News & Events
Recently, Paul Bledsoe was able to visit James Safford of Grosse Tete, Iberville Parish. James is brother of Margaret Safford-Canella. They are descendants of Sidney Levert Sr. of St. Delphine Plantation at Brusly. Levert married Mary Bird, daughter of Abraham Thompson Bird (1824-1908), and granddaughter of Thompson Joseph Bird, son of Abraham Bird Sr. James Safford owns a family heirloom, said to have belonged to Abraham Thompson Bird (1824-1908). It is a hand carved wooden tobacco humidor, designed to hold loose tobacco for pipe smoking or rolling cigarettes. It is of the "Black Forest" style and carved from a single piece of Poplar. It was probably created between 1835 and 1860 in Switzerland. It may have been purchased in New Orleans as a gift to Abraham Thompson Bird.
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We've earned a 2025 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency!!
Candid provides potential Donors and Supporters the latest information on our nonprofit. It validates that we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that we are in current compliance with IRS law. After you sign up, it will give you access to any non-profit profile that is within their database.
We rely on our profile to gather support; it enables funders and donors to find us and learn about our impact. We’ll keep our profile up to date so you can see what your donations help us accomplish. But you will also be able to learn about our accomplishments on this website - on this "News" page and on the Home page.
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Bledsoe Named SAR Chapter President
Paul Bledsoe was recently inducted as the new President FOR 2025 of the General Philemon Thomas Chapter, Louisiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is looking forward to an active year as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. See the chapter's Facebook page for information about their activities.
Below is an image from the 2024 ceremony observing the Battle of Baton Rouge, which was recently designated a National Event by the National society of the Sons of the American Revolution!https://www.facebook.com/SARGPT
Use this QR Code to go to the chapter's Facebook page on your phone.
New Board Member & Vice President!
We are so pleased to announce the addition of Natalie Truax to the Board of Directors of HPCA!. Natalie is a native Louisianan and an active contributor to her community. She is an LSU cum laude grad with degrees in history and mass communication. Her leadership background with Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana Chapter 1 and her involvement with the schools in her community are notable and continues today. Natalie has worked for the State of Louisiana in the information technology department for more than 20 years. She is currently the Enterprise Architecture infrastructure manager. This serves as the technical foundation for major state computer applications. Natalie worked as a freelance newspaper reporter for 20 years for the Livingston Parish News in Denham Springs, La. Aside from her work, she spends time traveling, exploring history, and visiting interesting cemeteries. Welcome Natalie!
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Notice of Restricted Entry
In agreement with the management of the LSU AgCenter, Doyle Chambers Research Station, the gate to the Bird Family Cemetery is now locked, effective 27 Sep 2024. This action complies with Louisiana Title 8, Chapter 10-A; Title 8, Section 903; and Title 14 (desecration). The cemetery is covered by the regulatory authority of the Louisiana Division of Archaeology by virtue of Chapter 10A of Title 8.
Because the cemetery must be protected from further damage and theft, and until most planned repairs are completed, entrance to the cemetery requires an appointment to be made with a member of the HPCA Board. Admittance is limited to between 11:00am to 2:00pm daily. Please call at least one day ahead of your requested visit date. To schedule entry call 225-268-6668 (no texting), or email to info@hpcaebr.org.
After the majority of grave repairs are completed, the gates will then be normally open, except when the AgCenter crew is moving cattle from grazing field to research building and vice versa, in order to prevent cattle from entering the cemetery.
FLASH!
Our new Facebook and Instagram pages are now up and running! We will keep you posted on the latest news, as shown below, in these two social media platforms. Click on either icon below to take you there.
Presentation Well Received
On 15 Jan 2023 Paul Bledsoe presented the story of Captain Abraham Bird, Revolutionary War veteran who is buried in an unmarked grave in Baton Rouge, along with the story of the little cemetery where he is buried. It captivated the audience and produced many questions. Nearly everyone who attended patiently waited their turn to meet Bledsoe and discuss their impressions. Several present were descendants of Bird and shared information with Bledsoe. He said: "I knew there were descendants living in West Baton Rouge Parish. I was impressed with how many knew about him and their links to him! It was a great meeting! My thanks to Debbie Martin for inviting me and arranging everything!"
Our Plans and Future State Images have moved!
We have moved the "future state" items to the Home page. It includes our future plans for the Bird family cemetery, photos, a beautiful new visionary painting, and sketches that will help you understand what the cemetery is like today and what it may look like some day.
Big Surprise - Small Package!
15 Jan 2023 - Paul Bledsoe got a surprise at his presentation on Sat.,13 Jan 2023 at the WBR Museum. The museum was able to pull from their archives the personal secretary that once belonged to Mary Jones Bird. It was displayed by the Museum on a table in the meeting room. What was more surprising was how small it is - less than 12" wide by 8" deep by 10" high! The images were affected by the acrylic box placed over it. Our thanks to Lauren Hawthorne, Curator of Collections!
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More info about the secretary can be found at the bottom of this page.
Paul Bledsoe's presentation on Captain Abraham Bird Sr.: A Forgotten Pioneer and Patriot is listed in the calendar of the January, 2024 edition of Country Roads Magazine. Check it out!
"Far Beyond the Settlements" - (c) 2023 David Wright
Paul Bledsoe to Give Talk on Abraham Bird and his Burial Site,
Sat., Jan. 13th, 2024
When: 13 Jan 2024 at 10:30am
Event Sponsored by: West Baton Rouge Museum and West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society
Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.
Open to the Public
Join the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society at the West Baton Rouge Museum on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 10:30am - 12 Noon for a talk on:
Captain Abraham Bird Sr.: A Forgotten Pioneer & Patriot
with guest speaker, Paul Bledsoe
