The Cane River National Heritage Area Commission awards approximately $140,000 in funding to thirteen projects. Grants were awarded to individuals, businesses, non-profit agencies and local government agencies in the areas of Preservation & Restoration, Research, and Development and includes:   Preservation & Restoration Carol Wells:   Restoration of the Tauzin-Wells House Natchitoches Historic Foundation:  Restoration of the Hankins House The American Cemetery Association:  A continuation of interior lighting at the cemetery.   Research Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association:  A continuation of the translation of 18th century French courthouse records. Fiona Handley:  Cane River historic documents project. Dr. Samuel Armistead:  Digital Library of Adaeseño Spanish Language Recordings. Dr. Thomas Klingler: Documenting vestigial French in the Cane River valley.   Development Friends of the Old Courthouse Museum:  Children Programming. Caddo Adais Indians Inc.:  The Museum Project. Natchitoches Transit Company:  Cane River Heritage Tours. Creole Heritage Center:  “Did Your Grandparents Ever Tell You?” St. Matthew School Community Association:  Feasibility Study. Adaesanos Foundation:  Adaesanos, our culture, heritage, and tradition.   Funded proposals focus on projects that preserve and promote the Cane River National Heritage Area (CRNHA) region by contributing to the preservation and restoration of historic structures, sites, and landscapes, the discovery and documentation of history and culture, and the enhancement of heritage tourism.    The CRNHA is a place where American Indians, French, Spanish, African and later American cultures came together to create a way of life dependent on the land and the river and each other.  Today colonial forts, Creole plantations, churches, cemeteries, historic transportation routes and commercial centers provide a special view into this past.   The CRNHA was designated by Congress in 1994 and is located primarily in Natchitoches Parish.  It includes six National Historic Landmark sites, a 33-block National Historic Landmark District, three State Historic Sites at former military forts in the area, Cane River Creole National Historical Park (two sites), and many other historic plantations, homes and churches.  The central corridor of the Cane River National Heritage Area begins just below the City of Natchitoches and meanders south along both sides of Cane River Lake for 35 miles.  While much of the, roughly 116,000 acre heritage area is privately owned, many sites are open to the public.    For more information on the CRNHA’s grants program contact Katherine Johnson, Program Manager, at (318) 356-5555.