Dues 2018

It's that time of year again..get your dues paid....PLUS

what a successful Christmas Tour of Homes this year....over 800 people visited our 4 wonderful homes can't wait to see what 2018 in store for us!

Greetings From your 2017 Minden HRD President

From President of the Minden HRD Leslie Daniel Rainer

Dear Residents and Neighbors of the Minden Historic Residential District:

Happy Spring! I want to let you know how much I appreciate you all. We have a lot to be proud of in our Historic Residential District. As the new President of the district, I invite each of you to become a member of our Residential Association ( dues are $20/yr/household). Our new Treasurer is Charlotte Jones and our new Secretary is Chrissie Fowler. We will be having 4 meetings this year. We have a beautiful Christmas Tour of Homes already in the planning stages. Many of us enjoyed the Mardi Gras parties as our homes are along the parade route. In the fall, we usually have a National Night Out picnic in Academy Park. Please invite your families! All are welcome!
We were established as a district in 1992 with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2008, we created the ordinance which gave us a panel and the ability to have a voice with regard to zoning and planning issues. We are a unique collection of neighbors, and thus, have unique circumstances that many other Minden neighborhoods don't have. Did you know that our Historic Signs and our fountain maintenance in our beautiful parks come out of our Historic Residential District Treasury? We fund it through our dues, donations and The Christmas Tour of Homes.
In recent news, we were just successful in preventing a zoning change of B4 (highway commercial) from backing up to the neighborhood. In addition, we were able to reduce the B4 zoning which existed in the same-owned parcel to all become B1. I thank all of you who signed the petition. While we were disappointed it could not stay R2; to reverse and soften a commercial zoning down from B4 to B1 is a plus for our neighborhood, as it is better for our property values. Best of all, resulting from that meeting, there will be a workshop combining the Zoning/Planning Commission, the Minden City Council and some residential volunteers to create a more clarified version of what should be in Business Zones 1-4. I volunteered to serve on that workshop and want to hear any suggestions you might have regarding what would be appropriate for those zoning levels.
In closing, I invite you all to our next meeting, Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 6pm at the Dorcheat Historical Museum, 116 Pearl St. I look forward to serving you in 2017 and seeing you all there!
Many thanks,

Leslie Rainer
2017 President, Historic Residential District
(318) 377-5231 hm/ofc (318)423-0799 cell/text

2017 Dues Are Due And Why We Pay Them

It's that time of year again..... to send in your Historic Residential District Association Dues. For those that are new to the district.... your dues help to pay for our website, and other small items that might come up during the year. Money raised when we do a home tour is set aside in an account that pays for things done within the district lines and occasionally outside those areas that were set up in 1992 National Register of Historic Places. We have placed an official state of Louisiana Historic Marker in Academy Park as well as a marker dedicated to our 2008 Mayor Bill Robertson and one of our long time members Miriam Monk. We also have purchased the Christmas lighting that goes in the park among other things. We have a exhibit dedicated to the homes at the Dorcheat Museum. Recently we replaced all the street signs that are in the defined area of our Residential District. Minden is a little unique in the fact that we have two defined Historic District the residential and the downtown area or two separate district that follow separate guidelines. Our main way of funding our larger projects such as signs and repairs in the park is our official Historic Residential Tour Of Homes. This is not a yearly thing due to the work involved in promotion of such an event months in advance and by the home owners within the district and right outside the defined lines willingness to do such a time consuming venture. We do offer a cash incentive to do the tour of homes to the home owners. We hope you will support us in our efforts to preserve our history and our neighborhood. You can call me or our President Scott McCullough with any questions concerning the district. You can visit me anytime at the Dorcheat Historical Museum located at 116 Pearl Street.

2016 Dues are Due

National Night Out October 7th, 2014

Come Join the Minden Historic Residential District and meet your friends and neighbors!

December 7th, 2013 Christmas Fun In Minden, Louisiana

Minden's Holiday Tour of Homes to be held on December 7th, 2013 from 11 am - 3 pm.

Tickets for the tour are $10 and may be purchased at each location or on the trolley.    Visitors my take their own cars to each location, or simply catch a free ride on the trolley which will be constantly be  making the route picking folks up.   The trolley ride will originate at the City Art Works, 701 Main Street.  There is plenty of parking at the Minden Civic Center.

Downtown merchants will be hosting holiday sales and Open Houses on Saturday at Wrap it Up Downtown!  

The Minden Community Chorus will be giving a glimpse of what can be expected at their annual Christmas Concerts (to be held on December 17^th at the First United Methodist Church) from 3 until 4 on Saturday the 7^th at City Art Works.   The Chorus will also have refreshments for visitors to enjoy! 

Santa will also be hanging around downtown on Saturday.

The Minden Evening Lions Club Annual Christmas Parade will top off the festivities of the day.   The parade begins at 5PM in Downtown Minden.

