Northwestern State University signed a cooperative agreement with the City of Many to provide advisory services to the Many Cultural District Committee in selecting and exhibiting historic photographs, artwork and other items to exhibit at Many’s Sabine Parish Historical Museum, the former Kansas City Southern Depot.
Many Mayor, Ken Freeman, and City Councilwoman, Mary Brocato, represented the Committee in formalizing the agreement saying they hope NSU faculty and staff with expertise in regional history, culture and preservation will help organize, curate and exhibit the items to tell stories of the area and people who have lived there.
“The immediate mission of the Cultural Committee on this endeavor is to select and obtain appropriate items to carry out the theme of No Man’s Land or the neutral strip which encompassed all of Sabine Parish,” said Brocato, who is president of the Cultural District. “We will also include exhibits on the significance of the railroad industry in Sabine Parish and exhibits on the history and culture of the parish.”
Many’s Cultural District Committee has previously renovated and restored the old Sabine Theatre and converted it to the Many Community Center where free movies, music concerts, plays and other cultural events are hosted. They also organized Book Nooks, mini free libraries for sharing books, around town.
NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio said the partnership is another example of how Northwestern State enhances the cultural fabric of northwest Louisiana by providing resources to rural communities in the area.
“This agreement has great potential for students and faculty interested in learning about and sharing knowledge in history, social sciences, cultural studies, art, anthropology and other disciplines,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “We look forward to working with the Many Cultural District Committee on this on-going project.”
Information about Many’s Sabine Parish Historical Museum is available by contacting Brocato at (318) 617-5239 or emailing brocatomary@gmail.com.
