Workshops

Genealogy

Exploration in African American Genealogy

Dates: May 6th, 13th, and 20th, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE

West Baton Rouge Museum will be the host site for a new series exploring the challenges of African American genealogy research that will take place on Saturdays, May 6th , 13th , and 20th , 2023 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Participants will engage in their own family tree in a three-week interactive workshop series with notable guest speakers recognized in the field of genealogy and hands-on family tree building. This series is sponsored in part by the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society with collaboration from the West Barton Rouge Parish Library and spearheaded by West Baton Rouge Historical Association board member, Debbie Doiron Martin. Participants will be invited back on Sunday, May 21st from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM for a roundtable discussion to share their own stories, challenges, and family connections amongst the group. This program is FREE and open to the public. However, advance registration is requested by contacting the Museum.

Participants can expect to get a better understanding of the challenges involved in tracing one’s African American ancestry. Special guest presenters will enlighten participants with their historical knowledge, the challenges they have found with their own searches for ancestors, and valuable resources and information to help others trace their own lineage. The May 6th guest presenter will be Noah Lapidus, a specialist in African American Research and a research manager at AncestryProGenealogists, the research division of Ancestry.com sharing how to break the Emancipation wall and identify enslaved ancestors. May 13th brings Ja’el “YaYa” Gordon, Professional Historian and Genealogist speaking on Antebellum History Research. On May 20th, Alex Da’ Paul Lee, Sr, Archivist for St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court and Genealogist will speak on his research that has led to preserving thousands of family photos and documents and connecting with thousands of relatives via social media. Local contributors include Luis Interiano of the West Baton Rouge Parish Library sharing valuable collections and research tools available at the library, and Debbie Doiron Martin also known as the Cemetery Lady talking about the importance of cemetery documentation. All of the special guest presenters will return for the Sunday, May 21th round table discussion.

Exploration in Acadian Genealogy

Dates: June 10th, 17th, and 24th, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE

West Baton Rouge Museum will be the host site for a new series exploring the challenges of Acacian genealogy research that will take place on three consecutive Saturdays: June 10th, 17th, and 24th, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Participants will engage in their own family tree in a three-week interactive workshop with notable guest speakers recognized in the field of genealogy. Each session will conclude with a roundtable discussion to share stories, research challenges, and family connections discovered amongst each other through this discussion and exploration of family history.

Special guest lecturers that will be presenting as a part of this series include the following:

Stella Caline Tanoos, member of the Board of Directors of Le’Comite, the Iberville Museum, several genealogical societies, and author or Lost Louisiana: The Cattle Drives of Louisiana.
Billy Hebert is a member of the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, La., L'Ordre de Bon Temps, president of the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society, and serves on the Board of Directors of the West Baton Rouge Historical Association, the Advisory Board of the Brusly Landmark and Heritage Commission, and is a founding member of the West Baton Rouge Acadian Heritage Celebration.
Daniel Blanchard has followed his family's Acadian Odyssey from the Acadiana, to the shores of Nova Scotia, Canada, and throughout France. He speaks fluent Louiaiana French, participates in French tables, attends Acadian events throughout Louisiana including the Grand Réveil Acadien ("The Great Acadian Awakening"), the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, and the Fête-Dieu du Tèche Eucharistic Boat Procession. Blanchard is also an active member of the Blanchard Family Association.

This series is sponsored in part by the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society with collaboration from the West Barton Rouge Parish Library and spearheaded by West Baton Rouge Historical Association board member, Debbie Doiron Martin.

This workshop is FREE and open to the public. However, advanced registration is encouraged by contacting the Museum.

Split White Oak Basket Making

With Artist Geraldine Robertson

Dates: May 22nd, 2023 - May 26th, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: FREE

Join Louisiana tradition bearer Geraldine Robertson in a weeklong series at the West Baton Rouge Museum for an immersive workshop on the art of making split white oak baskets from gathering materials in the woods to constructing a basket to keep from start to finish. The workshop will be presented Monday, May 22nd, 2023 - Friday, May 26th, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Funded with support from the Louisiana Folklore Society, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, this series is being presented with the objective of passing on the knowledge and tradition of this craft which is one of the most endangered traditions.

