Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS

Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope you enjoy this season with your loved ones.

Photo credit: Northwest Louisiana Archives, PB 1076, American Rose Center Christmas Exhibits CA 1980.

On this day in 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and by so doing, launched the United States into World War II.

An account of the events that took place on that day is present in our Oral History collection and was recounted by Jackson B. Davis, a Shreveport attorney who served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1956 to 1980 and was instrumental in the establishment of LSU Shreveport in 1967. 

Davis was an eyewitness to the Japanese attack on that day. He volunteered for military service and received an officer's commission in the United States Navy. Assigned to naval intelligence, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for the duration of World War II. Davis arrived in Hawaii on September 7, 1941, on the USS Neosho. Though personally spared injury, he was awakened in his hotel room to the first wave of bombing by the Japanese that was unleashed on the morning of December 7, 1941. He worked in traffic analysis, code-breaking, and communications in the basement of the Fourteenth Naval District headquarters building there. He was discharged as a lieutenant commander in January 1946.

Here are some of his quotes regarding some of the events:

“The week before the war started, they put me in what they called at that time “FRUPAC” (Fleet Radio Unit Pacific). It was attached to the Intelligence Office, too. It was located at Pearl Harbor in the Fourteenth Naval District building.”

“The J**s had come in in two waves. They had about 375 planes all total on 6 carriers. The first wave was about half of them. The second wave was the same number, but I didn’t see the first wave. I got there for the second wave. Ships were being bombed.“

“We had eight battleships in port. . . . All eight of them were hit. The Oklahoma was capsized. The Arizona blew up.”

Source: Jackson B. Davis Papers, 1955-1980 (Collection 041) OH-175, NWLA Archives oral history collection, NWLA Archives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are some Thanksgiving images from the 1900s present in our collection.

Frame 1: 3-year-old boy eyes turkey; a photo from the Langston McEachern Photograph Collection. Nov. 20, 1962.

Frame 2 : The Shreveport Times newspaper, Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27th, 1919.

Frame 3-4: Kindergarten Pilgrims posing for a group picture next to a facsimile of the Mayflower, First Baptist Church School, 11/24/1959. Coll. 393, Folder 22762.

Frame 5-6: Children of South Highland School Thanksgiving event, 11/24/1953. Coll. 393, Folder 11448.

Enjoy your celebration, everyone!

While ‘The Great War’ (WWI) did end later, on June 28, 1919, after the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France, fighting stopped seven months earlier on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (November 11, 1918) after the Allied nations and Germany agreed to a ceasefire.
 
In celebration of this years’ Veterans Day, the Northwest Louisiana Archives (NWLA) brings you photographs from our collection depicting events from those times, showing the bravery and sacrifice of America’s heroes. 
 
Happy Veterans Day!
 
 
 
All photographs are clippings from The Ladies Home Journal’s “Souvenir Pictures of the Great War,” 1918-1919, that belonged to Mrs. Sidney Herold, who lived at 554 Stoner Ave., Shreveport, La. They are part of a World War I Scrapbook (MMss 95) donated to the Archives in 1981 by Mrs. Jack Levy.

Here are some photographs from the ‘history of Shreveport for homeschoolers’ event which our archives hosted last week, on Nov. 4th, in conjunction with the LSUS Cyber Collaboratory.
The event welcomed children within the ages of 9 and 13 and covered the history of Shreveport between the 1870s and 1920s using ONLY primary sources which included various maps, newspaper publications, city directories, and photographs from that period.
As one would expect, they had lots of interesting questions, and this made the session quite insightful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
 
Slides 1–5: Homeschoolers going through history materials assigned to them.

Slide 6: PC1413, Cotton trade ongoing at block 500, Commerce street, Shreveport, LA. ca.1900

Slide 7: Shreveport’s City Directory, 1916.

Slide 8: Front page of The Shreveport Daily Times newspaper on November 4, 1889.

Slide 9: PC 2665, Texas street looking west from Commerce, Shreveport in 1889.

Slide 10: Different maps laid out on a desk.

 
All photographs are properties of Northwest Louisiana Archives.

Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Mary Ann McBride, Dean of Liberal Arts at LSUS, 1973-1990. Dr. McBride was a product of Louisiana public higher education, having earned her B.A. in English at Louisiana Tech and her PhD at LSU in Baton Rouge. She joined the first faculty at LSUS in 1968. Her contributions were consequential, among them promoting LSUS's move from two-year college to four-year university and securing funding for the American Studies Program. She was held in high esteem by her colleagues, both faculty and staff. One faculty member said, "Mary Ann McBride was the best dean I've ever had." In a 2006 interview her secretary said, "I don't know if we have anybody out on campus that works a hard as she did to build the university." Today as word came of her passing, we at LSUS thank her for her very great service to LSUS and the many students she served as professor, mentor, and dean.

