Misc:  Courthouse Museum Exhibit Examines Colonial Ties Between France and
Louisiana. 1999, Natchitoches Parish La

Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker



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The Natchitoches Times article.
December 10, 1999 issue.


'DES BORDS DE LOIRE AUX RIVES DU MISSISSIPPI'

COURTHOUSE MUSEUM EXHIBIT EXAMINES COLONIAL TIES BETWEEN FRANCE AND LOUISIANA.
     A French exhibit that provides an in-depth look at the ties between
Western France and Louisiana from 1750-1830 is at the Natchitoches Parish
Old Courthouse Museum.  In addition to defining trade and immigration
routes and how the political climate in France affected the colonies.
"From the Loire River to the Mississippi" examines the lives of several
Frenchmen who contributed to American culture.
     According to curator Jacques Ducoin, Capt. Jean Audubon, father of
artist John James Audubon, is the lead character in the exhibit because he
witnessed all the historic events that linked France to the New World.
     Also documented are the lives of Julien Poydras, born near Nantes,
France, who settled in Pointe-Coupee' Parish, and Volney, who corresponded
with Jefferson and who helped arrange the Louisiana Purchase.  Of local
interest is the immigration of the Pavie family from La Rochelle, France, to
Natchitoches in 1760.  Joseph and Etienne Pavie left France and settled on
the Red River.
     Their brother, Pierre, a priest, fled France to Natchitoches during the
French Revolution and became the  parish priest.  After the revolution, a
nephew, Charles, escaped an English prison and also settled on the banks of
the Red River.
     In 1829, 17-year-old Theodore Pavie left Angers, France, to visit his
uncle Charles in Louisiana.  Theodore's writings and particularly his
numerous drawings provide a wealth of information about landscapes in
Louisiana and Texas, including a recognizable drawing of Front Street in
Natchitoches.
     A period painting of New Rochelle that accompanies the Pavie family
saga, shows a view of the port, which, according to Ducoin, is virtually
unchanged today.
     Another facet of the exhibit is the exile of the Acadians from Nova
Scotia.  Some of the deportees were sent to France and later returned to
the New World, joining relatives who settled along the Louisiana coast.
     Ducoin is a historian who specializes in maritime and colonial history,
a consultant and former educator.  He spoke through interpreter Christine
Ferrell.
     Ducoin organized the exhibit that has been shown in several Louisiana
cities in 1999 and will be shown in Nacogdoches, Texas, Jacksonville, Fla.,
and Seattle, Wash., before returning to France.
     Ducoin said the exhibit was organized at the request of Lt. Gov.
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, who wanted to coordinated an exhibit in conjunction
with FrancoFete.  The exhibit is sponsored in part by
Coueron-Audobon-Atlantique.  Bretagne-Acadoe-Louisiana and les Regional
Council of Pays-de-Loire, County Council of Loire-Atlantique, County
Council of Vendee', City of Coueron, City of La Fleche, City of Nante, City
of Reze', City of Paimboeuf and City of Les Sables d'Olonne.
     According to Museum Director Carolyn Harrington, the exhibit will be on
display through Dec. 27.  The courthouse Museum is located at 600 Second
St., and is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.  For more information,
call the Museum at (318)357-2270.
     The exhibit web page can be visited at
http://www.c-plaza.com/rmp2/francofete/WEBEXPO00/SITEFRANCAIS/intro.htm.
Ducoin can be e-mailed at J.Ducoin@wanadoo.fr