Grandmother Marguerite’s Trunk

Denham Springs Main Street/Old City Hall is partnering  with the West Baton Rouge Museum to offer a series of six one-hour interactive museum theater outreach programs entitled Grandmother Marguerite’s Trunk. This traveling program brings Louisiana history to classrooms, community centers, civic clubs, festivals, and retirement homes. 

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All performances will be held on Saturdays in June and July at 10:00 A.M at Old City Hall. Seating is limited. Registration is required.
 

Since 1995, Grandmother Marguerite’s Trunk has been a valuable tool in teaching 19th and 20th century South Louisiana folkways and traditions and also meets several Louisiana Department of Education curriculum standards. A visit from Grandmother Marguerite’s Trunk includes storytelling, hands-on activities, and a discussion led by a museum professional in period clothing.

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1880’s Farm Family - June 8, 2021 @ 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

Visit with Grandmother Marguerite as she goes through her day on the farm. Enjoy hands-on activities such as butter churning, washboard scrubbing, and other 19th century chores as she spins tales about life in a rural setting in the late 1800’s.  

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Colonial Louisiana- June 12, 2021 @ 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

Step inside Madame Marguerite’s Café to hear her firsthand account of Louisiana’s road to statehood from colonial French and Spanish rule and the Louisiana Purchase to American statehood in 1812. Participants handle artifacts, historic maps and documents, and role play early voting practices. 

    

A New Dress -July 10, 2021 @ 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

From shearing sheep and picking cotton to sewing fine fabrics, discover through demonstrations and discussion how 19th century clothing was constructed from start to finish. Participants learn about carding, spinning, weaving, dying, and sewing. Each participant will get to sew on a button by hand.

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19th Century- Pastimes July 17, 2021 @ 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

Have you ever wondered what folks did for fun before electronic gadgets were invented? Discover how the art of play teaches life skills, and learn the history behind a variety of toys and other pastimes while examining old fashioned play things and participating in games from long ago.

 

Civil War Women Perspectives-July 24, 2021 @ 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

Learn about the American Civil War through the eyes of five women who experience the war firsthand including a slave, a soldier, a plantation owner, a southern belle, and a young Acadian girl. The performance focuses on the daily hardships of war-torn Louisiana and is designed for middle and high school students and adults.

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World War II: The Home front -July 31, 2021 10:00 A. M.  at Old City Hall  115 Mattie Drive in Denham Springs

Step into the 1940’s to experience the challenges of the “Greatest Generation” through the eyes of a local “Rosie the Riveter” who uses oral histories, museum objects, period music, and newscasts to share tales of pride, patriotism, and propaganda of the WWII era.

 

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Quotes from Past Participants

• “This is a wonderful program! I can’t believe she brings so much stuff to the classroom!”

• “Every fourth grade teacher in Louisiana could use this program as it relates so well to our grade level expectations.”

• “Our school board added the Grandmother Marguerite’s Trunk program to its Comprehensive Curriculum Guide as a recommended classroom activity.”

• “Student engagement was phenomenal and the material was very informative!”

• Excellent program! The presenter did a great job keeping our Girl Scouts interested and engaged.” 

• “The reminiscing and storytelling aspects are especially enjoyable for retirement groups.”

• “This program serves as reminiscence therapy for the senior population at our nursing facility.”

• “Your presentation was outstanding – again!”