• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Heart of Louisiana Logo

The Heart of Louisiana

  • Staycations
  • Regions
    • New Orleans Region
    • Capital Region
    • Acadiana
    • Southwest Louisiana
    • Central Louisiana
    • Northshore
    • North Louisiana
    • Bayou Region
  • 60 Second Road Trips
  • TV Stories
  • Buy Photos
  • Recent Posts
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Capital Area/Handwritten Letters
woman's hands adding wax and seal to a folded letter

Handwritten Letters

Handwritten letters, the ones crafted with a pen and bottle of ink, may be a dying art. However, for those who appreciate history and a more personal way of communication, there is charm in a personal letter written on paper.

Michaela Brown shows how to write the alphabet in cursive style,

Michaela Brown, a historian and ranger at the Oakley House in St. Francisville, is leading the charge to preserve this dying art. She explains that letters from the past provide us with a unique glimpse at history. Brown says, “In the process of transcribing these old letters from the 1840s and 1850s from our archives, you truly feel you get to know that person”.

young woman in gold dress sitting at table writing letter
Interpretive ranger Michaela Brown demonstrates letter writing.
several people sitting at table practice writing and folding letters
Visitors to the Audubon State Historic Site at the Oakley House get a lesson in letterwriting.

During Brown’s workshops, visitors get an introduction to pen and ink, practice writing cursive, and then take the time to craft a thoughtful letter. The experience is not only educational but also a lot of fun. Toni Nershi, one of Brown’s pupils, commented, “We had the most fun ever, and I wrote a letter to my daughter and some famous old sayings that I love.”

art of handwritten letters featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana feature at the Oakley House

wax seal a final step

hand holding small brass cup over candle flame to melt wax
Melting wax over a candle to seal a letter.

The final step of creating a handwritten letter is sealing it with hot wax. Brown demonstrates the proper way to fold the paper, making it possible to mail without an envelope. Whoever receives a handwritten letter is sure to be touched by the time and thought that went into crafting it. As Brown suggests, “It’s a fun way to rekindle a little interest in what may become the lost art of handwriting a letter.”

3 story white plantation home with green shutters on porch surrounded by moss draped oak trees
The Oakley House near St. Francisville, LA

Audubon history at oakley house

The Oakley House, part of Louisiana’s Audubon State Historic Site, is located in the heavily wooded rolling hills near St. Francisville. Naturalist and artist John James Audubon lived at Oakely for a few months in 1821 while tutoring the owners’ daughter. Audubon painted 32 of his remarkable drawings of the Birds of America while at Oakley House.

antique wooden standing desk with paper, book, quill pen and ink.
A writing desk in Audubon’s room at the Oakley House
Audubon bird print of yellow billed cuckoo
Audubon’s painting of yellow billed cuckoo created at Oakley House

Visit St. Francisville

large tree trunk surrounded by sunlit leaves in forest along nature trail

Mary Ann Brown Nature Trail

    Red Japanese torri gate in garden in St. Francisville Louisiana

    Japanese-American Garden

      Mountain biker crosses wooden bridge biking the beast trail at St. Francisville Louisiana

      Biking the Beast

        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        March 28, 2023
        Thoughts:
        2 Comments

        Categories: Capital Area, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Linda Giutta

          June 13, 2023 at 4:47 pm

          I enjoyed watching, listening and reading everything on this post. Michaela Brown certainly makes cursive writing beautiful! I would think a lesson, and history, in letter writing at Oakley House would certainly make your tour complete.

          Reply
        2. Denise

          June 15, 2023 at 7:16 am

          Awesome

          Reply

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Heart of Louisiana logo

        Footer

        Copyright © 2025 Heart of Louisiana ยท Web Design

        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • About Dave McNamara
        • Contact
        • Advertising Opportunities
        • Archives
        • Privacy Policy
        • Site Map
        We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy policyOk