves to do: tell Louisiana’s story by connecting our history to a monumental event like the American Revolution. The people of Natchitoches showed up for it and were so welcoming and curious! We cannot thank them and our partners at NSU enough.”
The event was made possible by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau and NSU’s School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs.
Handouts from the event are available for free at linktr.ee/creolecenternsu or by contacting the Creole Heritage Center at (318) 357-6685 or creolecenter@nsula.edu. Stay updated on future events by following the Center on Facebook (@NSULACreoleHeritageCenter) and Instagram (@creolecenter_nsula).