Bayou Gardens OPEN HOUSE

The Lacombe Choctaw tribe have a rich history and still live in the area.

Holy Redeemer Seminary1961-1970

Richard P. Leche’s Bayou GardensHorticultural Attraction

1946-1956

Way of the Cross Altar at the cemetery(destroyed by Hurricane Katrina)

Saturday, Feb. 29, 20209 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Story Behind the Scenery

Early days Native American tribes have lived in this area for thousands of years. Their descendants still live in the vicinity. European influence began in the 1600’s. This area was incorporated into the territory of the United States in 1812.

1930’s Wayne Borah, a federal judge, built the pond, a swimming pool (now gone) and an elegant home overlooking the bayou. Borah began landscaping with trees, boxwood hedges, and camellias.

1940’s Former Louisiana Governor Richard W. Leche bought the estate. Leche expanded the gardens and opened a horticultural attraction and commercial nursery called Bayou Gardens. This 110 acre site had 400 varieties of camellias, many types of azaleas, and a museum.

1960’s – 1995 Catholic Redemptorists acquired the land and built a seminary which opened in 1960. Priests and brothers who had been laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in New Orleans were moved to a small cemetery on the property. The Borah/Leche residence was used to house priests. Seminary enrollment declined in the late 1960s, and the brothers began to admit day students. The school closed in 1980, but priests and brothers lived here and used the site for retreats until 1995.

1997 – today The private Borah/Leche/Priest’s residence near the bayou, and the former seminary classrooms and dormitory now host the administrative offices of the Southeast Lousiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex. The chapel was renovated into the refuge’s Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center. The seminary’s cafeteria is now the Conservation Room — used to host special events and meetings. Atchafalaya, Bayou Sauvage, Bayou Teche, Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto, Breton, Cat Island, Delta, and Mandalay National Wildlife Refuges are managed as part of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex.

Grotto Trail: Begins at kiosk in front of Visitor Center.Camellia Trail: Begins at kiosk at the Borah/Leche/Priest House (private).Bog Trail: Begins at Visitor Center.

Tours: Meet at the Visitor Center

9:30, and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Story Behind the Scenery Walking Tours. Stroll of the gardens and grounds to explore the site’s history and learn a bit about camellias. 45 minutes.

9:30 a.m. Walk on the Wild Side Bring your senses to learn about wildlife and their habitats. A nature walk geared for families with young children. 45-minutes.

12 p.m. Nature’s Clock WalkExplore the inter-related cycles of nature and how climate variations can affect wildlife habitat and nature’s calendar. 45 minutes.

Talks and Workshops

10:30 a.m. “Gardening with Native Plants to Attract Birds” with Tammany Baumgarten. Explore native plants and landscaping techniques that provide food and shelter for birds. Talk is 45 minutes with time for questions. In Conservation Room.

11:30 a.m. “The Language of Camellias in Romance, Art, and History” with Hunter Charbonnet. An exploration of camellias in romance and culture by the President of the Northshore Camellia Club. 45 minutes. with time for questions. In Roosevelt Room.

1 p.m. “How to Be Bee and Pollinator Friendly in Your Garden and Yard” with beekeeper and Master Gardener Jim Bates. Learn about pollinators and how you can help them. 45-minutes with time for questions. In Conservation Room.

Activities and Exhibits

Camellia Displays: Try to pick a favorite bloom at a display of hundreds of varieties of camellia blossoms. Bring your camellia questions to experts from the American Camellia Society and the Northshore Camellia Club. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.In Roosevelt Room.

Camellia Sale: Proceeds benefit the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. At Visitor Center.

The Bug Lady: View a butterfly and native plant display with author of “BugLady’s Butterfly Summer,” Linda Auld.

Flower Arts: Make a waxed camellia keepsake. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center.

Family-friendly Nature Arts and Crafts: Flower and pollinator themed crafts. At Visitor Center.

Composting and Vermicomposting Table Talk/Display: Bring your questions about plants, gardening, composting, and vermicomposting with redworms to the LSU AgCenter and Master Gardeners.

Gulf Coast Phenology Trail: Learn more about “nature’s calendar” and how citizen scientists are monitoring the timing of plant and animal activities.

Handy Andy Apiaries: Say hello to the honey bees, learn about pollen, and do a “honey tasting.”

Former Redemptorist Chapel is now U.S.F.W.S. Visitor Center

Borah/Leche/Priest’s House (Now Private

Office - No Entry)

Visitor Center Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Trails and Grounds Open: Monday - Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.