For more information call:

Pattie Odom, Downtown Development

318-464-0266

Please Send In Your 2013 Dues

It is that time of year again! Please send in your $20 dues for the Minden Historic Residential District: Please make your $20 check to Minden HRD and mail them to Dorcheat Museum P.O. Box Minden, La. 71058

Send In Your 2012 Dues!

The Winner's Are!

Jay and Shelley Christy Home 1st place.
Harmon and Jean Drew Home 2nd place.
Phil and Ann Demaline Home 3rd place.

Candlelight Christmas Tour Saturday December 10th, 2011

The Minden HRD will be hosting the Candlelight Tour of Homes on
Saturday
December 10th, 2011
Time 4-7 p.m. 
Tickets: $10 per person

Tickets to be purchased the day of the event at the Stewart Ferguson building of the Webster Parish Library located at the corner of Elm Street and East and West Street. Refreshments will be served at this stop.

Homes and Church featured are:
1111 Broadway
512 Fort Avenue
100 College
St. John's Episcopal Church at
1107 Broadway

Minden is going to be a part of the "Holiday Trail Of Lights"

Minden is going to be a part of the "Holiday Trail Of Lights".

The cities included are Pineville, Alexandria, Natchitoches, Monroe, West Monroe, Minden, Bossier City and Shreveport. We need YOUR help to make Minden shine!

We are asking everyone in the district to decorate. If you don't do outside lighting, we are asking that you put a Christmas wreath on your door and highlight it with a spotlight. (If you need help with this pl...ease contact Schelley Brown Francis at 318-423-0192. We will get someone to help you with a spotlight.)

Pattie Odom and the City of Minden workers will be working hard to get the City decorated early this year. Lights will be turned on in Minden the weekend of Nov. 11th. Last year the city of Minden was beautiful at Christmas time. This year we need to really go all out!

Contest will be judged on

December 1st, 2011

Historic Residential District

Lighting Contest

1st prize $300

2nd prize $200

3rd prize $100

Plus all three will get to pick either a one night stay in Natchitoches, La. or Jefferson, Tx. to add to their prize.
www.mindenhrd.blogspot.com or www.mindenhrd.com 

Click on the cards above to enlarge and print.

First Meeting 2011

Click on card to enlarge. Right Click to print

2011 Dues For Historic Residential District

Send your dues in today!

National Night Out and Movies In The Park

Tuesday October 5th, 2010.

Come out and join us for fun, food and movies in Academy Park for National Night Out.

September 9th, 2010 Special Guest Speaker

Megan Lord Historic Preservationist will be the special guest speaker for the Minden Historic Residential District meeting and pot luck dinner to be held:

Thursday September 9th, 2010 at 615 Main Street Christopher's.

Everyone is welcome to attend no admission fee for this event!

For More information contact Kelly Rich Minden HRD President at 318-548-3503.

www.mindenhrd.blogspot.com

Spend your summer as a History Pioneer

Be a History Pioneer at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum. The Webster parish museum located at 116 Pearl Street is offering free summer admission to everyone, beginning with the end of the school year. Tuesday – Friday special 30 minute to 1 hour tours will be offered for young and old. Each child will receive a special museum activity book when they visit plus everyone will learn a little Webster parish history. Schelley Brown commented, “I hope that all parents and grandparents will take advantage of our free admission programs this summer. With the high cost of summer activities for children we wanted to be the place you can come to for an hour or so without having to spend a dime. We want to be able to fill a void for our visitors and children on summer vacation in our area. I have several types of tours for all ages plus I plan on having antique cars and tractors on display throughout the summer in front of the museum. We hope to have our theater room finished before summer is over which will be a great bonus for everyone. The museum is a fun place to visit and I know that everyone will enjoy the history activity book that they will receive at the end of their tour.” For group tours it is suggested to call ahead. For more information call the museum at 377-3002 or visit www.museuminminden.blogspot.com .

First Meeting 2010

First Meeting for 2010 March 1st, 2010 410 East and West Street at the home of Kelly Rich (President of the Minden HRD association). For more information contact Kelly at 548-3503.

Candlelight Christmas Tour Saturday December 5th, 2009

Don't miss a great day to get in the holiday spirit. See some of Minden's most beautiful homes plus taste some great Creole food in Academy Park. Tickets on sale now for $8.00 at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located at 116 Pearl Street or can be purchased day of tour for $10 at any of the homes. Call Kelly Rich for more information. Click on the pictures to enlarge and see all the information.

Kelly Rich New HRD president

Kelly Rich takes over as president for the Minden Historic Residential District at the October meeting. Kelly a Grand Cane native has been living in Minden for several years and in the process of home restoration. Her home will be one of the feature homes this year for the annual Christmas Tour. Kelly is already working with former president and now vice-president Schelley Brown for the upcoming Christmas Tour of Homes to be held December 5th, 2009. More information to follow soon. If you are a Facebook member join Minden HRD on facebook.

