Historical Society
Celebrating the History of Black Women of Iberia Parish
Three days of keynotes, performance, art, and public history that honor their leadership, labor, creativity, faith, intellect, service, family life, and community-building.
More Than a Festival.
HistoryFEST is more than a festival.
HistoryFEST 2026 is a community celebration centered on the history of Black women of Iberia Parish and its surrounding countryside—their leadership, labor, creativity, faith, intellect, service, family life, and community-building across generations.
Through scholarship, storytelling, art, literature, music, faith, and community participation, HistoryFEST brings their stories into the center of how this parish understands itself.
HistoryFEST Is Making History, Too.
As we celebrate the history of Black women of Iberia Parish, we are also working with the community to preserve more of it.
Share Her Story
Help us build a growing historical collection by sharing the name, story, photograph, or materials of a Black woman connected to Iberia Parish.
Share Her Story →Elder Oral History Project
During HistoryFEST, elder Black women of Iberia Parish will be invited to record their own stories and reflections, preserving their voices and experiences for future generations.
More Information Soon →
Help Us Preserve Their Histories.
History lives in archives and history books—and in the memories, photographs, and stories that families and communities carry.
We are building a growing collection of the histories of Black women of Iberia Parish, and we invite you to help.
You do not need to be a historian. You do not need to know her whole story. Tell us what you know.
Share Her Story →
Whose story should be part of the history of Iberia Parish?
Some women are remembered in newspapers, archives, institutions, and history books. Others are remembered in families.
They live in photographs, stories told around kitchen tables, church communities, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the memories of people who knew them.
We want both.
She may have been a teacher, caregiver, laborer, business owner, church member, artist, organizer, neighbor, mother, aunt—or someone whose contribution does not fit neatly into any category at all.
You do not need to be a historian. You do not need to know her whole story. Tell us what you know.
Share Her Story →
Elder Oral History Project
During HistoryFEST, elder Black women of Iberia Parish will be invited to share their own stories and reflections through recorded oral history interviews.
These conversations will preserve their voices, memories, and experiences for future generations and help ensure that histories carried through families and communities become part of the historical record.
More Information Coming SoonAt-a-Glance Program
Each day links to the full schedule.
Friday, Nov. 13
Opening NightFaith, history, literature, performance, and music.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Main HistoryFEST DayKeynotes, scholarship, genealogy, community history, art, and participatory activities.
Sunday, Nov. 15
Community, Faith & ClosingCommunity, worship, art, reflection, music, and a closing meal.
Share Her Story
Help us preserve the history of Black women of Iberia Parish.
Every Story Matters.
Some women are remembered in newspapers, archives, institutions, and history books. Others are remembered in families—in photographs, stories told around kitchen tables, church communities, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the memories of people who knew them.
We want both.
You may submit information about a woman who is living or deceased. You do not need to know everything about her, and you do not need to consider her famous, prominent, or historically significant.
We are interested in everyday lives as well as extraordinary accomplishments.
Family photos, work photos, church photos, and other images.
A memory, a few details, or a longer account.
Letters, programs, clippings, certificates, or other materials.
Submission Form
Tell us about a Black woman of Iberia Parish.