The 63rd Annual Natchitoches Fall Pilgrimage will focus on the unique cellars and tunnels of some of the most historic structures in the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District on the weekend of Oct. 13 -15. Creole Cottage will be the featured home on the tour. It is one of the oldest homes in the district, and this will be the first time the home will be open to the public.
“This will be the first time in history that the secrets of the cellars and tunnels of old Natchitoches will be told. We will share both their architectural and societal importance to our history. From storage for food to hiding family stills during Prohibition, these spaces played many important roles in the lives of early Natchitoches families,” said Gary Cathey, APHN Fall Tour Chair.
The weekend’s activities begin on Friday, Oct. 13 from 6-9 pm with the Candlelight Tour centered in the downtown area of the district. Elegant townhomes and historic commercial structures will be on the night’s ticket, and visitors will learn about the little-known cellar and tunnel associated with the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and other downtown commercial buildings. Ticket holders will be treated to a reception and tasting of early Natchitoches recipes and other special events throughout the evening. The 75th Anniversary Edition of the Calico Ladies Cookbook will be on sale at the reception. This will be the first time in almost half a century the cookbook will be available for purchase.
The Town Tour will run from 9 am – 4 pm on Saturday, Oct. 14. All the homes on this tour have cellars over a century and a half old. Exhibits will show the building methods and the uses and roles these underground spaces have played since the antebellum period. A special feature of this year’s tour will be a speaker series throughout the day at the Lemee House on a range of subjects relating to Natchitoches Underground. Rare finds from archeological digs, design elements of early underground building, and the unusual role Natchitoches played in the Underground Railroad will all be subjects of the series. Also the Lemee House will feature a exhibition honoring the journalism of Maggie Martin of the Shreveport Times. Over half a century of Natchitoches history and the preservation work of the APHN will be traced through her articles. Another highlight of the Town Tour will be Ash, a photography exhibit by Joanna Cassidy at the Laureate House. Her stunning images of the Levy-East House the day it burned will offer viewers an inside look at the devastating end to one of the most treasured historic homes in Natchitoches.
The Country Tour will be on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday Oct. 15 from 9 am – 4 pm. Favorites Cherokee and Oakland Plantations will return to this year’s Country Tour line up and will be joined by the Jones-Roque House and the Carroll Jones House. A special fine arts exhibit of local artists will be an added bonus at Melrose Plantation.
Vicki Parrish, APHN President, invites everyone to “Come see a part of Natchitoches that has, until now, remained hidden. Most people who have lived here all of their lives have no idea that many of our most historic structures have cellars and tunnels. Our Fall Tour is a rare opportunity to learn about this unusual part of our history and to actually go underground in Natchitoches.”
This year’s tour is sponsored by The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. All proceeds from the Tour go directly to continue the preservation work the APHN has been doing for over 75 years. For tickets and information call (800)259-1714 or (318)352-8072, or visit melroseplantation.org.
Cellar Photo: Catholic Seminary cellar; Eight Italian black Portoro marble columns in the cellar under the Catholic Seminary building. Wine for the sacraments was once stored here.
