By Paige Nash
Loads of new and exciting things happening for Jessica Stewart Gorman. Just this month she was named the new Executive Director of Dorcheat Museum and the official historian of Webster Parish.
Previous Webster Parish Historians included the most previous, John Agan, Mrs. Paul Campbell and Dr. Luther Longino. So, to say Gorman has some big shoes to fill would be an understatement, but previous Executive Director Shelley Francis believes she is up for the job.
In a letter written to the Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ), Francis explained Gorman’s extensive knowledge of the previous writings and research of the past historians in addition to her own conductive research.
The jury voted unanimously at their June regular meeting held on June 7 to have Gorman take over this role.
“I hope you all will support her,” said WPPJ President Jim Bonsall. “Jessica, I hope you know what you were wishing for.”
In addition to Gorman’s weekly column, “Historically Speaking,” published in the Webster Parish Journal, she is also certified in American Genealogical studies and is a regular speaker on this topic at the Webster Parish Library. She is trained on the proper ways to restore and preserve cemetery headstones and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she recently received their Community Service Award and holds the chapter chair for the Service to America Committee. Gorman also serves on the board of the North Louisiana Historical Association.
Even with her growing list of responsibilities, she is very appreciative and excited to serve as the new Webster Parish Historian. She said, ““Thank you for the privilege of serving as Parish Historian. I do very much feel that, in that role, I have a responsibility to the people in the communities of the parish and also to the historians that came before me.”
Gorman has been working on her first book that will be published sometime in the upcoming month and preparing for the museum’s annual auction that will be held on September 11 at 6 p.m.
