The Town of Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment Committee tour West Baton Rouge Museum

Kentwood Museum Historical Redevelopment Museum
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment recently visited West Baton Museum in Port Allen. The tour was attended by several members, including Irma T. Gordon, the Town of Kentwood, and others.  Our sincere thanks to Amanda Moak, Curator of Collections, and her staff for providing us with the tour and all the information about museum preservation. We were particularly impressed by the extensive collection of artifacts that showcased the rich region's history. The interactive exhibits provided an engaging experience, allowing us to explore West Baton's cultural heritage.

West Baton Parish was built on the sugarcane industry. The West Baton Rouge Museum is the only museum to preserve the history of sugar in Louisiana from the colonial period to the present day. We proceed to the plantation store and Juke Joint after watching a ten-minute documentary.  The site includes eight historic buildings. Although we didn't visit each building.

Monthly postcards containing all the monthly programs and events were equally impressive to me. You can find out more about the exhibitions during the Historical Happy Hour. The Historical Happy Hour is a monthly event that combines education with entertainment, offering visitors a chance to enjoy themed talks, live music, and refreshments while exploring the museum's exhibits. It's an excellent opportunity for history enthusiasts to engage with experts and learn more about specific topics related to the region's past. Attendees can socialize and network in a relaxed atmosphere, making it a popular gathering for both locals and tourists.

Ronald Harrell-President
Antoinette Harrell-Vice President
Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment Committee
Photo Credit: Connor Lacoste

Kudzu: The plant that ate the South

The infamous Kudzu
Kentwood, Louisiana 

Sometimes you will see vines covering trees and other vegetation in the South like a blanket. The vines are called kudzu. In the late 19th century, it was introduced from Asia. It soon became a real nuisance to the southern states. It will claim whatever is in its path, whether it's a tree, a telephone pole or bushes. Some researchers claim that kudzu covered millions of acres in the south. The southern landscape is under threat from these invasive vines. Kudzu grows rapidly and can smother native plants by blocking sunlight, which is essential for their survival. This leads to a significant reduction in biodiversity as native species are outcompeted and die off.  The dense mats of kudzu can alter soil composition and disrupt local ecosystems. Many people may not be aware of this. 

Yes, kudzu is here in Kentwood. Residents can help manage kudzu growth by regularly cutting back the vines to prevent them from spreading. They can also use herbicides specifically designed to target kudzu, although they should do so with caution to avoid harming other plants. Additionally, organizing community efforts to remove kudzu and restore native vegetation can be an effective long-term solution.

It is said that kudzu roots have 10 amazing health benefits. It has several additional names, including Japanese arrowroot,Chinese arrowroot, kudzu vine, kudzu roots, and kudzu herb. One of my friends from New York taught me how to make tea from kudzu leaves. To make kudzu tea, you start by harvesting fresh kudzu leaves, ensuring they are clean and free from pesticides. Next, wash the leaves thoroughly and steep them in boiling water for about 10-15 minutes. Finally, strain the leaves out and enjoy your tea either hot or chilled, adding a bit of honey or lemon for extra flavor if desired. You can also use the flowers to make tea. 

Link to learn more about Kudzu: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kudzu-root

Sweet Home Baptist Church History

Old Sweet Home Baptist Church
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

In a humble way, the Sweet Home Baptist Church members began to shape their destiny by adhering to the great Biblical guidelines. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6.

They believed in God and with this belief the first Church was organized in the late 1880s. The name Sweet Home could have been chosen because the first meetings took place in a home located northeast of town, on the east side of Cook Creek. Mrs. Hazel Kinzy recalls here step-father, Mr. Willis Bates, talking about the church being held in Buck Town in a field.  The Church existed for years in this location. Some of the pioneer families are buried there. Although a majority of those pioneers could neither read or write, they were possessed with and innate intelligence by which they were able to carry on successfully. It was such a faith and devotion that brought them through those trying years of the reconstruction era.

The building also served as a school consisting of primary through fourth grade. Mrs. Ruby Hookfin and Mrs. Inez Hookfin recall having to cross Cool Creek to attend School in the frame building. Mrs. Emma Buckhalter was the only teachers.

Some of the casualties from the terrible train wreck of November 1903 were buried in the Sweet Home Baptist Church area. In 1904 Hon. William H. Scanlon came to Kentwood as head bookkeeper for the Brooks-Scalon Mill. He arranged a building to be erected, with the debt to be satisfied by deducting $1. 00 from each church members employed at the mill. After sometime, the mill owner decided this would take too long and declared the bill paid in full for the building only. 

