Join the Natchitoches Historic Foundation for a uniquely curated Christmas tour of “Steel Magnolias” porches. The tour will begin at The Historic Cunningham Law Office (550 Second Street) and end at the Prud’homme-Roquier House (446 Rue Jefferson). The entire tour is approximately one and one-half miles.

Due to safety concerns the tour is divided into three groups limited to 40 persons. Each Thursday night the first group (RED Group or 5pm ticketholders) checks in at 5:00pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 5:30pm. The 2nd group (GOLD Group or 5:15pm ticket holders) checks in at 5:15pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 5:45pm. The 3rd group (GREEN Group or 5:30 ticket holders) checks in at 5:30pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 6:00pm.

Ticket holders join us at the historic Cunningham Law Office (550 Second Street) for light refreshments and then will embark on a GUIDED walking tour through our National Landmark District stopping at properties and sites featured in the movie, Steel Magnolias. The tour will make various stops at select properties where ticket holders will enjoy movie trivia, Christmas decorations, and history, along the way.

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. We keep accurate records of all ticket holders should your emailed receipt be lost.

PLEASE NOTE: The tour will take approximately 2 hours. The entire tour is approximately one mile. WEAR YOUR WALKING SHOES! This particular tour does NOT accommodate driving from location to location. If you are unable to walk long distances, please join us for one of our Friday or Saturday tours. We apologize for any inconvenience.

*Because the Steel Magnolias Porches Tour is mostly outdoors, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. If the tour is cancelled, we will honor all Steel Magnolias Porches Tour tickets at either our Friday or Saturday tours. No action will be required on your part. We keep accurate records of all tickets and ticket holders at each property. Friday and Saturday Tours are mostly indoors, so we never cancel them. In the event of rain or bad weather on Friday or Saturday, pack an umbrella and plan to enjoy something special indoors. Refunds will be available upon request.

The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. The entire tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Please plan accordingly.

You may begin your tour at any of the 3 properties featured. Tickets may also be purchased at the front door of every property. We do NOT sell out. *For large group rates (30+) please contact Christina Johnson at 318-228-7083.

Tours will NOT be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Be sure to pack an umbrella!

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. We keep accurate records of all ticket holders at each property should your emailed receipt be lost.

We invite you to experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event. Proceeds from the tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.

You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below:

Prud’homme-Rouquier House (446 rue Jefferson):

Francois Rouquier built this extraordinary home in 1790. His home was considered a showplace of its time, containing more elaborate architectural details than other structures in the area. It is the largest bousillage structure in North America. The Service League of Natchitoches curates a unique presentation of local history, art, and Christmas traditions to inspire visitors to come back year after year. The Prud’homme-Rouquier House is available to rent. For more information visit www.service-league.net

The Jefferson House (229 rue Jefferson):

Christmas Around the World – The Jefferson House Bed and Breakfast is a Colonial-style home circa 1967 built by Jules Barre, features century old hand-hewn cypress beams, eloquently furnished with Far Eastern antiques along with Santa’s and décor from around the globe. Its beautiful terrace and tranquil courtyard accented with Lombok pottery overlooks the Cane River. The Jefferson House operates as a bed and breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.jeffersonhousebedandbreakfast.com

Chaplin House (434 2nd Street):

The Chaplin House, one of Natchitoches’ most iconic historic homes, was famously featured as "Aunt Fern’s" home in the beloved film Steel Magnolias. Fans will recognize it from the emotional scene when Sally Field’s character, M’Lynn, picks up her grandson after Shelby’s passing. Jackson runs down the front walk and leaps into her arms. This beautifully preserved property offers visitors a rare glimpse inside a home that holds both cinematic and local significance. During the Christmas Tour of Homes, guests can explore its elegant interior and learn about the remarkable family who built it. Don’t miss the chance to experience the charm and history of this treasured Natchitoches landmark.

The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. The entire tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Please plan accordingly.

You may begin your tour at any of the 3 properties featured. Tickets may also be purchased at the front door of every property. We do NOT sell out. *For large group rates (30+) please contact Christina Johnson at 318-228-7083.

Tours will NOT be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Be sure to pack an umbrella!

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. We keep accurate records of all ticket holders at each property should your emailed receipt be lost.

We invite you to experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event. Proceeds from the tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.

