On Friday January 13,2012, Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS hosted the Louisiana Department of Tourism hospitality training session. We had a great turn out. Those attending included staff from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Cane River Creole National Historic Park, Natchitoches Tourist Bureau, Melrose Plantation Staff, Grand Ecore Visitors Center and Fort St. Jean Baptiste.
On January 10, 2012, Fort St. Jean Staff will atttend a meeting with the Natchitoches Louisiana Bicenntinial planning committee.
French Marine interpreter James Cox is preparing jerky to be used on a long trek. Thin slices of meat are seasoned and slowly cooked and dried over hot coals to make jerky. Jerky and a piece of soldier bread would be a survival meal for a French Marine on a long frontier walk.
As part of the Natchitoches, LA historic district, Fort St. Jean Baptiste represents the end of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Until January 31, 2012, visitors will have the opportunity to visit our exhibit area to view photos taken along the national trail. These photos are a traveling exhibit created and made available to the public in part by the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association.
On December 10, 2011, Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS will host its end of the year Christmas Program. We are expecting at least 20 re-enactors to be on site to help with the daily events. Weather permitting re-enactors throughout the day, will periodically fire the cannon, have soldier drill, and do open fire cooking.
Thanksgiving has come and gone with a flash. The City of Lights aluminated the Cane River early this year. Christmas lights were turned on the week of Thanksgiving. Anyone visiting Fort St. Jean Baptiste can now visit the riverbank and see an early preview of Christmas lights.
Fort St. Jean Baptiste will be closed on November 24, 2011 for Thanksgiving Holiday. We will be open Friday and Saturday for all you shopper who might need a break. Come by and visit with us!! We are the first stop on the road into the Natchitoches Historic District.
