The newly renovated Pacale-Roque House was dedicated Thursday, May 9 at a ceremony hosted by the Historic Natchitoches Foundation before an overflow crowd at the house’s downtown riverbank location. The $2.1 million dollar project included a complete renovation of the historic house, landscaping, walkways, and the upcoming addition of a new stage in the Beau Jardin garden area. The project was financed by the Cane River Waterway Commission with in-kind donations by the City of Natchitoches such as electrical and sewer work. The National Park Service hosted contractors for lessons on how to make and work with bousillage. The project was a true community effort.
Built in 1803 and moved to the downtown riverbank in 1967, the Pacale-Roque House has in many ways come to symbolize historic preservation in Natchitoches. This joint effort by the Cane River Waterway Commission, City of Natchitoches and the National Park Service in renovating the Pacale-Roque House not only preserved this unique piece of our area’s history for future generations, it has also added to the beauty of Natchitoches’ downtown.
Special Thanks: To Rick Nowlin and the engineering firm for a tireless effort and commitment to the Pacale-Roque House project.