*Saturday tickets include a complimentary ticket to The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum located at 800 Front Street.

You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below:

The Dickens House (855 rue Washington):

Only steps away from the brick streets of downtown, this charming historic cottage reflects the homeowner’s love of elegant furnishings and the Christmas season. Traditional decorations in classic red and green are prominent throughout the house. The collection of Snow Village churches and buildings surrounding the tree are reminiscent of the historic structures found on Cane River.

Two Goose House (416 Williams Ave.):

Featured in the February 1949 issue of House and Garden, a little house in Lake Forest, Illinois, owned by Countess Gloria Potocki and designed by architect Jerome Cerny, was the inspiration for Two Goose built by Bob Henry for Annette and Alvin DeBlieux in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Because it stretched into two years for “Miss Annette” to make up her mind on all the details of the charming house, the local townsfolk began saying that it took so long for the house to be built that the geese had flown, never lived! Thus the name took form: Two Goose. The house was begun in 1949 and finished in 1951; the DeBlieux family lived there until 1971, when Miss Annette left due to illness, and the house was rented for the next ten years. In 1981, the Randall M. Keator III family bought the house. The Keator family did some immediate restoration and remodeling and has made it their home ever since. During the holiday season guests always comment on the chandeliers and arches of holly in this charming Colonial-style home. Black reindeer prance on the roof and lanterns warmly glow in front windows throughout the Christmas season. As one local teacher put it, "You might spot the school’s 8th grade visiting!"

Keegan House (225 Williams Ave.):

The Keegan House began its life as a very simple farmhouse. Built in circa 1850, this pre-civil war, virgin pine construction had a much different appearance than the one and a half story home you see today. The house began as four rectangular rooms - two on each side of a central breezeway known as a dog trot. In the 1920s, the Keegans, the family for whom the house is now named, transformed this simple, dog trot farmhouse into a Colonial Revival-style home. Their renovation included incorporation of indoor plumbing and electricity to add a basic bathroom and kitchen. Subsequent renovations by others in the 1940s and 1980s incorporated a den, study, master bath, and additional living spaces within the attic which created the second story of the home accessed by a staircase in the foyer. In 2020, the Lemoine family purchased the home and began an extensive 3-year renovation to modernize the kitchen and bring back some of the character and turn of the century charm that had been renovated out of the home over the decades.
The Keegan House is one of a small group of styled, early twentieth century
structures in Natchitoches and is one of a handful which can be identified clearly as an example of the Colonial Revival. Visitors to the Keegan House will enjoy details which set it apart from other Colonial Revival style structures in Natchitoches. These include an elaborate entrance highlighted by a large semi-circular fanlight with rectangular sidelights with delicate Federal segmental glazing bars above wooden panels, a large front facing gable which adds prominence to the facade and gives it a strong visual presence, tall six-over-six windows on the gallery, wide floorboards with accompanying wide baseboards, wide ceiling boards, and four panel interior doors.
During the holiday season, the Keegan House is decorated in a mix of traditional and family-heirloom décor that gives this stunning home a feeling of warm, Christmas joy. Visitors will be enveloped by the homespun holiday spirit the moment they climb onto the welcoming front porch.

The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. The entire tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Please plan accordingly.

You may begin your tour at any of the 3 properties featured. Tickets may also be purchased at the front door of every property. We do NOT sell out. *For large group rates (30+) please contact Christina Johnson at 318-228-7083.

Tours will NOT be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Be sure to pack an umbrella!

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. However, we keep accurate records of all ticket holders at each property should your emailed receipt be lost.

We invite you to experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event. Proceeds from the tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.

*Saturday tickets include a complimentary ticket to The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum located at 800 Front Street.

You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below:

The Sweet Cane Inn (926 Washington Street):

The Sweet Cane Inn was built for Congressman Phanor Breazeale in the late 1800’s. Among its many unique features, Sweet Cane Inn’s stately presence boasts of 12-foot ceilings, 11 fireplaces, and wall of stained glassed windows at the top of the stairs which curve and lead to seven beautifully spacious rooms and suites. This Victorian era home has been exquisitely restored and features the amenities you would expect of a top-notch B&B. For more information or to reserve a room at The Sweet Cane inn, visit www.sweetcaneinn.com.

