The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission approved financial reports and received updates on public art installations, downtown programming and upcoming community events during its Feb. 19 meeting.
Commission members voted to approve the financial report without opposition after offering an opportunity for questions.
Under old business, commissioners were updated on the Magnolia sculpture recently unveiled at the Susan Harling Pocket Park as part of the Nature in Bloom art sculpture project. The installation honors Hannah Fulton and Corbin Covher’s contributions and represents the third sculpture created through a competitive selection process. Four sculptures were selected from submitted designs, with Covher serving as the metal fabrication artist.
The next unveiling is scheduled for March 10 at 5 p.m. at BOM Financial Services and will feature a tulip sculpture. The event will take place shortly before BOM’s 20th anniversary celebration, allowing attendees to participate in both activities within the same area on Washington Street. The final sculpture in the current series, an iris, is expected to be unveiled in early April.
Plans are also moving forward for a future installation of copper lilies at the Jefferson Street Pocket Park. This sculpture will reflect the historical significance of copper lilies introduced by Spanish missionaries.
Commission members also discussed preparations for Natchitoches Day at the Capitol on March 25 and ongoing branding efforts tied to upcoming events in the historic district.
An update was provided regarding a community workshop featuring revitalization consultant Jeff Siegler, a former Ohio Main Street director. He will serve as keynote speaker at the Chamber’s upcoming awards event and will host a free public workshop focused on short-term wins and long-term planning strategies for the community’s future development.
The Cane River National Heritage Area is working on a new “Natchitoches Christmas Festival – 100 Years” exhibit scheduled to open in July at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Community scanning days are planned for March 20 and 21 at the CRNHA office on university Parkway, offering residents an opportunity to have photographs and media digitized for inclusion in the exhibit’s components and festival promotions leading up to the event.
Additional updates included Natchitoches Historic Foundation plans for a parish historical student event on March 12 involving visits to multiple historic sites, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (NHDDC) Spring Egg-Stravaganza Easter event on March 28 and its Art, Food and Wine Festival set for April 18–19.
