2026 Field Trips
Click the button below to register for upcoming field trips.
The Day the War Stopped
June 13, 2026 (Saturday)
Grace Episcopal Church
11621 Ferdinand Street
St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775
June’s Field Trip is to a favorite destination, St. Francisville, to experience
an annual reenactment of one of the most unique events of the entire
American Civil War. In June of 1863 the siege of Port Hudson was a
bloody conflict pitting 30,000 Union troops against 6,800 Confederate
troops fighting for the control of navigation along the Mississippi River.
The USS Albatross was a Union schooner fitted with guns and it was
patrolling Bayou Sara near St. Francisville when Lt. Commander Hart
contracted Yellow Fever. In the throes of a delusional fever, Lt.
Commander Hart took his own live aboard the USS Albatross leaving the
crew with the dilemma of providing a proper Masonic burial as desired
by the decedent. The second in command, Theodore B. DuBois, went
ashore and met with Confederate Captain William W. Leake who was
also the Senior Warden of the Feliciana Lodge to discuss arrangements
for a Masonic funeral for the fallen officer. In an act of true brotherly
love, the war was put on hold so that Lt. Commander Hart could receive
a Masonic burial.
The afternoon is open for members to stay in St. Francisville and take in
some of the gardens or the street activity in town. I have spoken with
Mr. Ivy Jones and he informs me the flower and landscape photography
in the Afton Villa Gardens is permitted at the usual entrance fee of $12
for adults and $10 for seniors/veterans. There are fees to take group
photos such as wedding parties.
Sign up using the link above for meetup times and locations.
If you are ready for action photography you are in luck!
We are headed to Kentwood to photograph motocross (MX) action on Saturday May 2 nd . The
Wildwood MX Park opens its gates at 6:00 AM and riders usually start around 8:00 AM. Photographic equipment should include a telephoto zoom lens in the range of 70-200 mm
and/or 150 to 600 mm (200-500 mm) to zoom into the action. However, a wide angle-zoom and
a walk-around zoom (24-70 mm) will provide the versatility to get great documentation on and
off the track. Don’t forget the circular polarizing filter and a monopod for use with longer
telephoto zoom lenses. Be sure to bring rain protection for your camera and camera bag.
Also plan to bring sun protection for yourself such as sunscreen, a large brim hat and fishing-
type shirt. Depending on the forecast, a rain jacket may be needed.
Please register on Visual Pursuits for the field trip. Also plan to enter about 5 images on the
Field Trip Gallery as well as attending the Show and Tell on Sunday July 19 th at Jones Creek
Library from 2:30-4:30 PM.
CLICK HERE to register for Field Trips!
Field trip dates may be subject to change depending on several factors, including – but not limited to – weather, illness, site closure, etc. The field trip coordinator will keep registrants apprised of any changes that occur. Please refer to the Newsletter, Calendar, and this page for reference.