Judge Porter House (321 2nd Street):

Built in 1912 by "Judge" Thomas Fitzgerald Porter and his wife Wilhelmina, the home was located on property that once stretched from Second Street to Bayou Amulet. The Blunt Lodge Hall, an existing building already located on the property, was carefully dismantled piece by piece so that materials could be used for the construction of the house which took only 3 months to build at a total cost of $1,500. The original contract for building the home can be seen as you go up the stairs to the second floor of the home. Judge Porter died in 1928 leaving the house to his wife, Wilhelmina, who died in 1935. She passed the house on to her daughter Louisa Elizabeth "Betty" Porter, who lived here until her death in 1962. Judge Porter, Wilhelmina and Betty Porter are all buried in the American Cemetery. Betty's two brothers and a sister sold the house the following year to the Charles E. Kirsh family. It remained in that family for two generations before it was purchased in 1987 by the Rachal’s. In 1987, Mark and Sharon Rachal began a monumental restoration project on the house and in 1994 the current owner totally redecorated the interior and landscaped the grounds. In 1995 the house was opened to the public for the first time on the Natchitoches Historic Foundation's annual Fall Pilgrimage. In June of 1996 the house was opened as the "Judge" Porter House Bed and Breakfast. The Bed and Breakfast features four bedrooms with two parlors and a Guest House. The architectural style of the house is eclectic, using styles common for the Turn of the Century. The two-story gallery which wraps around two sides of the house suggest a Queen Anne influence, while the colossal columns resting on brick pillars suggest Colonial Revival. Located in the heart of the National Historic District, the house is embraced with lofty live oak trees planted by the original owner, Judge Porter. Just over 3,000 square feet, there are 33 windows in this house with 15 over 8 feet in height. These windows were commonly used as passageways onto the gallery. The ceilings are 11.5 feet and there are five fireplaces. The floors, which are all original to the house, are heart pine. The Judge Porter House operates as a bed & breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.judgeporterhouse.com

Queen Anne (125 Pine Street):

As their last home, Major Charles Joseph and Annie Strechan Greene, built their Victorian home in 1905. The house has had many changes over the years. Major Charles Greene Sr. was born in 1847 and served in the civil war as a messenger. Annie Strechan, who was born in 1866, met Charles Greene Sr. in Colorado Springs and in 1881 when Charles was 34 years old, he married Annie, who was 15 years old. They had six children, Helen, Jessie, Charles Jr, Rob, Alexander and Annie, who were born in 1900. They moved to Natchitoches in 1899 when Charles was hired as a receiver for the state land office. Major Greene lived in Natchitoches until his death on April 11, 1933, at 86 years old. The widowed Mrs. Annie Greene lived out her remaining years in the house until she died on July 24, 1958. She was 92 years old. Both Major Charles Greene and his wife along with their children are buried in the American Cemetery. Their 2nd oldest daughter, Miss Jessie Greene was a Natchitoches schoolteacher and lived here until her death in 1965. The house saw some bleak years as ownership changed hands several times including becoming home to a fraternity house. From 1947-1980 several fraternities occupied the house including the Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha and Sigman Tau Gamma. They finished the third story of the property which rises two and ½ stories above the 2nd floor. The third story had 3 bedrooms. The original shaker shingles are still visible on the third floor. Today the third floor is used as storage. At some point the second story gallery was removed during the time the Fraternity owned the home. This 2nd story gallery was added back to the home around 2006 by the Howells. In 2008 the property was purchased by the current owner from the Howells who opened the house As the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast in early 2000. The house has 4 bedrooms on the second floor, all with private baths. The fifth guest room is in the library of the home and is located on the first floor. The home was furnished in the Queen Anne style while the bathrooms were modernized. The Queen Anne House operates as a bed & breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.queenannebandb.com

Join the Natchitoches Historic Foundation for a uniquely curated Christmas tour of “Steel Magnolias” porches. The tour will begin at The Historic Cunningham Law Office (550 Second Street) and end at the Prud’homme-Roquier House (446 Rue Jefferson). The entire tour is approximately one and one-half miles.

