JULY TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

in St. Francisville, Louisiana

by Anne Butler

The recent resurgence of patriotism in this country has changed the face of tourism. There is an increased interest in heritage tourism, eco-tourism and the hands-on interpretation of history closer to home. With its surrounding countryside dotted with restored antebellum plantations, the St. Francisville area is in a unique position to accommodate the interests of tourists who want to know about their ancestors, about the early life in this country…the daily skills and hardships and necessities for surviving life in the days before electricity, before refrigerators and televisions, before electric stoves and automobiles, before airplanes and air conditioning (perish the thought).

The State Historic Sites in the St. Francisville area have been particularly responsive to this newfound interest in how things were done in the old days and why, and they offer interpretive programs throughout the month of July.

Audubon State Historic Site, which includes the Oakley Plantation House where artist-naturalist John James Audubon painted many of his famous Birds of America studies while tutoring the daughter of the family, offers fascinating programs every single day in July, all starting at 1 p.m. unless otherwise specified, and information may be obtained on all of them by telephoning (225) 635-3739.

The programs include Black Powder Weapons Demonstration on July 1, Oakley's Backyard Pharmacy explaining herbs and medicinal plants used for treating illnesses on the plantation on July 2, Corn Grinding on July 3, 1800's Children's Games like rolling hoops (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) on July 4, an Audubon Scavenger Hunt July 5, Basket Weaving July 6, Beeswax Candle-making July 7, Dig That History delineating the role of archaeology in delving into the history of slave life at Oakley on July 8, A Slave's Life at Oakley on July 9, Cloth Dyeing with natural dyes on July 11, and Open Hearth Cooking on July 12.

Other demonstrations of vital early plantation skills include Cedar Shingle-making for 19th-century roofing on July 13, Weaving Demonstration on a 19th-century floor loom on July 14, Bousillage Demonstration on July 15, Old-Fashioned Wash Day July 16, Spinning Demonstration showing authentic carding and spinning on an antique spinning wheel on July 17, Brick-making Demonstration showing how sun-dried bricks were made by hand on July 18. On July 19, the program is on John James Audubon's Feliciana.

An Endangered Animals Program is the feature at Audubon State Historic Site on July 20, highlighting the barnyard breeds; July 21 the feature is Heirloom Herbs and Vegetables grown in the 1800's plantation kitchen garden. Other demonstrations include the Mysterious Inkle Loom on July 22, an Oakley Nature Trail Hike on July 23, Calligraphy Writing Workshop July 24, Butter-making utilizing a churn on July 25. The Great Oakley Pig Out on July 26 focuses on swine, from calling the pig to open-hearth cooking, and on July 27 Oakley hosts a friendly old-fashioned Horseshoe Competition. July 28 Audubon Art Class for children 12 and under introduces nature drawing, and on July 29 Ardisia Crazy focuses on this prolific old-fashioned plant. July 30 the Oakley Treasures Exhibit (10-4) provides glimpses of family life at Oakley through rarely-seen historical items. July 31 is Junior Ranger Day from 10 to 2, a fun-filled children's program to encourage visiting and learning more about all of Louisiana's state sites.

At nearby Rosedown State Historic Site, the July emphasis is on historic horticulture, and information may be obtained by telephoning (225) 635-3332. July 12 from 10 to 4, Herbs are featured as Rosedown horticulturalist Patricia Aleshire presents a seminar and walking tour covering techniques for the cultivation of herbs, as well as the preservation of herbs by drying, freezing and making herbal oils and vinegars.

Heirloom Plants For Fall Planting and Propagation will be the focus of Rosedown's program July 19 from 10 to 4, with tours of the extensive flower and vegetable gardens, lectures and slide presentations on heirlooms, including sources and how to save seeds and propagate through cuttings and air-layering. Rosedown Plantation has been recognized as having one of the country's premier gardens, 28 acres originally begun in the 1830's, and a careful propagation program has saved many of the early plant varieties.

From 2 to 6 p.m. every Thursday in July, in the St. Francisville Agriculture Pavilion (4-H Barn) located between Commerce St. and US. 61 on Wilcox St., the local Farmers' Market features homegrown fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies, honey, farm eggs, baked goods, herbs, flowers and native plants; for information, call the LSU Cooperative Extension at (225) 635-3614. Another Country Market is held on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at Sunflowers and Junebugs, corner of U.S. 61 and LA 66 just north of St. Francisville, and here visitors will find farmers, food vendors, artisans and craftsmen peddling their wares; for more information, call (225) 635-2629

Throughout the month of July, the West Feliciana Historical Society museum and visitor center on Ferdinand St. in downtown St. Francisville hosts an exhibit on the Bicentennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and also on the Republic of West Florida, including a copy of the original constitution of this brave republic which in 1810 revolted from Spanish rule and eventually led to the inclusion of the Florida Parishes as part of the United States some seven years later than the rest of the state. The museum can provide complete tourist information and is open daily 9 to 5, Sunday from 9:30; for information, call (225) 635-6330.

The last weekend in July the Feliciana Nature Society hosts the Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration in St. Francisville. On Friday, July 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Jackson Hall next to Grace Episcopal Church, Bob and Martha Sargent of Trussville, Alabama, birders for 20 years and bird banders for 16, present a delightful slide show on hummingbirds. Authors of Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Sargents are founding directors of a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of hummingbirds and other neo-tropical migrants, and annually band more than 5000 birds at their banding station in Alabama each spring and fall. They are leaders in the pioneering study of wintering hummingbirds and travel thousands of miles each winter to capture, identify, band and document these rare species. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served and a $10 fee will be charged.

On Saturday, July 26, hummingbird biologist Linda Beall will join the Sargents to band birds at the homes of artist Murrell Butler and Carlyle Rogillio in the St. Francisville area from 7 to 3, providing a great opportunity to see the birds up close ($5 donation provides access to both sites). In late July, many hummingbirds have completed breeding and have begun dispersing, making this a good time of year for banding so that the migrations of the birds can be tracked. Local nurseries will offer plants known to attract hummingbirds at the banding sites all day, and there will be sales of related books and artwork, feeders and binoculars. Information on the Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration is available in person at the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge office in the St. Francisville Inn, or by calling (225) 635-6502 or online at www.audubonbirdfest.com.

Located on US Highway 61 on the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge, LA, and Natchez, MS, the St. Francisville area is a year-round tourist destination, with six historic plantations-Rosedown and Audubon State Historic Sites, Butler Greenwood, the Myrtles, the Cottage and Greenwood--open for daily tours, Catalpa Plantation open by reservation and Afton Villa Gardens open seasonally. Reasonably priced meals are available in a nice array of restaurants in St. Francisville, eclectic shops fill restored 19th-century structures throughout the historic downtown area, and some of the state's best Bed and Breakfasts offer overnight accommodations ranging from golf clubs and lakeside resorts to historic townhouses and country plantations; a modern motel has facilities to accommodate busloads. The scenic unspoiled Tunica Hills region surrounding St. Francisville offers excellent biking, hiking, fishing, birding, horseback riding and other recreational activities. For online coverage of tourist facilities, attractions and events in the St. Francisville area, see www.stfrancisville.us, www.stfrancisville.net or www.stfrancisvilleovernight.com, or telephone (225) 635-3873 or 635-6330.