Tomorrow is the last day for registrations for our Shreveport Junior Historian summer camp! This year we will be exploring the rich history of the Allendale neighborhood and our team of junior historians will be researching and starring in a mini-documentary on their findings. Ages 12 to 16!

Junior Historians investigate the rich of Allendale, one of Shreveport’s earliest residential neighborhoods. 🗺️ Explore maps, documents, newspapers, city records, and personal interviews with the Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS and the LSUS Noel Memorial Library.

Register Today: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=197

With news of our project of curating and re-housing the Menasco Studio Collection with the help of the amazing Twin Blends Photography LLC, we'd like to share a self-portrait from the collection colorized by Mark and Mike Mangham.

Robert “Bob” Menasco hailed from Glenwood, Arkansas. As a young man, he headed west to seek his fortune in California, but wound up in Shreveport instead. He started his first photography studio in the old Continental American Bank building at the corner of Market and Milam in 1943.

He had a darkroom on the second floor and free-lanced for the Shreveport Times as a news photographer. When he got enough clientele, he took over two floors in the bank building. He lacked formal training in art or photography, but “he just had this knack,” according to Aloyese, his second wife and artistic partner. About 1951, the studio moved to 1315 Fairfield, where the Menascos did all the motion picture film processing for Channel 12. He used a Century Studio Master, a large format film camera which made 8x10 exposures, for portrait photography in his studio. The camera could accommodate a split frame that enabled the photographer to shoot two 4x5 poses before changing the film.

Between 1943 and 1981, Robert Menasco became one Shreveport’s best known and most respected photographers. Over his studio career, Robert would have 32,000 individual seatings producing 200,000 photographs.

Our Red River Junior Historian Summer Camp is rapidly approaching! This year we will be working on a short-documentary project about the origins and history of the Allendale neighborhood, one of Shreveport's oldest communities.

Open for ages 12 to 16, registration can be found at the following link below. For more information, contact us directly!

Junior Historians investigate the rich of Allendale, one of Shreveport’s earliest residential neighborhoods. 🗺️ Explore maps, documents, newspapers, city records, and personal interviews with the Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS and the LSUS Noel Memorial Library.

Register Today: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=197

LSUS Northwest Louisiana Archives and Twin Blends Photography LLC are teaming up on a new project. In 2005, we acquired the Menasco Studio negatives, a huge collection of images spanning more than fifty years. Now Mike and Mark Mangham are helping us sort through and select some of the best examples of the collection that highlight Shreveport's 20th century history.

This year the Red River Junior Historian program will be returning to the Northwest Louisiana Archives from June 13 to June 17!

Our Junior Historians will be exploring the history of the Allendale neighborhood, one of Shreveport's earliest communities, and producing a short documentary on the area since its incorporation into the city.

Information for registration is available below, ages 12 to 16, or contact us directly with questions!

Junior Historians investigate the rich of Allendale, one of Shreveport’s earliest residential neighborhoods. 🗺️ Explore maps, documents, newspapers, city records, and personal interviews with the Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS and the LSUS Noel Memorial Library.

Register Today: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=197

We are sad to receive of the news of the passing of Dr. George A. Kemp over the Memorial Day weekend.

After teaching at Northwestern State University in Nachitoches, Dr. Kemp began his career at LSUS in 1970 and a decade later was confirmed as Dean of the Graduate School of Psychology, which under his leadership beginning in 1979 would achieve national accreditation. During this time, he also served as president and chairman of state psychological organizations, founded the Alpha Guarde organization for retired LSUS faculty, and coached youth leagues in basketball, baseball, and track & field.

In remembrance,
Dr. George A. Kemp
August 13, 1929 - May 28, 2022

Thank You.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 and can be viewed at the following website: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/dr-george-allen-kemp

One week ago today, the historic home of Reconstruction era statesman C.C. Antoine at 1941 Perrin St. in Shreveport's Allendale neighborhood was destroyed in a fire now suspected to be arson. At the news of the tragic loss of this structure, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, we offer a remembrance of the one of the nation's earliest and most influential African American politicians.

Caesar Carpentier Antoine (1836-1921), or C.C. Antoine as he preferred to be called, was born a "Free Man of Color" in New Orleans in 1836. The son of a veteran of the War of 1812, his father fought under the command of then General Andrew Jackson.

In 1868, Antoine was elected as a state senator and served until 1872 when he became Lieutenant Governor first under the administration of Governor P.B.S. Pinchback, Louisiana's first and only black governor, and then under Governor William Pitt Kellogg whose impeachment in 1876 would elevate C.C. Antoine to the office of governor.

After that first successful senatorial election in 1868, Antoine would assist in drafting the Louisiana State Constitution and sponsor a bill establishing the Shreveport Charity Hospital.

