By Wesley Harris
A cornerstone of local history is now facing a structural challenge that could impact both its safety and future preservation. The Lincoln Parish Museum and Historical Society is working to raise $50,000 for critical floor repairs inside its historic home, a structure that has stood in Ruston since 1886.
Museum Director Rick Godley said a portion of the building’s main gathering room has already been cordoned off after significant buckling made the floor unsafe for visitors.
“This is not something we can put off,” Godley said. “We’ve had to restrict access to protect the public, and ultimately the structure itself.”
The museum building, originally constructed during Ruston’s earliest years, reflects a period when the town was transitioning from a small railroad stop into a developing parish seat. Like many late-19th-century homes in North Louisiana, it features large rooms, high ceilings, and craftsmanship that has allowed it to endure for well over a century.
Over time, the house has served multiple roles before becoming home to the museum—functioning as a private residence for prominent local families before its preservation as a historical site. Its longevity, however, has come at a cost: continuous maintenance is required to preserve both its structure and historical integrity.
The museum began with heartfelt grassroots efforts born from a desire within the community to safeguard its vanishing past. Folks would lament how family heirlooms and crucial documents, the very fabric of local memory, were either being lost to time or leaving the parish altogether. There was a palpable fear that the unique stories of Lincoln Parish might just fade away if someone didn’t step up and act decisively.
So, the museum was created in what is known as the Kidd-Davis House in 1975. The need to keep the structure in good shape has continued ever since.
Recent work uncovered a surprising—and troubling—history beneath the museum’s floorboards.
“The workers found four kinds of wood in five different layers,” Godley said. “Apparently, every time the floor would buckle or sink over the past 140 years, another floor was laid on top hoping that would solve the problem.”
With those layers now removed, the underlying issue has become clear: uneven and compromised floor joists. Previous attempts to stabilize the structure—such as jacking up sections of the floor and adding supports—have only exacerbated the problem over time.
What was once a cosmetic issue has now evolved into a structural concern requiring a comprehensive fix.
The current flooring project is not the museum’s first major expense. Just a few years ago, the roof was replaced and the building repainted. Then the front porch underwent a full reconstruction, costing more than $100,000. That project was necessary to maintain both safety and the home’s historic appearance.
Godley noted that while the museum has remained financially stable in recent years, largely due to community support, the latest repair presents a significant financial strain.
“We’ve done well financially in recent years due to the generosity of the community and our visitors,” he said. “But this will be a big hit on our funds, so we are asking for help with this project.”
As one of the parish’s primary stewards of local history, the museum depends completely on public support to maintain its operations and facilities. The current fundraising effort underscores a broader challenge faced by historic properties: balancing preservation with the realities of aging infrastructure, especially ones not affiliated with a government entity.
Without timely repairs, not only is visitor access limited, but the long-term stability of the structure could be at risk.
For now, museum officials are hopeful that the same community that has supported past restoration efforts will step forward again to help preserve one of Ruston’s oldest surviving homes.
“This house has been here since the beginning of Ruston,” Godley said. “We want to make sure it’s still here for generations to come.”
To learn how to donate, contact Rick Godley at 318-243-3681 or lincolnparishmuseum1886@gmail.com.
