Back in time

OPELOUSAS - When you walk through the ornate wrought iron gate outside the front of the Michel Prudhomme House, located on Prudhomme Circle in Opelousas, you are instantly transported to another time. A time where the way of life is something we today can never fully understand. The two story home, believed to be one of the oldest structures in St. Landry Parish still remaining in its original location, is placed to the back of the property and from the street is half hidden behind one of the country’s largest Camellia trees. We today are forced to look to historic structures like the Prudhomme House and old documents that have survived through centuries to help us better understand of our country’s, state’s, and family’s history. The Prudhomme House is guarded by a rod iron fence that acts as a barrier shielding the home from the modern world that surrounds it. The oldest records found mentioning the home date back to 1804, making this French Colonial style structure one that has been privy to major events that have taken place domestically in United States history such as the American Civil War. According to the Preservationist of St. Landry’s President James Douget, during the Civil War the home was “occupied by Union General Cuvier Grover and his men.” Some of the homes architectural details lead many to believe that the house may have actually been built as early as the 1792. The 19th century architectural design that the home possesses is said to have come from changes made to the house over the years. Builder of the home Michel Prudhomme made his way to the New World from France. Prudhomme was born in 1739 during a time where people were eager to discover the opportunities that the New World presented. Before making his way to the New World, Prudhomme worked as an apprentice to a blacksmith mastering the trade that would ultimately allow him to build a life for he and his family in Opelousas. According to the Douget, “Prudhomme made his way to the New World around the year 1769 but it wasn’t until 1778 that he moved to Opelousas.” Being a blacksmith allowed Prudhomme to “have free passage because that trade was needed in the outlying coastal areas,” Douget added Upon arriving in Opelousas, Prudhomme received a land grant from the Spanish government, who at the time had possession of the Louisiana territory. Being a blacksmith got Prudhomme to the area but once arriving here he took the land he had acquired and used it “to raise long horn cattle and grow indigo and cotton,” according Douget. It was through agriculture that Prudhomme was able to create wealth for he and his family. In the design of the home, Prudhomme’s French heritage is very noticeable. The house’s exterior is decorated with tall skinny double doors and windows that are often seen in French Colonial homes. The home’s interior is filled with furniture that dates back to a variety of decades. The furniture allows people to uncover facts that better explain physical features of our ancestors. Housed in one of the homes rooms is a mechanical reaper that was used for harvesting crops. The harvesting device came from the Evangeline Parish town of Chataignier. The reaper was in pieces but has now been reassembled and is on display at the home. Douget said, “You may notice the tables and chairs are short. The French people are known to have been short so the furniture they had fit their height.” Since the days of Prudhomme, the house has passed through the hands of multiple owners. In 1974 the Opelousas General Hospital, which surrounds the house, purchased the property with the intention of making it a parking lot. Luckily before the home was torn down, the Preservationist of St. Landry were able to obtain the property from the hospital in 1976 and began restoring the interior and exterior of the home. The Preservationist of St. Landry continue to work to preserving the property with funds that are acquired through grants, donations, events, tours, and memberships. Since the Preservationists of St. Landry have taken over the home, a modern kitchen has been added. Having the modern kitchen has now permitted the preservationist group to host events at the home. Douget stated “the most recent event that the home was rented out for was a bridal shower.” The public has the ability to utilize this historic home by renting it out for special events. Personal tours of the home are also offered by volunteer workers. All tours must be done by appointment. Scheduling a tour at the home can be done by contacting Douget at (337) 942-8011. The Preservationist of St. Landry will be having an open house on October 10 from 10-2. This event is open to the public and does not require an appointment to attend. The admission cost to attend the open house is five dollars. To continue sharing our local history we must first start by supporting it. “Sharing our history here,” according to Douget, “is important because so many people do not know the rich history we have right in our backyard.”