Geraldine Robertson, a native of Washington, Louisiana, is an award-winning folk artist. Not only has she demonstrated the art of split white oak basket making across the state of Louisiana at various cultural and historical sites and events, she was also invited to demonstrate her craft at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and in Europe. In a recent interview with the artist, Geraldine shared her enthusiasm for this upcoming workshop and stated, “I just want to teach, and I want the tradition to carry on!” She is eager to educate participants every inch of the way from locating, throwing (taking down), and busting (splitting) the tree in the woods to gathering weaving strips and posts and ultimately fashioning handmade baskets from the collected materials in a workshop space at the museum. She said that it’s hard work and it takes strength but she loves it, and anyone who puts their mind to it can do it too.

This program is being offered FREE of charge. However, space is limited, and advanced registration is required by contacting the Museum. Registered participants must commit to the five-day deep learning experience.

Tatting

West Baton Rouge Museum will host a series of tatting workshops led by Louisiana artist, Christy Benoit Castille. Tatting is a timeless handwork which dates back to the 1700’s and can be found throughout Europe. Tatting is used with a double thread to create double knots.

Beginner Shuttle Tatting

Dates: June 6th, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $30

Beginner Shuttle Tatting will be held on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. In this class, participants will use their fingers similar to knitting or crochet and will focus on mastering the double stitch. The results are creating beautiful edging that can be used on heirloom clothing. Please note, participants should not have dexterity (arthritis or joint) issues. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required by calling the Museum. The cost is $30.

Christy Benoit Castille is a member of many craft guilds such as Tatters Across Time, the Louisiana Crafts Guild, and the International Organization of Lace. She first became interested in tatting after seeing her great grandmother’s tatting shuttle and handwork. It has been her mission ever since not only to learn the craft but also to pass on the skill set and beautiful history of this traditional art form.

Basic Woodworking

The Museum is pleased to work with skilled artisan, Terry Landry, to present a series of wood working workshops inside the museum’s barn. Advanced, paid reservations are required due to class size limits. To register, please call the Museum.

Build a Footstool

Dates: TBD
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $150
Location: Museum Barn

Basic Woodworking: Build a Foot Stool is a two part workshop that will be held on April 15th, 2023 and April 22st, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Each participant in the class will build their own little four legged foot stool using only hand tools. Students will use saws, chisels, square, compass, brace, hammer and smooth plane. Cost of materials is included in the fee but students are required to bring their own tape rule. This class is limited to a maximum of four participants.

Build a Tool Tote

Dates: May 13th, 2023 and May 20th, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $150
Location: Museum Barn

Basic Woodworking: Build a Tool Tote is a two part session that will be held Saturday, May 13th, 2023 and May 20th, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Participants in this class will each build their own tool tote using saws, chisels, brace, marking gauge and hand planes. You will learn to mark and cut dovetails and dados to build the tote. The includes cost of materials. Although they are provided, those who have their own chisels and dovetails saw may wish to bring those as well. This class is limited to a maximum of four participants.

Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing Basics

Date: Scheduled Upon Request
Time:Scheduled Upon Request
Cost: $200
Location: Museum Barn

The West Baton Rouge Museum is home to a thriving Blacksmith Apprenticeship program. Classes are taught by Artist in Residence and professional blacksmith, Gary Hart and other special guests. The tuition for this course is $200 which includes supplies, a copy of the classic blacksmithing book The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex Bealer, and completed projects. Blacksmithing basics and blacksmithing ornamental skills will be taught. Participants will leave with basic blacksmithing knowledge and skill that can be built upon. Class sizes will be limited and will be offered on weekdays or weekends to accommodate participants’ schedules. Upon completion of the program, participants interested in continuing to hone their craft will be eligible to conduct demonstrations at the West Baton Rouge Museum by becoming blacksmithing volunteers.

Forging On

Date: Scheduled Upon Request
Time:Scheduled Upon Request
Cost: To Be Determined
Location: Museum Barn

The West Baton Rouge Museum will soon be adding a series of sessions covering more specialized blacksmithing techniques. This advanced program is designed for those who have completed Blacksmithing Basics and wish to build upon their skills. Fees will apply.