Due to safety concerns the tour is divided into three groups limited to 40 persons. Each Thursday night the first group (RED Group or 5pm ticketholders) checks in at 5:00pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 5:30pm. The 2nd group (GOLD Group or 5:15pm ticket holders) checks in at 5:15pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 5:45pm. The 3rd group (GREEN Group or 5:30 ticket holders) checks in at 5:30pm and begins their walk PROMPTLY at 6:00pm.

Ticket holders join us at the historic Cunningham Law Office (550 Second Street) for light refreshments and then will embark on a GUIDED walking tour through our National Landmark District stopping at properties and sites featured in the movie, Steel Magnolias. The tour will make various stops at select properties where ticket holders will enjoy movie trivia, Christmas decorations, and history, along the way.

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. We keep accurate records of all ticket holders should your emailed receipt be lost.

PLEASE NOTE: The tour will take approximately 2 hours. The entire tour is approximately one mile. WEAR YOUR WALKING SHOES! This particular tour does NOT accommodate driving from location to location. If you are unable to walk long distances, please join us for one of our Friday or Saturday tours. We apologize for any inconvenience.

*Because the Steel Magnolias Porches Tour is mostly outdoors, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. If the tour is cancelled, we will honor all Steel Magnolias Porches Tour tickets at either our Friday or Saturday tours. No action will be required on your part. We keep accurate records of all tickets and ticket holders at each property. Friday and Saturday Tours are mostly indoors, so we never cancel them. In the event of rain or bad weather on Friday or Saturday, pack an umbrella and plan to enjoy something special indoors. Refunds will be available upon request.

The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. The entire tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Please plan accordingly.

You may begin your tour at any of the 3 properties featured. Tickets may also be purchased at the front door of every property. We do NOT sell out. *For large group rates (30+) please contact Christina Johnson at 318-228-7083.

Tours will NOT be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Be sure to pack an umbrella!

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. We keep accurate records of all ticket holders at each property should your emailed receipt be lost.

We invite you to experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event. Proceeds from the tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.

You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below:

Prud’homme-Rouquier House (446 rue Jefferson):

Francois Rouquier built this extraordinary home in 1790. His home was considered a showplace of its time, containing more elaborate architectural details than other structures in the area. It is the largest bousillage structure in North America. The Service League of Natchitoches curates a unique presentation of local history, art, and Christmas traditions to inspire visitors to come back year after year. The Prud’homme-Rouquier House is available to rent. For more information visit www.service-league.net

The Jefferson House (229 rue Jefferson):

Christmas Around the World – The Jefferson House Bed and Breakfast is a Colonial-style home circa 1967 built by Jules Barre, features century old hand-hewn cypress beams, eloquently furnished with Far Eastern antiques along with Santa’s and décor from around the globe. Its beautiful terrace and tranquil courtyard accented with Lombok pottery overlooks the Cane River. The Jefferson House operates as a bed and breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.jeffersonhousebedandbreakfast.com

Chaplin House (434 2nd Street):

The Chaplin House, one of Natchitoches’ most iconic historic homes, was famously featured as "Aunt Fern’s" home in the beloved film Steel Magnolias. Fans will recognize it from the emotional scene when Sally Field’s character, M’Lynn, picks up her grandson after Shelby’s passing. Jackson runs down the front walk and leaps into her arms. This beautifully preserved property offers visitors a rare glimpse inside a home that holds both cinematic and local significance. During the Christmas Tour of Homes, guests can explore its elegant interior and learn about the remarkable family who built it. Don’t miss the chance to experience the charm and history of this treasured Natchitoches landmark.

The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. The entire tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Please plan accordingly.

You may begin your tour at any of the 3 properties featured. Tickets may also be purchased at the front door of every property. We do NOT sell out. *For large group rates (30+) please contact Christina Johnson at 318-228-7083.

Tours will NOT be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Be sure to pack an umbrella!

Tickets are $30/person. Children under 12 are free. Your emailed confirmation/receipt is your ticket. You can display these tickets on your phone when you arrive. However, we keep accurate records of all ticket holders at each property should your emailed receipt be lost.

We invite you to experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event. Proceeds from the tour benefit restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area.

*Saturday tickets include a complimentary ticket to The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum located at 800 Front Street.

