Persac Fence

Reconstruction Project

"Front of the Weeks Home" Persac- 1861January 3, 2011- Removal of Fence

 A painting of the Weeks home [now known as Shadows-on-the-Teche] by artist Adrien Persac, dated 1861 clearly depicts the details of the home’s front fence.  These details provided the main information for research by historians for the National Trust for Historic Preservation when the Shadows Persac fenc

e was first restored in the 1970s.  In the forty years since that fence was constructed, the inevitable rot and hurricane damages forced repairs.   When these repairs to the fence occurred, changes were made to incorporate the most updated and recommended materials to extend the fence’s life.  Despite these repairs, other parts of the fence continued to deteriorate, especially those portions which involved daily use. 

 The new historic-appearing fence will be enhanced by twenty-first century functional features. New posts will house a steel interior for improved strength.  Large gates will be supported by a wheel to ease opening and closing for special events and programs.  The weight of the large gates has caused problems with  nearby fencing and eventually led to sagging of these regularly used gates.

Photo of Shadows-on-the-Teche in early 1970s

 Before removal of the 1970s Persac fence, a second fence was constructed behind the fence pictured above.  Removal of the fence started early on Monday, January 3, 2011.  Removal of the entire front fence occurred on that day.   The center gate remains for now.  The next portion of the project involved checking all concrete foundations to determine which of them can be reused and what additional foundations must be poured.   Additional concrete footing will be added to support the brick  footing which appeared in the Persac painting.  A brick face will be installed on the footing.  These are some of the stages of construction which must occur before the 2011 fence looks exactly the way it did in 1861.  Completion of the project is scheduled for mid-March. 

New footing being added

Front Gate of the Shadows is all that remainsA Look at the Shadows

SHADOWS-ON-THE-TECHE
Shadows Civil War Encampment
Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, 2010
317 E. MAIN STREET, NEW IBERIA, LA 70560

 Visitors who enter the Shadows gardens during the weekend of November 6 and 7 will experience the thundering sounds of cannons and the scent of musket smoke lingering in the air as Civil War soldiers invade the oak lined Bayou Teche. The Bayou Teche Campaigns were vital to the Federal advance into the heart of Louisiana. Join us as we re-enact the invasion of the Teche region and the occupation of the Shadows-on-the-Teche in 1863. The special weekend event will include re-enactors and encampment on the grounds of the Shadows and will address both the impact of the War and its far-reaching effects during Reconstruction. 

 In addition to the living history, the Shadows guided tour will focus on specific information from letters written by the Weeks family in the Civil War years.  A special tour focusing on Reconstruction is also scheduled at specific times during the weekend.

 Visitors can select from a couple of options for their visit.  Available that weekend are adult and children’s rates for admission to the entire site including a guided Civil War tour of the Shadows or grounds only admission for the living history program.  Site hours are 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday with camps closing at 4 p.m. on Sunday.  The last tour of the Shadows will begin at 4:15 each day.  For additional information, call the Shadows at (337) 369-6446.

 As school begins and summer draws to an end, we all begin to look forward to cooler temperatures, football weekends, the holidays and to the Fall Shadows-on-the-Teche Arts & Crafts Fair!  This semi-annual fundraiser for the Shadows will be held on Saturday October 2^nd, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.  More than sixty artists from around the state will exhibit and sell their work.  Items include jewelry, candles, pottery, driftwood carvings, cypress furniture, stained glass & copper work, whimsical yard art, dresses and holiday bows for little girls, regional foods, paintings, prints, and much more.  It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas so come do your holiday shopping where you can find some unique gifts in a unique setting.  

 Vendors and artists will be set up along the Shadows fence and throughout the beautiful gardens of this National Trust Historic Site.  Admission to the event is $3.00 per person.  Raffle tickets will be sold to win items donated by the vendors.   In addition to the arts & crafts, food will be available for purchase.

 The Shadows is located at 317 East Main Street in New Iberia. Tours of the historic plantation home will be given throughout the day for an additional cost.  All funds raised will be used for the continued preservation of Shadows-on-the-Teche. For more detailed information or photos from earlier events, please contact:

 Adam Foreman
Visitor Services Coordinator
(337)369-6446
(337)365-5213 [fax]
adam_foreman@nthp.org
shadows@shadowsontheteche.org

Take Our Poll

The Buildings and Grounds Supervisor arrived for work at 8:00 am on April 19, 2010 to find the grounds vandalized. The vandals entered the site by breaking through the employee rear gate and began the devastation.

Vandals entered through rear employee gate

The group pushed two statues off their pedestals. One fell harmlessly in the grass while the other crashed onto a pebble path and broke into 37 pieces. They kicked and pulled security lighting off its fixtures and broke many banisters from the railing and shutters on the Front Gallery of the home.

 In the 50 years open to the public, the Shadows has never seen anything like this before and it was heartbreaking both as staff and a member of the community to see such a malicious act.  The Vandals caused nearly $30,000 in damage to the property. The high insurance deductible and tight budget would make the necessary repairs a huge challenge.

Spring after the Vandalism

 The day the story hit the presses, we saw a huge outpouring of support from the community. Very quickly, two fundraisers headed by different organizations and committees were organized.  The first fundraiser was on June 4, 2010. “A Roast of Sheriff Ackal” was organized by Mrs. Carolyn Groner, Mr. Wayne Peltier and their committee. This event was held at Clementine’s restaurant in Downtown New Iberia and approximately 150 people attended making just over $25,000. The second fundraiser was held one week later on June 12, 2010. “A Sweet Shadows Evening” garden party was organized by the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau with Mrs. Fran Thibodeaux as committee chair.  This event attracted approximately 140 people making just over $10,000. In addition to the two fundraisers, the Shadows received numerous donations from across the state, totaling just over $6,000.

The entire community has truly shown that this is Our house, Our landmark and Our history. In a time of need, this great community has gathered together and raised over $42,000; which will cover the cost of all repairs due to the vandalism and also allow us to expand the security system to include; video surveillance of the home, gardens and visitor center. In addition to the expanded security, the remainder of the funds will be placed in an interest-earning emergency account to ensure that we are ready if anything ever happens again. 

 The Shadows hired Mike Cogdell and Kenn Darity, two conservators from Art Restorations in Dallas, to repair the damaged statues. After several days their work was completed on June 10, 2010. The restoration of the two statues was the most expensive of the repairs needed with estimates around $10,000. The Shadows also called on Mr. Fred DeCourt with Iberia Building Systems to repair the front gallery shutters and banisters and Statewide Electric to repair the security lighting. Additionally, the Shadows received a Grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to replace the currently rotten and damaged “Persac” fence which surrounds the Shadows today.

Lt. Ryan Turner of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office said that detectives have not made any arrests in connection with this crime.

 The entire staff at the Shadows wishes to send a most heartfelt “Thank You” to the entire community of New Iberia and Acadiana for all of the generous support. We welcome each and each of you to visit this amazing historic site and see what you have helped save!