Natichitoches: A Tri-Centennial | 2014

LPB's Charlie Whinham travels to North Louisiana to celebrate the 300th birthday of the oldest town in Louisiana and the first French settlement in what later became the Louisiana Purchase. It was also the site for the hit movie Steel Magnolias. 2014 marks the Tri-Centennial for Louisiana's picturesque and timeless community of Natchitoches. Settled in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement within the territory of Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches and surrounding areas include French, Spanish, Creole and native American influences that still exists today. Host: Charlie Whinham

A 2014 documentary celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. During this documentary, host Charlie Whinham: explores the history and preservation of Natchitoches, including its founding by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714; commemorates the 25th anniversary of the movie “Steel Magnolias” written by Natchitoches native Robert Harling; tours the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum; takes a historic walking tour of the city with Justin Newhart of the Cane River National Heritage Area; visits two educational landmarks in the city, Northwestern State University and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts; and highlights the annual Christmas Festival of Lights. This documentary features footage of several of the historic landmarks in the city, including Fort St. Jean Baptiste, Melrose Plantation (the one-time home of artist Clementine Hunter), Lemee House, Trinity Episcopal Church, the Steel Magnolias Bed and Breakfast, the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Prudhomme-Roquier House, and Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant.