Mission Statement:

The Shreveport Historic Preservation Society (SHPS) strongly encourages and supports the preservation, rehabilitation, and repurposing of buildings and properties in downtown Shreveport and nearby adjacent neighborhoods.

Accomplishments & Future Projects:

1. We established the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society Research Fellowship at Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 2016. The recipient of the research fellowship is expected to obtain and publish original research on the City of Shreveport prior to 1960.

2. We have provided opportunities for local history to be presented in a public forum at a historic site:

a. LSU-S Historian Dr. Gary Joiner’s “Shreveport’s History” given in September, 2011 at the historic Chruch of the Holy Cross (CD’s still available);

b. “The Wallace Lake Plane Crash” presentation given by author Mr. Ernie Roberson, Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters at historic Fertitta’s Deli on January 10, 2014 (DVD’s still available);

c. “Three Photographers – Their Road to Excellence” presentation was given at the historic Wray Ford Building on Market Street. Featured speakers were WWII veterans Mr. Jack Barham, former photographer for the Shreveport Journal, Mr. Fletcher Thorn-Thomsen, founder of Par Excellence, and Mr. Thurman C. Smith, master photographer and owner of Thurman C Smith Photography.

3. The SHPS cooperates with other like-minded groups and organizations to help achieve mutual goals. Past examples include the following:

a. Co-Sponsorship of the Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation’s Hidden History Tours (2011-2014);

b. Co-Sponsorship of the O. Winston Link Centennial Photograph exhibit at Centenary College (2014-2015);

c. Help with the NORLA Preservation Project to move and rehabilitate six Peabody Street “Shotgun Houses,” which included sharing of newspaper stories on these houses and an extensive photographic collection of the same for exhibit at a gallery in Bossier City (2013-2014);

d. Sharing of vintage images with Twin Blends for their “Shreveport Then and Now” blending of vintage and current images for sites of interest in Shreveport (2016);

e. Sharing of information and data with all interested persons doing personal and professional research on Shreveport history through City Directories, Telephone Books, and photographic images.;

f. Continued cooperation with the Shreveport Water Works Museum, Friends of the McNeil Street Pumping Station Preservation Society, Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation, Friends of the Spring Street Historical Museum, Red River Valley Historical Society, Friends of the Spring Street Museum, Twin Blends, and other organizations.

4. What we are planning for the future:

a. Co-Sponsorship with Centenary College for exhibition of Ed Chopin’s collection of 1918 professional and original 8×10 photographs of Shreveport.;

b. Co-Sponsorship with 206 Milam Street L.L.C. for an alternate exhibition of Ed Chopin’s collection of 1918 professional and original 8×10 photographs of Shreveport.;

c. Co-Sponsorship with Twin Blends of a presentation of talk, discussion, and viewing of Twin Blend’s Then and Now videos.;

d. Presentation of second Preservationist Award. Ms. Liz Swaine, DDA/DSDC director was the first recipient in 2013.

Board of Directors

President

• W. Conway Link – Gallery 1877 (206 Milam Street, Shreveport, La.), Louisiana State University Department of Mathematics (Retired), Former LaSIP Site Coordinator, Centenary College of Louisiana

Vice President

• Agatha Fertitta-McCall – Owner, Historic Fertitta’s Deli

Secretary

• Jeff Cornelius

Treasurer

• Leonard Gresens – Corner Stone Financial Services

Directors

• Bess Maxwell – Administrator Assistant at St. Marks Cathedral
• Ed Chopin – Retired CPSB
• Jennifer Drygas – First Baptist Church School
• Brandon Mitchell – Barksdale Federal Credit Union

Ex-Officio Director

• Dr.Gary Joiner – Associate Professor & Chair, Division History/Science LSUS