http://www.visitlivingstonparish.com/
French Settlement Creole Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2009
10:00 a. m. - 5:00 p.m.
French Settlement Town Hall Pavilion
Shuttle to and from FS Elementary will be provided
FOOD!! Gumbo, Jambalaya, Cracklins', Hot Dogs, Nachos, Desserts, Cold Beer and Cold Drinks
BAND!! STONE ENVIE
Folk Life Demonstrations, Craft Booths, Kaitlin's Kids Korner, Livingston Parish K-9 Unit, Hilltop Speakers, Fire District 5 "Firehouse"
Performances by: Kim's Kids, French Settlement Dance Company, Anna's Sidekick Academy, Cajun Story-teller - Jimmy Little, Twohawks - Native American Flute Player
Creole House Museum
Sponsored by the French Settlement Historical Society
NO ICE CHESTS PERMITTED
Each year, Livingston Parish welcomes thousands of visitors to our parish in southeast Louisiana. Conveniently located on I-12, Livingston Parish is 10 minutes from Baton Rouge, home of LSU and Southern University, and 45 minutes from New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Livingston Parish offers everything from first-class hotels to "off the beaten path" attractions.
St.
Joseph Catholic Church
In 1887, the present day cypress church was built. It
was placed under the invocation of St. Joseph. It is
the oldest chapel in Livingston parish. In the early
years all records were kept in French, some are still
in the rectory office. The original alter was wood painted
white with gold trim. a portion of the old altar is
used at times during the year for honoring the blessed
Virgin Mary. Father L.J. Dery, a long time pastor here,
built the two-story rectory, the CCD center and convent
in the rear to house religious sister. It was later
remodeled into four class rooms and two more class rooms
were added. We now have a large church hall which was
built in 1990. It has a large community hall, kitchen,
restrooms and three classrooms. We have since added
a large pavilion behind that hall. There is a cemetery
behind the church, on church property and an older community
cemetery across the street. There are some very old
graves in there and the names on most are still family
names present in our community today, Aydell, Matherne,
Brignac. Within recent years two mausoleums have been
built on the property behind the church in the church
cemetery. Father James Kinkead is the first diocesan
priest assigned to this parish and has been here since
1986. He is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At the
present we have approximately 500 Catholic families
in the area and about 200 children attend the CCD program.
Creole House
(formerly known as the Decareaux house)
The
Creole House was built in 1898 by Alexander Lambert
and his son Harris Lambert for his daughter Louisa,
who was married to Alexander Decareaux. The house was
purchased by the Village of French Settlement and used
as the Town Hall until the new Town hall was built.
In 1977, the French Settlement Historical Society took
over maintaining the house and it was turned into a
museum. The house is made out of cypress and is typical
of the dwellings built in the area in the late 1800's
by the Creoles. Most of the houses at that time were
built out of cypress because it was so plentiful in
the surrounding swamps. There are many items and antiques
from the period displayed in the house. Included in
the collection is a wedding dress from the period, a
large armoire, a vintage radio, sewing machine, and
many photos. Also, there are genealogy charts documenting
the history of the local people. Outside the home is
a Tool Shed of the period and Brignac's Slaughter House.
The Creole House was placed on the National Register
of Historic Places on May 14, 1992.
The home represents the culture and customs of the people
of French, Spanish and German origin that have lived
in the area since at least 1810. The museum is open
the 2nd Sunday from 1 - 4 p.m., October through March.
It is open every Sunday 1 - 4 p.m., April through September.
There is no fee to tour the museum and appointments
are made for special occasions and group tours by calling
Ms. Kim Aydell at 225-975-0530. It is located on Highway
16 behind the French Settlement Municipal Building.
Listed below are some of the older houses of French Settlement that are not open to the public.
Adam Lobell House - officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1992.
.jpg)
Guitrau House - officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1992.
The Guitrau House was built in 1911 by Armond LeBourgeois, sold to Alexander Daniel Guitrau in 1914, and to present owner Ed Berteau in 1979
The Creole Festival was initiated in 1977 and now is an annual affair with the major attraction being live entertainment, dancing, and good food. The museum features history charts of the first settlers, period furniture and artifacts.