Organization puts 15 historic sites on Endangered Places list
ST. FRANCISVILLE, LA (WAFB) - The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation announced Monday they've added 15 locations to their Endangered Places list.
This means the trust will be focusing their efforts on renovating these sites. Among those sites added are the old Baskin High School Building in Franklin Parish, the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Bogalusa, and the Old East Carroll Parish Courthouse.
The one closest to Baton Rouge is the old Benevolent Society building in St. Francisville. Built in 1883, it served as both a burial for African Americans following the Civil War, and a spot where they could get training in etiquette.
"That is history," said Sara Wilson-Rogers, one of the preservationists trying to save the site. "History is always important to keep, number one. But then, this is the only site for the African Americans that's left in town."
Tours of the facility stopped in December of 2016 because the floors were unstable.
The trust gets their funding from gr ants, donations, and membership fees. No tax dollars go towards their work. You can donate to the trust by going to their website.
Executive Director Brian Davis says anyone can get involved to help preserve the sites. "It does represent endangered sites from all across all corners of the state," he said. "So we're really looking forward to working with the owners of these properties and trying to find some kind of creative resolve to the issues that they're facing."
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