November 2010

City Park Golf Course was Baton Rouge's first public golf course, and the city's only public course until the mid-1950s. City Park Golf Course was built during the "The Golden Age of Golf"--when golf's popularity spread from the upper to middle classes as public courses were built at a rapid pace. Public golf courses increased the popularity of the sport because, unlike private courses, they only charged a nominal fee and did not require membership or annual dues. By 1930, 2.25 million Americans were playing golf on 5,648 courses, an 800 percent increase in the number of courses in 1916.

The present state capitol building of Louisiana, a 34-story, 450-foot Alabama limestone-clad skyscraper, is the final resting place of politician Huey Long.

The Atlantic Heritage Center has been collecting local objects from the nostalgic past since its inception as the Atlantic County Historical Society in 1913.

Today, there are over 20,000 items in the museum's collections. These range in size from a Continental dollar to an 1870 bed. All have been presented to the Center as gifts from members and friends. The majority of items are classified as "historical artifacts" rather than antiques. These artifacts can be attributed by name, place, and date to the persons who made them, used them, or enjoyed owning them.

Fans of the Victorian era will appreciate various clothing and textile collections. And children will enjoy the display of toys and dolls.

The Alexandria Historical Society meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30PM. Meetings are held at the Museum of Local History (The Prevost House) at 1100 Frenchtown-Milford Road. Check the Delaware Valley News and the society’s website for information on featured speakers.

The Prevost Farm House on the Milford-Frenchtown Road was donated to the Township and is being leased to the Historical Society for $1 a year. It opened as an historical library and museum to hold many of our interesting acquisitions related to the township and surrounding area. It will be open to both school children and the community.

The Society is seeking contributions of furniture, pictures, books, maps, documents and clothing of the 1800's period to add to the collection.

Strawbery Banke, Inc., an organization taking its name from the earliest settlement, was formed by local citizens in 1958. One of its first actions was to get a New Hampshire law changed to permit restoration as a part of renewal. Until that time the law required that every building in a renewal area be demolished. Following that the Portsmouth Housing Authority as the local renewal agency acquired the land and buildings, arranged for the relocation of the residents, and handled the demolition or removal of several late nineteenth and twentieth century structures. The remaining buildings were then deeded to Strawbery Banke.

When Strawbery Banke opened to the public in 1965, Portsmouth began to rediscover the past it seemed to have left behind. That past has become a vital part of the modern city. The museum has become an important asset to the local economy and the major attraction for visitors to Portsmouth.

In May 1861, the site for the camp was selected and the troops began to arrive. The new camp was named for Governor Thomas Overton Moore, and Confederate Brig. General E. L. Tracy was placed in charge of it. During the remainder of 1861, the 4th-13th and 16th-20th regiments, as well as a battalion of infantry, successively trained here. Each of these regiments was organized with about a 1000 men. Due to the policy of moving regiments to the front as soon as they were sworn in, there were probably never more than 5000 men at Camp Moore at any one time. The 5th-10th regiments were sent to bolster the Confederacy's armies in Virginia, where they formed part of two Louisiana brigades. The other regiments served in the Confederate Army of Tennessee against the Union armies.

The 140 acres of rolling countryside which house the gardens include a mile and a half driveway enveloped by an alley of live oaks. The landscaping effects at Afton Villa were achieved by taking advantage of the natural contours of the property. Like many traditional formal southern gardens, Afton Villa has terraces which descend in stages away from the house. Afton Villa Gardens' most typical traditional features are its maze and its parterre garden. Both retain their original designs, although time has allowed for some alterations. A sundial now marks the spot where a small gazebo once stood. Next to the parterre garden is the Barrow Family Cemetery. The centerpiece of the cemetery is a large marble Tuscan obelisk, erected by the United States Congress in memorial to Senator Alexander Barrow upon his death. The cemetery is the only feature of the present garden which predates 1849, dating to the time of the first plantation on the site in the late 18th century. A large hedge surrounds the cemetery, and an artificial pond and lake dot the grounds.

Construction on the Heidelberg Hotel began in 1927, with just a sketch on a napkin. Architect Edward Nield worked with his vision but without any formal plans to create a luxury hotel fit for Louisiana's capital city. In 1928, Huey P. Long was elected governor, establishing himself as one of the state's most colorful characters.

In the 1930s, Long oversaw construction of a new state capitol building, four blocks from the Heidelberg Hotel. Among its hallmarks was its rank as the tallest capitol building in the U.S. One of the unique features of the hotel is the secret underground passageway to the King Hotel across the street, which gave Huey direct access to his flamboyant mistress. In 1931, the Heidelberg itself served as the Louisiana Capitol during a dispute between Long and Lieutenant Governor Paul Cyr. Long, newly elected as senator, refused to relinquish his duties as governor and Cyr set up operations in the hotel.

The Pierce Homestead was built in 1804 by Benjamin Pierce the year his son, Franklin, was born. The large spacious rooms, the hand stenciled walls, and the imported wallpaper, symbolize the elegance of the age.

Benjamin Pierce came to Hillsborough in 1786, almost 50 years after the town was first settled. He had served under Washington in the War for Independence, but after the war's end found himself nearly impoverished. The beauty of the land surrounding Hillsborough, and the affordable prices of land attracted him to buy a log cabin with 50 acres of land. After the death of his first wife, Elizabeth Andrews, Benjamin Pierce married Anna Kendrick. By the time the Homestead was built, Benjamin Pierce was a prosperous and prominent man. His career in public service continued for 57 years, during which he was twice Governor of New Hampshire.

The Homestead was a gathering place of great individuals. Here Daniel Webster was entertained, and in the ballroom on the second floor Benjamin Pierce drilled local militia groups, for everyone was a friend of Benjamin Pierce.

Realizing that control of the Mississippi River was a key military objective of the Union, the Confederacy in August 1862, had its forces erect earthworks at Port Hudson. In 1863, Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks moved against Port Hudson. Three Union divisions came down the Red River to assail Port Hudson from the north, while two others advanced from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to strike from the east and south. By May 22, 1863, 30,000 Union soldiers had isolated 7,500 Confederates behind 4 ½ miles of earthen fortifications. On May 26 Banks issued orders for a simultaneous attack all along the Confederate perimeter the following morning.