Heritage education fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural and natural heritage. In the Cane River region, through educational programs, community events, conferences, training workshops and related heritage activities help to provide learning opportunities, contribute to the prosperity of communities and their quality of life, and stimulate and encourage the public to collect, preserve, interpret, celebrate, present and disseminate heritage. The Cane River National Heritage Area partners with three organizations that facilitate heritage education within the Cane River region. Those organizations are the National Center for Technology and Training, the Old Courthouse Museum, and the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Each organization has summarized how they foster heritage education within the Cane River region and the State of Louisiana. Partnering with such entities as Cane River National Heritage Area, Natchitoches Main Street, Cane River Creole National Historical Park, NSU's Departments of Education and Social Science, and Culture, Recreation and Tourism's Office of Cultural Development, Heritage Education/Louisiana has hosted workshops for and provided mini grants to over 100 teachers around the state. These workshops aid in the development of curriculum-based lessons and activities using local resources as content. Through these programs, Heritage Education/Louisiana has highlighted the importance of our shared history and heritage and Louisiana's rich and unique cultural resources to nearly 10,000 students. Sheila Richmond Heritage Education Coordinator National Center for Preservation Technology and Training sheila_richmond@contractor.nps.gov NCPTT: Technology serving the future of America's heritage. The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. http://www.ncptt.nps.gov The Old Courthouse Museum Heritage education is the use of the rich local cultural and historic resources available in Natchitoches to teach school age children about their community. The Old Courthouse Museum?s education initiative educates visiting children through several programs held throughout the year. Our community?s resources help to put life into Natchitoches? history, which in turn puts history into the life of the child. Two programs held at the Museum during the summer are "History By the Week" and "Walk Back In Time". History By the Week is a weekly hour-long program presenting major themes of historic significance to the participants. Learning about topics such as Louisiana music, dance, historic architecture, Louisiana Native Americans and Louisiana flags by a brief narrative overview, interactive demonstrations and coordinated craft activities, the child has a better understanding of their history and cultural environment. Walk Back In Time is a weeklong program designed to educate the participant on a specialized topic. The theme for the week is chosen in conjunction with the Museum's current exhibition. Students learn about the topic by researching using many available historical and cultural resources, writing a script, and performing their dramatic interpretation. Topics such as "Life with Clementine Hunter", "The Earth Tells Our Story: North Louisiana Native Americans", and "Turn of the Century Times in Natchitoches" makes history come alive for the students. http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/natch1.htm Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches Each fall APHN offers "EXPLORING NATCHITOCHES: A Children?s Tour" of the Historic District in Natchitoches and historic sites in Natchitoches Parish. The tour is available to all third grade students at no charge within the parish. A goal of the children?s tour is to familiarize our children with local history and to enhance their learning experience of the community. Students visit seven of the twelve sites included in the tour. Sites include: Chamard-Dunahoe House, Cook-Taylor House, Ducournau Square, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Kaffie-Frederick Hardware Store, Lemee House, Levy-East House, Metoyer-Brown Town House, the Old Courthouse State Museum, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Roque House. At each of the sites visited, eighth grade students dress in period costumes and interpret historical characters of Louisiana history. The children?s tour also includes a hands-on art experience, Louisiana music, and a trolley ride throughout the Historic District in Natchitoches. The EXPLORING NATCHITOCHES: A Children?s Tour website and video are used by teachers and students as companions to the actual tour and assist in reinforcing the heritage education experience of Natchitoches Parish. http://www.explorenatchitoches.com/childrenstour back to heritage area