Morehouse Parish is a long way from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
For citizens who appreciate the value of history, however, the journey back in time can begin at one of four museums the parish has to offer.
Morehouse Parish museums are important assets to the community, both as places of learning and the preservation of our shared cultural heritage.
The Snyder Museum & Creative Arts Center on East Madison Avenue is a fascinating repository for historical artifacts, artistic exhibits and hands-on learning for students.
“Museums are important because they keep our history alive,” said Snyder Museum director Syble Sanders.
Housed in the 1929 Mediterranean-style home of Bastrop businessman Charles Snyder, the Snyder Museum features American Indian relics, a horse-drawn hearse and a vintage Steiff Teddy bear among its permanent collection.
The Snyder Museum is open to the public from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at no charge. Visit www.snydermuseum.com to learn more.
The Collinston Museum began as a grass-roots project when the village celebrated its centennial five years ago. Since then, it has grown as local people have donated items from their attics, barns and basements.
“Any museum is a place you can spend hours in,” said museum committee president Buddy Savage. “We don’t get a lot of visitors, but the ones who do come are fairly well impressed.”
The museum is housed in the 1928 Collinston town hall and includes such unique artifacts as a Christmas card mailed in 1908 from the long-vanished village of Cleara; a working 19th-century telephone; a stuffed blackbird with white feathers; and the old village jail cell, manufactured in the late 1800s.
A machine called a sculptoscope -- similar to a stereoscope -- is one of many antique gadgets to be found here. Savage, who is a lifelong resident of Morehouse Parish, said he can remember when and how many of these items were used.
The museum also includes a restored turn-of-the-century doctor’s office with period furnishings and medical instruments used in early heart transplants.
The Collinston Museum is located on Main Street and is open to the public from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays, or by appointment by calling Savage at 348.4761 or Shirley Chilton at 874.5435. The museum is operated and funded by volunteers, and continues to accept donations.
Bonita’s Village Museum is housed in a former doctor’s office next door to the village Town Hall and Travelers Welcome Center on U.S. 165.
“With an eye to the future and a desire to retain the past, the building was donated for use as a museum in order to keep area history alive,” said Bonita town clerk Barbara Sharik. “Teachers have brought their classes and the youngsters were delighted to wander throughout, viewing an array of items representative of families in the Bonita and Jones area.”
Sharik said the museum is also visited by motorists passing through Bonita.
“Since there are no roadside rest areas for many miles, travelers are overjoyed to come upon the Village Museum Rest Stop. Folks stop, rest, enjoy a picnic and visit the museum. At the welcome center next door, they can obtain valuable travel information and brochures about Morehouse Parish.”
The Village Museum is open to the public from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, or by appointment by calling 823.2128. There is no admission, but donations are accepted.
Sharik said the museum is currently sponsoring a membership drive, and anyone who would like to take part can learn more by calling the number above.
The Starr Homeplace has all of the qualities of a museum, but it is also much more.
Founder Joe Rolfe has collected countless artifacts from state and local history, including small buildings such as a 1920s tenant’s house, 1870 music school room and a 1950 mill house.
“We have recently added a sawmill, a print shop, a kitchen, a loom room and a sheet metal shop,” said Rolfe. “We are always in need of volunteers to help bring these different areas to life, both in terms of demonstrating and in restoring the tools and equipment into working shops.”
The Homeplace hosts Community Days on the second Saturday of the month, in which artisans are invited to demonstrate their crafts for the public.
“We also need volunteers for our organization at all levels, from dedicated board members to folks who will help put on Community Days to those with grant writing and fund raising skills,” said Rolfe.
“Ours is not a come and look facility -- it is a come and look and use and learn and share place.”
The Starr Homeplace is located on La. 133 north of Oak Ridge. Visit www.starrhomeplace.org to learn more about this unique place.