You may begin at any of the 3 properties listed below:

The Sweet Cane Inn (926 Washington St.):

The Sweet Cane Inn was built for Congressman Phanor Breazeale in the late 1800’s. Among its many unique features, Sweet Cane Inn’s stately presence boasts of 12-foot ceilings, 11 fireplaces, and wall of stained glassed windows at the top of the stairs which curve and lead to seven beautifully spacious rooms and suites. This Victorian era home has been exquisitely restored and features the amenities you would expect of a top-notch B&B. For more information or to reserve a room at The Sweet Cane inn, visit www.sweetcaneinn.com.

Judge Porter House (321 2nd Street):

Built in 1912 by "Judge" Thomas Fitzgerald Porter and his wife Wilhelmina, the home was located on property that once stretched from Second Street to Bayou Amulet. The Blunt Lodge Hall, an existing building already located on the property, was carefully dismantled piece by piece so that materials could be used for the construction of the house which took only 3 months to build at a total cost of $1,500. The original contract for building the home can be seen as you go up the stairs to the second floor of the home. Judge Porter died in 1928 leaving the house to his wife, Wilhelmina, who died in 1935. She passed the house on to her daughter Louisa Elizabeth "Betty" Porter, who lived here until her death in 1962. Judge Porter, Wilhelmina and Betty Porter are all buried in the American Cemetery. Betty's two brothers and a sister sold the house the following year to the Charles E. Kirsh family. It remained in that family for two generations before it was purchased in 1987 by the Rachal’s. In 1987, Mark and Sharon Rachal began a monumental restoration project on the house and in 1994 the current owner totally redecorated the interior and landscaped the grounds. In 1995 the house was opened to the public for the first time on the Natchitoches Historic Foundation's annual Fall Pilgrimage. In June of 1996 the house was opened as the "Judge" Porter House Bed and Breakfast. The Bed and Breakfast features four bedrooms with two parlors and a Guest House. The architectural style of the house is eclectic, using styles common for the Turn of the Century. The two-story gallery which wraps around two sides of the house suggest a Queen Anne influence, while the colossal columns resting on brick pillars suggest Colonial Revival. Located in the heart of the National Historic District, the house is embraced with lofty live oak trees planted by the original owner, Judge Porter. Just over 3,000 square feet, there are 33 windows in this house with 15 over 8 feet in height. These windows were commonly used as passageways onto the gallery. The ceilings are 11.5 feet and there are five fireplaces. The floors, which are all original to the house, are heart pine. The Judge Porter House operates as a bed & breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.judgeporterhouse.com

Queen Anne (125 Pine Street):

As their last home, Major Charles Joseph and Annie Strechan Greene, built their Victorian home in 1905. The house has had many changes over the years. Major Charles Greene Sr. was born in 1847 and served in the civil war as a messenger. Annie Strechan, who was born in 1866, met Charles Greene Sr. in Colorado Springs and in 1881 when Charles was 34 years old, he married Annie, who was 15 years old. They had six children, Helen, Jessie, Charles Jr, Rob, Alexander and Annie, who were born in 1900. They moved to Natchitoches in 1899 when Charles was hired as a receiver for the state land office. Major Greene lived in Natchitoches until his death on April 11, 1933, at 86 years old. The widowed Mrs. Annie Greene lived out her remaining years in the house until she died on July 24, 1958. She was 92 years old. Both Major Charles Greene and his wife along with their children are buried in the American Cemetery. Their 2nd oldest daughter, Miss Jessie Greene was a Natchitoches schoolteacher and lived here until her death in 1965. The house saw some bleak years as ownership changed hands several times including becoming home to a fraternity house. From 1947-1980 several fraternities occupied the house including the Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha and Sigman Tau Gamma. They finished the third story of the property which rises two and ½ stories above the 2nd floor. The third story had 3 bedrooms. The original shaker shingles are still visible on the third floor. Today the third floor is used as storage. At some point the second story gallery was removed during the time the Fraternity owned the home. This 2nd story gallery was added back to the home around 2006 by the Howells. In 2008 the property was purchased by the current owner from the Howells who opened the house As the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast in early 2000. The house has 4 bedrooms on the second floor, all with private baths. The fifth guest room is in the library of the home and is located on the first floor. The home was furnished in the Queen Anne style while the bathrooms were modernized. The Queen Anne operates as a bed & breakfast and is available for rent. For more information visit www.queenannebandb.com