In 1871, Antoine authored a bill officially incorporating Shreveport as a "city" in the state of Louisiana, as its previous incorporation status was as a town.

On the 10th of September in 1921, C.C. Antoine passed away at this very home that now lay in ashes at 1941 Perrin Street.

Congratulations to the 2022 LSU Shreveport graduates! It's a common sight this time of year for students to take graduation photos by the iconic crepe myrtles lining the campus, but have you wondered how they got there?

The LSUS Campus Beautification Project began in 1984 as a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. George A. Kemp, professor of Psychology at LSU Shreveport. As the state declined to provide funding for the project, Dr. Kemp and the Beautification Committee raised private donation to complete the massive planting project, with Dr. Kemp and Rita Gilbert Kemp donating $150,000 personally to the project.

In many ways for Dr. Kemp, this was a labor of love, as he not only hand planted many of the trees after the initial "Planting Extravaganza" in 1989, but hand-watered and cared for them over the first two years, and by 2000 there would be over 1,000 trees planted representing 19 unique species across the campus.

Next time you see the iconic trees ringing the campus, be sure to give a small thanks to Dr. George Kemp, who made it all possible.

For some historic views of Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana, take a trip through our Flickr account, where we have featured photographs from dozens of collections housed within the Northwest Louisiana Archives.

Like this view down Texas Avenue circa 1911, looking southwest from Common St. to Milam from Collection 152.

Take a look here: [email protected]/albums" rel="nofollow,noopener" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/albums

Continuing our recognition of National Poetry Month, today we feature the collection of Shreveport native Dr. Paris Leary.

The son of World War II veteran Graham Leary, Paris Leary graduated from Centenary University in 1951 as the editor of "The Centenary Review" and recipient of the Prix D'Excellence for his achievements in French studies. Dr. Leary would study at Seabury-Western Theological College at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and earn his Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University in 1958. Dr. Leary then went on to become Professor Leary where he taught at the University of Kentucky, Bard College in New York, and the State University of New York before helping to initiate the American Studies Department at the University of Leicester in England.

Best known for his book "A Controversy of Poets" published in 1965, Dr. Paris Leary produced a prolific body of work and his collection in the archives features many of his early publications, self-published work, early drafts, and works-in-progress.

To see more of Dr. Paris Leary's work, visit the University Center between 11am - 1pm next week for our pop-up exhibit featuring his work alongside other Shreveport Poets.

Transcribe the 1950 Census!

Have you heard? The 1950 U.S. Census is open for research. Help transcribe it, and you can combine public service with your own explorations. http://archives-20973928.hs-sites.com/transcribe-the-1950-cen?ecid=ACsprvuMTBIwSRag86uhvaYTDoRbdXVdOG_T09uNjXb02u2Cxi-btUpskEOiD9N0Lx1S6xSj7ZYg

Transcribe the 1950 Census! The National Archives launched the 1950 Census website on April 1, 2022. We hope you’ve had a chance to search the 1950 Census and learn more about your family history and life in the United States in 1950. The website has already had more than 1.4 million visitors, including 44 million page views...

As April is National Poetry Month, today we are celebrating the life of Ephraim David Tyler (1884-1969). Often referred to locally as "The Rustic Poet", Ephraim David Tyler was nationally known as Shreveport's Poet Laureate as he dedicated himself to capturing scenes of rural life and sharing reflections on citizenship, patriotism, and our shared future as a society.

It's said that Ephraim David Tyler would read his poetry throughout the community, downtown near Texas and Milam Streets and throughout the Lakeside and Allendale neighborhoods. From street corners to churches to auditoriums, to conventions in Chicago and the 14 months he spent in California in 1943-1944, David Ephraim Tyler's message had a national appeal. So much so, during World War II, copies of one of his books were given to U.S. Army soldiers.

Below you'll find one such poem simply titled, "Louisiana."

Ephraim David Tyler's books on poetry can be seen at the Northwest Louisiana Archives in the Louisiana Collection.

Continuing with the contributions of Cora Lee Henry Perkins, today we are sharing some photos from her "History On The Move" tours after the installation of historic markers around Shreveport.

Mrs. D.H. Perkins was instrumental in the process of acquiring official recognition of these local landmarks with the National Registry of Historic Places.

These photographs taken in 1963 by local photographer Lawrence Lea for Shreveport Magazine feature Mrs. Perkins enthusiastically sharing the history of these places with local youth.

Also featured is a picture of our recent pop-up exhibit showcasing elements from the Mrs. D.H. Perkins Papers Collection (157) highlighting some of the moments from her life and career.

This week we are recognizing the contributions of Shreveport educator and local historian Cora Lee Henry Perkins (1893-1980).

