Historic Louisiana

“The purpose of Kalorama is to conserve
and preserve our natural heritage and to
provide a protected area for all who come to
enjoy, study, and learn.” This is the mission
statement of Kalorama.
Kalorama’s unique geographical features
and a long history of benevolent landowners
dedicated to preserving its special qualities
have helped create an outstanding example for
gardeners who wish to garden lightly upon the
land in this new millennium. Mr. and Mrs.
William B. Reily bought the thirty-eight acres
on the Bastrop Ridge above Collinston in 1927.
They had searched extensively across the south
for a location to build a country summer home
as a retreat from their New Orleans home.
William Reily wrote enthusiastically in his
journal at that time of the beauty of the
property, the large trees, and wide variety of
plants and songbirds.
In the early 1950s, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan
Bolton purchased the property as a permanent
home. Nathan Bolton was an enthusiastic
gardener and plant collector. He worked with
daylilies extensively, creating new varieties
and using them in the landscape, and
lecturing on his work, as well. He also had a
keen interest in bulbs of all sorts, hollies, and
camellias. Visitors enjoy the fruits of his
labors as each season passes.
In 1992 the William B. Reily Foundation
purchased the property from Mr. and Mrs. A.
Earl Ingram, Sr., to create a nature preserve
in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Reily. The
property is now owned and managed by the
Kalorama Foundation, and is now available
for public viewing.
Visitors to Kalorama enjoy the wildlife and
the landscape as it changes throughout the
seasons. Many of the plant species and
varieties that were common in landscapes of
previous generations are present. There are
old species-type narcissus blooming in early
spring, and the show of flowers in their
various habitats continues until the season
ends with a glorious explosion of color in late
fall. The abundance of birds and butterflies
that are present only enhances the experience.
Touring Kalorama offers a glimpse into the
past. A walk through the peaceful ancient forest
reminds us how important our actions are in
our allotted time. The abundance of insect,
bird, and animal life offers strong evidence of
the importance of preserving habitat, and
gardening with, not against, nature.
Located at 7197 Collinston Road–Louisiana
Highway 593 in Collinston, Louisiana between
Bastrop and Collinston: Kalorama is open to the
public for tours on spring weekends between
February 15 and May 15 and fall weekends
between October 1 and November 15. It is open
on any date of the year by appointment for tours
or other nature study. All tours are guided and
vary in length. To learn more about Kalorama,
please contact Beth Erwin, curator, at 318-874-
7777 or email to kalorama@kalorama.org.
Hours are 9 to 5 Saturdays, 1:30 to 5 Sundays,
weather permitting. Admission is $5 per
person. Friends Group members are admitted at
no charge.
KALORAMA
NATURE
PRESERVE
✧
The flora and fauna of Kalorama Nature
Preserve (clockwise from top, left): a Yellowbreasted
Chat, Prairie Coneflower, Indian
Pink, and a Zebra Swallowtail.
SHARING THE HERITAGE
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