Melrose Plantation is located just outside of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Construction on the main house began in 1832. John Hampton Henry and Carmelite (Cammie) Garrett Henry, bought the property from their heirs in 1899. John Henry died suddenly in 1918. Cammie led the plantation into one of it’s most glorious periods. She was a committed preservationist and patron to the arts, especially literature. 
During a period known as the “Southern Renassaince,” Cammie hosted a variety of artists who were invited or allowed to stay in quarters behind the big house. She only had 2 conditions: a) they had to work on their craft and b) they had to join her for supper where each artist would report on their work of that day. Lest you think she was merely an observing patron, she was prolific in your own craft of making quilts and other sewing projects. She would frequently have all the guests at the table sign the white cloth tablecloth in pen, then she would embroider over each name to preserve it. Many of her intricate sewing projects remain, including a number of those embroidered tablecloths. Cammie would report on her projects along with all the other artists.
Those familiar with the Civil War and post-Civil War South will certainly know the name Clementine Hunter. Cammie employed her as the cook. Clementine’s family moved to Melrose from another plantation where they were sharecroppers. She was about 12 and worked in the fields of Melrose. Later she became a housekeeper, but her job as the cook that gave her the opportunity she’s most known for – painting. She discovered some discarded paints left behind by one of those artists hosted by Cammie. She had no formal education and didn’t know how to read or write. She taught herself to paint though and became prolific (today there are some 6000 pieces of her art in the world). 
In the early 1940’s an artist showed up who would chronicle life at Melrose. His name was Francois Mignon and he claimed to be from Paris, France. Turns out he was Frank Mineah from Courtland, New York. But let’s not let truthful details spoil a grand story, shall we. 
He arrived at Melrose for a 6-week stay taking full advantage of Cammie’s hospitality. He stayed 32 years! 
Daily he would journal about life at Melrose. Thousands of pages. The problem is he romanticized life at Melrose and historians have had a difficult time separating fact from the fiction of Francois’ mind. 
Cammie died in 1948, but Francois continued to live at Melrose until 1970. However, without Francois Melrose may not have been preserved or restored so he provided a valuable service outside of his exaggerated daily journals. 
Over at the Year Of The Peer podcast, Leo Bottary and I regularly review to our tagline, “who you surround yourself with matters.” Cammie began to illustrate that point back in 1918 after her husband’s death. 
What We Have In Common
Cammie hosted artists of all types as a patron. Her 2-rule imposition may have deterred some, but she was still able to surround herself – and the other artists – with people pursuing their craft. They were all creative. They were all working on their craft every day. Individually they spent time alone in their pursuit. 
These guests of Melrose, enjoying the hospitality and support of Cammie, likely got to know one another quite well. Creative people enjoy each other’s company. They’re interested in what the others are doing. The process of being creative is a tie that binds. 
What We Don’t Have In Common
Multiple writers would be hosted at the same time. But so would other artisans. It didn’t matter if the person was a painter,