Also known as Mrs. D. H. Perkins through her marriage to Shreveport attorney Dosite Hugh Perkins, Cora Lee Perkins was a charter member of the North Louisiana Historical Association and the Historic Preservation Society of Shreveport and was actively involved with the Woman's Department Club of Shreveport eventually serving on its leadership board.

Though many may recognize her as the niece of Cammie Lee Henry, the mistress of Melrose Plantation in Nachitoches, LA, Mrs. D. H. Perkins made significant contributions to the exploration of local history and was instrumental in the preservation of many area landmarks.

Today we are sharing a portrait of Mrs. Perkins from 1917 and a photograph of her with her first class of students at the Line Avenue School from 1915.

Both items are from the Mrs. D. H. Perkins Papers Collection (157)

Another from our series of works currently on display of local artist and educator Betty Friedenberg, this oil painting from the 1970's is titled "Two Girls in Yellow and Red with Dove."

An exhibit featuring Friedenberg's art will be on display the entire month of March on the first floor of the LSUS Noel Memorial Library

As part of our continued exhibit in celebration of the life and work of local artist and educator Betty Friedenberg, today we share another piece gifted to Collection 778 by Carolyn Bewley Gray.

This piece, "Woman in Red with Three Blue Birds", along with several other oil paintings, mix-media work, and production sketches will remain on display through the month of March on the first floor of the LSUS Noel Memorial Library.

As part of our celebration of the life and work of local Shreveport artist, educator, and former Holiday-in-Dixie art director Betty Friedenberg, today we are sharing a vibrant original oil work from Collection 778 simply titled "Cotton Pickers."

For a closer look at the art of Betty Friedenberg, visit our exhibit currently on display on the first floor of the LSUS Noel Memorial Library throughout the month of March!

In celebrating Health and Wellness as the theme of Black History Month this year, today we are sharing some rare photographs taken during the late 1970's of two of the homes that existed on the property of Amanda Arnett Clark, a free woman of color who after her emancipation became one of Shreveport's earliest philanthropists and mother to the city's first black physician: Dickerson Alphonse Smith.

Following the death of her owner, Luther D. Arnett, in 1864, Amanda Arnett (as she would have been known before marrying John Wesley Clark in 1891) would utilize the $1000 bequeathed to her as part of the succession of her former owner to acquire Lot 16 of Block 17 in the city of Shreveport on January 11, 1866.

While today this lot is empty, these rare photographs detail the two homes that Amanda Arnett Clark established on her property quite possibly as early as 1872, according to research analysis of an existing Sanborn Map of Shreveport from the same year, and most certainly existed on the property by 1892.

After Clark's death in 1902, her son would follow her wishes to establish the Amanda Clark Memorial Home for the Aged to provide care for the elderly black community of Caddo Parish in 1930, before the advent of federal social security and welfare services.

For more information, the Northwest Louisiana Archives houses the Amanda Clark Memorial Home for the Aged Collection (255) and the Historic Preservation of Shreveport Collection (196) that feature direct copies of the will and succession of Luther Arnett, Amanda Clark, and Dickerson Alphonse Smith.

Help Shape the Future of the National Archives Catalog

Would you like to be a citizen archivist? Yes, there is such a thing, and it can be a great way to interact with your history. The National Archives' Citizen Archivist program is recruiting. Check it out

Citizen Archivist Volunteer Opportunities.

http://archives-20973928.hs-sites.com/help-shape-the-future-of-the-national-archives-catalog?ecid=ACsprvsjrdyQcbkz5NXB9AeyGFUgL61e8VjzdnBMyjdQL18eN4LXu74W2ue5mMl2nHj4aWyI3ssQ&_hsmi=204259114&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9TLVWrjrF-aaP1XXkyrtQjhfwWwwvra-A2sYgnNyHb1KZGerMBZ-dK6xg_FhWd7tN9i47-nD_YYN9f74EDQP2Vj4ZwTw

Help Shape the Future of the National Archives Catalog The National Archives Catalog is going through some exciting changes! We need your help to make sure these changes are on the right track.

Reflections on the day to day, from local Shreveport poet David Love Lewis, and the thousand jobs and thousand necessary things that just don't zing.

"Make 'Em All Zingers"

Today, as we continue to explore the latest addition to our archives, we celebrate the birthday of local poet and inspiration to the Shreveport arts community: David Love Lewis.

In recognition of another journey around the sun, we are sharing the cover of the 1993 publication of his work "Dog Days, Crescent City Nights", a photograph of David reading at the Maple Leaf in New Orleans from the manuscript of his work "Paper Dreams", and in a humorous reflection of his life, a selection by our research assistant from the "Dog Days, Crescent City Nights" collection, "New Orleans is where old poets go to die."

Reaching out to his long-time friend and collaborative artist Alan Dyson in hopes that David is doing well on this special day. We at the Northwest Louisiana Archives wish you a happy birthday David and many more in the years to come!