Nov. 26, 2011
Long before the state of Louisiana existed, Kent Plantation House was here.
It’s one of the oldest standing structures in the Louisiana, and it will be the hallowed ground that will serve as the kickoff to the Louisiana bicentennial.
“By the time Louisiana achieved statehood, Kent House was already 12 years old,” said Alice Scarborough, executive director.
“It’s one of only four structures left of this style.”
The style is classic French colonial, now visible mostly in south Louisiana.
A string of events will carry into 2012, as Louisiana achieved statehood in 1812, but hosting the kickoff in Central Louisiana was of utmost importance to Scarborough and members of the Alexandria/Pineville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“What we were looking for was a place of obvious state relevance,” said Jimmy Williams, sports and special events manager for the CVB.
“The Kent House was there before the state became a state.”
Most of the bicentennial events will be held in south Louisiana, but Scarborough, who attended most of the planning commission meetings, said an opportunity to arose to put Alexandria in the spotlight.
“We needed something north of 1-10 as a buy-in for north Louisiana,” Scarborough said.
“That’s when I offered the Kent House. This event is not only a grand party for a grand old house, but it’s about education. There will be docents and guides in every room of the house during the event.”
As it is, Kent House is a rich source of Central Louisiana history, but tying into the bicentennial will affirm the plantation’s role in the state’s history.
The kickoff event will take place on the bricks behind the house.
The Bicentennial of Louisiana Statehood Official Kickoff Event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday with a posting of the colors by re-enactors from Fort Jessup in Sabine Parish. The men will wear uniforms from 1803.
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore’ (Ret.) and newly re-elected Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be the guest speakers. Louisiana nature photographer CC Lockwood will also be at the event to unveil his design for a commemorative United States postage stamp.
The Carlow Choir will sing “Hail, Columbia,” a patriotic song written in 1812 which served as an unofficial national anthem during that time.
The choir, led by non-Louisiana native John DeChiaro, will also sing the current national anthem. DeChiaro said he hopes people will listen to both songs and consider critical comparison.
“It really shows the universality of music,” he said. “Music is still music.”
DeChiaro moved to Louisiana five years ago, and he said the community has fully embraced him and his music.
“I already feel like a hometown boy,” he said. “I think the one thing that has really impressed me is how open they — Louisiana and Alexandria — are to different types of music. It’s heartwarming to see the way everybody has opened up to me.” And that, DeChiaro said, is the true spirit of Louisiana.
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