Melrose in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

African House and Clementine Hunter's Murals

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 2, 2023

1. African House and Clementine Hunter's Murals Marker

Inscription.
How was African House built? This hut-like structure was constructed by skilled slaves in the 1820s. Their toil included digging clay, shaping it into molds and firing to create bricks for the first floor. The second floor was crafted with carefully hand-hewn cedar logs dovetailed without the use of nails. A hip roof of cedar cypress shingles crowns the building with a 12-foot overhang. Though the materials and techniques resemble French-style construction, the architecture is reminiscent of a sub-Saharan African building.

Why is the building named African House? Records show the building was known by several different names-Casa Barn- until receiving its permanent name in 1941. In that year, a team from the Historic American Buildings Survey arrived to document the building. A surveyor asked writer and long-time resident Francois Mignon for the building's name. The ever-inventive Mignon responded "African House."

The Murals of Folk Artist Clementine Hunter
The second floor of African House features nine murals depicting the early 20th century landscape and scenes of daily life at Melrose by folk artist Clementine

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Hunter (1886-1988). Francois Mignon encouraged Hunter to create the series which she said was "something she wouldn't mind doing." By this time Hunter, who worked at Melrose as a farm-hand, maid and cook, had been painting for 15 years, creating thousands of paintings. Painted in 1955, the murals are among the most famous of her works, drawing scenes from Hunter's memory including a baptism, funeral, wedding, a church revival and cotton picking.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historic American Buildings Survey series list.

Location. 31° 36.005′ N, 92° 58.015′ W. Marker is in Melrose, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It can be reached from Route 119 half a mile south of Louisiana Highway 493, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3533 LA-119, Melrose LA 71452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana.

It is also in the

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 2, 2023

2. African House and Clementine Hunter's Murals Marker

American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yucca Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Clemetine Hunter Home and Studio (within shouting distance of this marker); Yucca House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bindry (within shouting distance of this marker); Weaving House (within shouting distance of this marker); Big House (within shouting distance of this marker); Melrose Barn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ghana House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melrose.

More about this marker. Located on the grounds of the Melrose Plantation. Admission required for either a self walking

African House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler

3. African House

Photo taken c. 2006

grounds tour, or guided tour of entire complex.

Clementine Hunter's Murals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler

4. Clementine Hunter's Murals

One section of Mural. Photo taken c. 2006

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.