The Emancipation Proclamation program - Feb 23

We've got a new program coming in February!

The Bossier Parish Historical Center is hosting a special program in recognition of Black History Month entitled “The Emancipation Proclamation – At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality.” The event will take place Saturday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. at 2206 Beckett St., Bossier City.  

Dr. William D. Pederson, Director of American Studies and the International Lincoln Center and Professor of Political Science at LSU-Shreveport, will speak on the often-overlooked effects of the Emancipation Proclamation of 150 years ago. Well-known local actor and story teller Thelma Harrison will portray Harriet Tubman, former slave and crusader for freedom as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad.  

Pam Carlisle, Outreach Specialist for the History Center invites the public to attend this special program free of charge.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information call her at (318) 746-7717.

Artifact of the Month - January

January's artifact of the month is this Caddo Indian ceramic bottle from south Bossier Parish.

This miniature bottle is from the McClelland archaeological site in south Bossier Parish. It is about 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall. The McClelland site was probably part of a village belonging to the Nakasas, a Caddoan group that occupied the area as late as 1700, when they were visited by the French explorer Bienville. Caddo Indians are renowned for their high-quality and attractive pottery. This bottle is decorated in a style known as “Keno Trailed”, a late prehistoric to early historic (ca. AD 800-1700) design for fine (non-utilitarian) ware. Keno ‘trails’ were wide curvilinear incisions. Incised patterns were made while the clay was still soft or only semi-hard, causing deeper lines than engraved patterns, which are made when the clay is hardened.

Be sure to stop by the History Center to see this ceramic bottle in person! We also have other artifacts from the McClelland site on display in one of our central table cases.

Photo of the Month - January

We are excited to bring some new content to our blog! Watch as we select a "Photo of the Month" and an "Artifact of the Month" - we hope you will enjoy getting a peek at images and items in the Historical Center's collection. We start by featuring January's Photo of the Month. This image from the January 20th, 1948 issue of The Shreveport Times shows a wintery scene on Texas Street. 

The Planters Press gives a good description of the rare snowstorm, which was the heaviest snowfall since December of 1929. "This recent snow totaled about 10 inches. Accompanying the snow was a sharp drop in temperature..." Cinders and salt were sprinkled on this new bridge over the Red River and police officers were stationed at the approaches to guide and caution the traffic. Schools in Bossier Parish were closed for three days as a safety measure. 

The snow interrupted the March of Dimes campaign for six days and caused Bossier City restaurants to postpone their Coffee Day benefit. (On Coffee Days, local merchants contributed their coffee sales to the March of Dimes.) 

The Freedom Train arrived at the Louisiana & Arkansas railroad depot on Marshall Street just in time for the storm. Many visitors braved the cold and ice to see the historical documents and artifacts displayed within the train cars. Luckily, the cars were properly heated and comfortable! In spite of the winter weather, the line of visitors extended about two city blocks, with as many as 1000 persons forming the line at one time.

Do you think this January will bring Bossier any snow like this?