Sweet Home Baptist Church Cemetery

As time moved on the church, as we know it today, was organized by Reverend Mose Barnard in June
1910. Reverend S. Howard served as pastor from 1911-1916. His deacons were Benjamin Hook and J. B. Williams. In the mid 1920s the building was m moved west across Cool Creek. Older members remember the men using six or eight horses to skid it across the creek which took approximately six to eight weeks. During the time the church was in transit regular services were still held. After the building was moved to the west side, it continued to serve a dual purpose-church and school. With grades five and six added.  The Church ceased to be used as a school in 1940. 

Other pastors who have served are: Bradley (1916-1921), Bolivar (1921-1926), B. Robertson (1926-1935), Tobias (1935-1951), John Thompson (1951) to present. Second and fourth Sundays were service days, with Sunday School  being conducted every Sunday.

Thanks to Ms. Della Mae Wilson, a cash deed int eh amount of thirty-five dollars was paid to the Estate of J. H. Ellis for one acres of land. Witnesses were: Aquila Sibley, T.G. Womack, James H. Brumfield, Mrs. Emily. E. Owens, Mrs. M.K. Ellis, and Herbert Broyles, Notary Public.

The original frame building was first improved with concrete blocks, then bricked under the leadership of Reverend John Thompson. Interior improvements have also been made. We have come from torches to the comfort of electricity, air conditioning, drinking water fountains, carpets and comfortable pews. The pastor and choir have been robed, new collection plates and communion set have been purchased.

Deaconess who served are: Hazel Kinzy,  Grace Andrews, Vetra Brumfield, Emily Ware, Emma Taylor, Katie Brumfield, Beatrice Brumfield, and Annie Mae Strickland. 

Deacons have been: V.O. Brumfield, I.V. Kinzy, Willie Joe Ferdinand, Paul Robertson, Leo Andrews, Conrad Wyre, Wallace Brumfield, Ike Strickland and Henry Mercelous. Founding Father and Board of Trustees: Betty Perkins, Della Roman and Willis Bates.  The Willing Workers Club composed of women who raised the money to move the church. The Women's Amite River Baptist Association had its birth at our church in the year 1948. Two members, the late Lois Marcellus and Fochia V. Wilson has served as president of this organization. Elmira Wilkerson was one the first musicians in later years. Others who have followed are: Fannie Ard, Amos Addison, Yvonne Brumfield, Jerry Marcellus, Rev. Crosan, Rev. Michael Williams, Fannie and Emma McClendon. 

Sweet Home Baptist Church Cornerstone
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Source: Reprint from an article written and submitted by Mrs. Fochia V. Wilson

Kentwood Youth Photographer's First Photography Exhibition

Eric Gordon, Jr.
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Antoinette Harrell mentored Eric Gordon, Jr., as they share a love for nature and photography.  Around the world, Harrell's work has caught the attention of major photographers. Kris Davidson is one of those photographers. Her photographs have been featured in National Geographic, Lonely Planet Travels, and many others.

Justin Fornal a SATWF Lowell Thomas Award-winning writer. He has written extensively for National Geographic, VICE, and the Explorers Journal, Part Unknown, and Roads & Kingdom. He traveled to Kentwood, Louisiana and documented images here.Eric has been taking photographs since the moment he received a camera from Harrell. Harrell invited Eric to accompany her on a photo trip to document the local syrup makers in St. Helena Parish on Womack Place.  He took photos of the syrup making process and the people making it. His grandmother Irma T. Gordon, mayor of Kentwood looked on and was amazed at how he was moving around and taking photographs. 

A second trip was made to  LeBlanc Dairy Farm in Tangiphaoa, Louisiana. Eric was asked by Harrell to take photographs of the cattle from the side of the road in preparation for his upcoming exhibition. For his first exhibition, he was eager and excited to take photographs. The event was well attended, and 30 of his images were digitally displayed at the Kentwood Branch Library as part of the Remembering Dairy Day celebration.

Eric could be come the next Gordon Parks who became a photographer in 1937 after seeing examples of Farm Security Administration photographs reproduced in a magazine. Although he was twenty-eight years old. Gordon purchased his first camera, a Voigtländer Brillant, for $15.50 at a Seattle, Washington pawnshop and taught himself how to take photos. Eric can do anything he can dream of. One of the many things Harrell stress to Eric is how the camera in his hand can take him all over the world if he isn't afraid to explore, create, and work toward the dream.  This will not be last of Eric's photographs being on this display.