Gathright House Kickoff

Paul Smith, right in the top photo, a regional representative with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser's office, presents Bryce Merrill and Julana Senette with a proclamation from Nungesser to "honor and recognize the Gathright House on the occasion of its grand re-opening." Officials and volunteers kicked off a drive to restore the Gathright House, believed to be the second-oldest building in Morgan City and dating back to at least 1855, on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium. Brian M. Davis of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation talked about the help that is available for such work, including tax credits. Among those who attended the event were Don Smith of Arcadia and Candace Bender of Gonzales, descendants of Zebulon Gathright. One of Morgan City's founding fathers, Gathright (1813-1877) owned the house when it was on First Street. Now it sits near the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce building near the auditorium. The Gathright House was placed on a state list of endangered historic buildings in 2024.

The Review/Bill Decker