2011 Annual Meeting Held at Woosley Home
The annual meeting of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society (CHPS) was held on January 27th at the home of Carolyn and Mary Woosley at 1401 Shell Beach Drive c. 1920.
In keeping with CHPS custom, CALCA and Landmark Awards were presented, elections held for the new Board of Directors and a report outlining the year's efforts by CHPS was presented.. Also, as part of the program, members were allowed to tour the entire 3 stories of this beautiful and historic home. A.C. Boudier provided the following historical insight about this landmark home, known as "The George Law House".
"A long-time area resident, George Law was connected with the lumber and timber industry and Murray-Brooks Co. The English style house was designed by I.C. Carter, an early Lake Charles architect. It may be recalled later, Law, as a vestryman of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, left money in his will for construction of the church's bell tower.
The home was purchased in 1941 by William T. Burton for his daughter, Edith Shaddock. She made changes by adding a large living room with a fireplace off the dining room. She later enlarged the dining room and added a breakfast area off the newly remodeled kitchen.
After the death of Mr. Shaddock, Edith married Stephen Plauche. At her death, her daughter, Evelyn Woosley, moved into the house. Evelyn Wooseley's daugthers, Mary and Carolyn, have possession of the house at this time and have maintained its beautiful and elegant decor.
The formal rose garden with its airy gazebo and marble statuary repeat in miniature the column arrangements of the house. Although the structure is of English influence, Mrs. Plauche furnished the home with both French and English furniture which is in evidence today."
Special thanks to Carolyn and Mary Woosley for their generous hospitality in hosting the annual meeting!