Minden Historic Residential District Meeting

Monday, October 19th at 6:30 P.M.

At the home of Kelly Rich

410 East and West Street

Come and join us as we talk about our plans for the Christmas Candlelight Tour on December 5th, 2009. We need lots of volunteers, so invite a friend! You don't have to live in the district to be a member!

National Night Out and Movies In The Park

NNO postponed to Nov 3rd, 2009 due to bad weather. Same time and place just new date. See you then.

Click on cards to enlarge them

Join us in Academy Park Tuesday October 6th, 2009 for a night of food, fun, friends and movies. The Historic Residential District Association has some new plans for the new year so come out and see what is in the works. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs, favorite covered dish or finger foods. You don't have to live in the district to come to this event or any other Minden HRD event. For More Info Call Kelly Rich 377-3323 or email her at kellyarich1@yahoo.com

April 2009 Meeting

The Mayor Of Academy Park Wins Man Of The Year 2009

Green, Doerge named man, woman of the year
Written by Josh Beavers
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
A crowd of more than 500 was treated Thursday night to good food, good fun and a sense of good community spirit.
The setting was the Minden Civic Center and the scene was the annual Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Town & Country Health and Rehab and the Weston Place served as the title sponsor for the event. Corporate sponsors included R&V Works, Richland State Bank, Fibrebond, Jean Simpson Personnel Services, TG Garden and Gifts, Konica Minolta, First Choice Personnel, Entergy, Gibsland Bank & Trust, Easley Fine Art Gallery, Webster Printing, Allstate and David Raines Community Health Centers.
Accompanied by the musings and keen insights of event emcee Dr. Richard Campbell, attendees enjoyed a fine dinner provided by Jimmy Hall’s Party Express Catering.
And then there was the much-anticipated announcement of the Minden Man and Woman for 2009.
Once the cat had been let out of the bag and the secret was finally revealed, all in attendance rose to their feet to honor the man and woman who have played such positive roles in the lives of Webster Parish citizens.
This year’s honors went to Bill Green and State Representative Jean Doerge. The Young Women’s Service Club sponsors the Woman of the Year award, while the Minden Lions Club presents the Man of the Year Award.
The award for Chamber Member of the Year went to Jimmy Hall and Party Express Catering.Woman of the Year State Representative Jean Doerge retired from teaching after a 30-year career. She is a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, who has represented Webster Parish since the death of her husband Everett in 1998.
“I wouldn’t be in this position if not for the person who stole my heart over 50 years ago – my husband Everett Doerge,” she said as she accepted the honor. “When he died, I felt I had to finish what he started.”
And she has been successful.
In 2001, Doerge worked to establish a special district to authorize the creation of a fire and emergency training service district, only the second created in Louisiana. She helped various residents in the Dubberly community in south Webster Parish obtain water service when their wells went dry. She also helped to secure a grant for the Cotton Valley water system.
In 2002, she helped the Springhill Medical Center obtain placement in the Rural Hospital Coalition, a move that enabled the facility to obtain additional funds. She pushed for the designation of a tourism center in Springhill, with appropriate directional signs to the new facility. She also worked for a jogging trail in Frank Anthony Park and for the funding to renovate the Spring Theater.
She pushed for funding to relocate the Northwest Technical College in Minden into a new home on Industrial Drive.
Doerge’s alma mater, Northwestern State University, inducted her into the College of Business Hall of Distinction.
Her name is engraved on a plaque located in the foyer of Russell Hall.
“I wouldn’t be here if not for the people of Webster Parish who have put their trust in me,” Doerge told the crowd.
“I have always tried to do what is best for you and I am so thankful and honored tonight.” Man of the Year Minden Mayor Bill Robertson calls Bill Green the “Mayor of Academy Park”. He is also affectionately referred to as the “Widow’s Wonder-man” as he gladly comes by and makes home repairs at many of the residences in the historic district.
Called a creator by Duane Cloud, a longtime friend and the gentleman who made last night’s presentation, Green “still gives and volunteers long past retirement age.”
“He is a true giver in every sense of the word,” Cloud said. “He is a creator in several trades. The Minden Historic Commission, our town and this nation has benefitted from his service.”
Event emcee Dr. Richard Campbell said of Green, “he can fix anything. And that is not an exaggeration.”
Green is a native of Tennessee and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Barksdale and moved to Minden after his discharge. He worked as a loan officer at a local banking institution upon his arrival to the community.
He and his wife Billy Jean reared three sons, and they are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
“He learned this is a great place to live and raise a family,” Cloud said.
Upon receiving the honor, Green thanked his wife and also kidded that he did not believe the selection committee knew whom they were voting for.
“I love Minden,” he told the crowd. “I am honored and it has been a great pleasure working with the people here. I’m glad to volunteer.”

