Louisiana State Parks July 2014 Events

Upon Request, Fort Jesup State Historic Site, Many – Museum Tours. The Fort Jesup museum houses historic displays and artifacts, in a reproduction of the original Officers’ Quarters. The tour includes the original kitchen outbuilding, the only structure left of the 82 buildings that were at the fort during 1822-1846. For more information call 888.677.5378 toll free or 256.4117 locally.

Daily, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – Living History, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily demonstrations of the life of colonials and soldiers of Post de Natchitoches. Activities include from Black Powder use, fabric dying and sewing, cooking, carpentry, and more. For more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

Tuesdays-Saturdays, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – Musical Petting Zoo, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visitors can view the collection of stringed instruments on display to touch, play, and enjoy. For more information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

Tuesdays-Saturdays, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – The Listening Library, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visitors can listen to country recordings and access the collection of books and films that tell the story of the roots of country music. For more information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

July 2 & 16, Fort Jesup State Historic Site, Many – Wednesday is for Spinning, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Every first and third Wednesday of the month, Fort Jesup State Historic Site staff will provide spinning demonstrations while discussing how fabric was created and used during colonial days. For more information call 888.677.5378 toll free or 256.4117 locally.

July 5, Hodges Gardens State Park, Florien – Butterfly Garden Tour, 9 a.m. Meet in the Butterfly Garden, for a fun and informative session examining the food plants that attract caterpillars and the nectar plants that attract butterflies. For more information call 800.354.3523 toll free or 586.3523 locally.

July 5, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – Boule Lyonnaise, 1 – 4:30 p.m. Every first Saturday of the month, visitors can learn to play the French game of Boule Lyonnaise (similar to the Italian) Bocce. All ages are welcome, and the program is held as weather permits. For more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

July 11, Marksville State Historic Site, Marksville – Pine Needle Basketry, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn how to make a functional item from the same pine needles that are found so abundantly on the ground. Registration is recommended, due to class size; for more information call 888.253.8954 toll free or 253.8954 locally.

July 11, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – The Outdoor Class Room, 10 a.m. – noon. Get an in-depth view of the environment and history surrounding Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, during special monthly programs. July’s focus will be on Camo worms, demonstrating how camouflage is used for protection and survival. The fee for this special program is $5 per person; to register or for more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

July 12, Hodges Gardens State Park, Florien – Painting in the Park, 9 a.m. – noon. Find inspiration in the beauty, color and tranquility of the gardens. Join the park ranger for step-by-step instructions on how to paint an owl sitting on a limb. Bring your own canvas; paints and brushes will be provided. For more information call 800.354.3523 toll free or 586.3523 locally.

July 12, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – Natchitoches Tricentennial Program, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. In celebration of the City of Natchitoches’ Tricentennial, the site will offer a circa-17014 living history program with staff and volunteers dressed in period clothing. For more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

July 12, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – Folk Arts and Folk Music, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Discover local folk art and music roots, with a jam session and demonstrations of folk crafts. For information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

July 19, Hodges Gardens State Park, Florien – Natural Garden Hike, 9 a.m. Join the site ranger for a guided nature walk in the natural gardens.  Dress for the weather and terrain, and bring water. For more information call 800.354.3523 toll free or 586.3523 locally.

July 19, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – Colonial Workshop Series: Materials Do Matter-Daub it with Bousillage, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Get hands-on with colonial crafts and daily life activities, during special programs at the site. July’s activity will demonstrate how bousillage was made and used in the construction of colonial buildings. The fee for this special program is $6 per person; to register or for more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

July 19, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – Acoustic Instrument Jam Session, 1 – 5 p.m.  Bring your acoustic instruments and join other area musicians at Rebel State Historic Site, for an afternoon of musical fun and learning.  The jam session will be held in the Louisiana Country Music Museum lobby, and listeners are always welcome. For information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

July 19, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – Karaoke Night, 6 – 9:30 p.m. Channel your inner musical star, with a chance to sing on the site’s Country Music Museum stage. For information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

July 26, Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville – Dulcimer Day, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. If you play the dulcimer and would like to have some fun and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow “dulci-musicians,” come out for a day filled with events and workshops. Workshops begin at 9 a.m. with two skill levels being offered; Beginner, and Intermediate, as well as workshops covering other areas of interest for musicians and dulcimer players. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a concert and awards presentation, with an open jam session immediately following. For information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 472.6255 locally.

July 26, Hodges Garden State Park, Florien – Main Garden Tour, 9 a.m. Learn about the history of Hodges Gardens, while strolling through the main garden, that stands on what once was a rock quarry. For more information call 800.354.3523 toll free or 586.3523 locally.

July 26, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches – Colonial Book Review, 10 a.m. – noon. Meet at the site, every fourth Saturday, to discuss books related to Louisiana colonial history. Check the site’s Facebook page, at the beginning of each month, for the highlighted book’s title. For more information call 888.677.7853 toll free or 357.3101 locally.

July 26, Fort Jesup State Historic Site, Many – Home Crafts, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn about the various crafts that assisted in everyday living during the 1800s. Demonstrations will include candle making, soap making, shingle making, spinning and more. For more information call 888.677.5378 toll free or 256.4117 locally.

July 26, Marksville State Historic Site, Marksville – Prehistoric Mounds Tour, 10 a.m. and noon. Join the staff and volunteers for special guided tours and demonstrations of the area and daily tasks, as performed by the area’s original residents. For more information call 888.253.8954 toll free or 253.8954 locally.