THE MURPHY
TRADING HOUSE
WHO ARE WE?
Hi. We're Curt & Pam Felch. We bought this home in September 2020.
Pam is a native Louisianian. Curt's a Yankee, from Michigan, so don't hold that against him. He also doesn't talk about himself in the third person [except, apparently, on websites].
We had a lot of hobbies, but frankly, this one killed them all. Pam does knit a lot, which seemed like a good idea in Michigan, but has limited utility in Louisiana.
We fell in love with this old home, and will probably spend the rest of our lives restoring it, and figuring out how it got here.
THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM...
While we may have walked into this project blind, we do know how to assemble a dream team.
​Natchitoches, as the center of the Cane River National Heritage Area, has a number of historic structures and plantations nearby. The National Park Service now owns and maintains [2] of the largest plantations, Oakland Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation.
​With tourism shut down during Covid, work at these structures also shut down. When we bought the house, we thought it would take forever to find good construction crews. What we found was a treasure-trove of the finest craftsmen in the Country, with a respect and talent for historic preservation beyond our dreams. It's truly an honor to work with these fine men and women.
[Please forgive the ​Bo Schembechler reference.
I'm working on it.]
Masters of Restoration
Marcy Frantom
Max Turner
Quality Finish
Max & Marcy have dedicated their expertise to restoring our historic home, becoming an inseparable part of its story. Their hands-on experience and deep understanding of bousillage, the traditional building technique using mud and moss, sets them apart as true artisans.
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They've walked the path of restoration alongside us, unearthing the secrets of our home, adding new layers to our understanding of the past.
We're proud to call Marcy Frantom and Max Turner not just our restoration experts, but also our friends and partners in this journey. Their skill, dedication, and appreciation for the heritage of our home and town are nothing short of remarkable.
King of Construction
Greg Duggan
Modern Rustic Construction
In historic home restoration, one name stands tall: Greg Duggan. With a legacy spanning decades, Greg's role in preserving the charm of our cherished homes is nothing short of exceptional.
As our general contractor, Greg has poured his heart and expertise into our historic home and countless others. His hands-on involvement has left an indelible mark on our dwelling, making him an essential part of its story.
His understanding and respect for historic homes has made him indispensable.
We're honored to share our restoration journey with Greg.
Wizard of Wood
Matt Richardson
Richardson Woodworking
When there's nothing plumb, level, or square in your house, you need a real craftsman to build your cabinets and millwork. Matt just breathes craftsmanship. With an unmatched skill set, he has created functional works of art for our home.
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From our kitchen cabinets to our new fireplace surround, Matt's precision and attention to detail are evident in every piece he crafts. You have to see the details to believe it.
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We're honored to have worked with Matt Richardson, a true woodworking virtuoso.