Christmas Spirit Filled The Air

Minden Historic Residential Christmas 2008

Click on picture to see photo album The Minden Historic Residential District Tour of Homes was a Christmas filled day for many visitors to the Historic Fitzgerald house in the heart of Minden’s historic district. The annual tour was held on Saturday along with a contest for the residents of the district. Tour chairwoman and president of the Minden HRD Association, Schelley Brown stated, “We were very pleased with the attendance. We had guest this year from Ruston, Monroe, Dubach, Shreveport, Marshall and the Dallas area. This year we tried something different and I think it really turned out great!” Melissa Slaid, owner of the Fitzgerald house had her home decorated spectacularly for the season. Refreshments were provided by B Rose Catering and sponsored by Mrs. Jackie Lewis and the Minute Magazine. Santa was on hand with Kerry Easley of Main Street Photography capturing holiday memories for many as they climbed in the one horse open sleigh with Santa. The Minden Melodies were a delight for the day with a rousing round of Christmas favorites. This group was followed up by Tiffany Byram Harold Palmer; a grandfather and granddaughter duo on guitar. They finished off the day with all time holiday favorites including a little Elvis. To add to the day the Minden HRD association sponsored a lighting contest with cash prizes and trips to Jefferson at the McKay House B and B. The judging was done by Mona Hayden and friends from Louisiana Road Trips Magazine. The winners were the East and West home owned by Bill and Billie Jean Green taking first. The Greens added yard ornamentation of an antique car was a shoe in for first. Second place was taken by Jay and Shelly Christy’s Broadway home. Third place prize was awarded to Melanie and Scott McCullough for their East and West home. Ms. Brown stated “I was so pleased this year with the districts participation. We had homes that decorated that have never really decorated at all in the past. We also had folks that went the extra mile. I wish we could have given something to everyone. The entire city of Minden from the historic downtown area and all through the historic district is just beautiful this time of year and all the extra efforts really made us shine this year. I hope we can continue this next year and that it will continue to grow with more and more folks trying to outdo the other with the beautiful decorations of the beautiful homes in our area” For a look at Saturdays pictures go to www.mindenhrd.blogspot.com

December 2008 Minden Historic Residential District Christmas Event

Click on pictures to view larger size. More information and press release will follow.
Minden’s Historic Residential District has big plans for holidays!
The Minden Historic Residential District Association announces their holiday plans. “Saturday December 13th, 2008 will be our way of saying Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Minden and the surrounding area.” announced association President Schelley Brown. “This year we are giving back to our community by not charging for our home tour. With the cost of everything escalating we felt that giving something back to our community was the fitting thing to do. We are also adding a home decorating and lighting contest for our home owners. Judging will be done the day of our home tour by three guest judges from other cities and winners announced at 6 p.m. at the close of the tour. We will be giving three wonderful prizes; 1st prize is $200 plus a one night stay at the McKay House B & B in Jefferson, Texas. 2nd prize is $100 and B & B stay, 3rd place prize is B & B stay! We hope that everyone in the district gets out and does some wonderful holiday lighting and decorating. We want the district to be a shinning example of holiday spirit for our visitors during this holiday season. We hope that this contest takes off so that in the future we will be included on the “Holiday Trail of Lights”. Minden’s historic homes are so beautiful and especially so during this time of year. Lighting trails draw huge numbers of visitors into an area and create big economic boost to everyone especially gas stations, restaurants and retail merchants. Everyone is looking for a way to entertain their family during this time of year.”
During the past two years the association has given back to the community with two historic markers that were placed in Academy Park. The association also has purchased more Christmas lights for the park, sponsored a large museum exhibit in the Dorcheat Historical Museum that tells their history and now Minden HRD has a wonderful new web site http://www.mindenhrd.com/ that tells about Minden’s historic homes, history and past citizens.
Melissa Slaid, owner of the Fitzgerald House has generously volunteered her home for the December 13th holiday event. This historic home located at 304 McDonald Street next door to Academy Park will be bustling with activity from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Visitors will tour one of Minden's oldest homes and hear its history from a "Ghost of Christmas Past." Take a step back in time with carolers on the streets, the taste of warm cider and cookies plus the magic of seeing Minden's historic homes in all their holiday finery. Have your photo taken in a vintage one horse open sleigh by Jackie Lewis of Main Street Photography. Join us at 5 p.m. for a group sing-along of old fashioned holiday favorites! Don't miss the holiday gifts on the veranda, to make your holiday unique. For more information visit http://www.mindenhrd.com/ and http://www.mindenhrd.blogspot.com/ or call Schelley Brown 423-0192.