Michael Wyatt with the Louisiana Trust for Historical Preservation (LTHP) was the guest speaker at the CHPS Annual meeting held on Jan 27th.

Mr. Wyatt is the first Preservation Field Services Coordinator for the LTHP. He was hired last year, with funds provided by the Wilson Challenge Grant (a 3-year Partner in the Field program funded by the National Trust and generous contributions from local sponsors throughout the state).

In his presentation, Mr. Wyatt, shared the LTHP Endangered Properties List, including several from Shreveport and Alexandria. He provided some encouraging news: people are showing interest in saving some of the beautiful sites for possible adaptive reuse (including a church).

He has asked CHPS members for input for any sites that we are aware of being in danger of demolition or neglect. This is an opportunity for Southwest Louisiana to become noticed by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation (and the state).

He announced that the 2011 Louisiana Preservation Conference (jointly hosted by LTHP and the La. Division of Historic Preservation) will be April 6-8 in Leesville, La.

CHPS members were encouraged to take advantage of a 6 month's complimentary LTHP membership opportunity. An application was handed out at the meeting and a printable version has been placed here.