Ken Burns' production team seeks people share stories of J.B. Lafargue, Peabody High

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·2 min read
This photo of J.B. Lafargue appeared in a Feb. 23, 1997 Black History Month article.
This photo of J.B. Lafargue appeared in a Feb. 23, 1997 Black History Month article.
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A team from Ken Burns’ production company, Florentine Films, will be in town next week to feature one of Alexandria’s historical figures, J.B. Lafargue, founder of Peabody High School and an advocate for the Black community.

“We’re also looking to do more research while we’re down there connecting with folks who might have ties to J.B. Lafargue or to Peabody High School or even just to the area,” said Clark Burnett, one of the producers for the film.

The film is about the period from Emancipation, Reconstruction and up the Great Migration, Burnett said. The film is set to air on PBS in 2027. The production company is interested in hearing family stories that people may have from that time frame.

In addition to filming people’s stories, the production company also will film Lafargue’s gravesite and part of the homecoming celebrations at Peabody next week.

“That will be a full circle moment that will take place in the film,” Burnett said.

Burnett said they found out Lafargue was the son of an enslaved woman and a Confederate soldier named Arnold D. Lafargue.

According to a Feb. 23, 1997, article in The Town Talk about Lafargue, he was born in Avoyelles Parish in 1864 and educated there, according to a pamphlet “A Summary of the Colored Public School Teachers of Rapides Parish” from the 1913-14 school year.

The article goes on to say he and his wife Sarah moved to Alexandria sometime in the 1880s. He organized the Negro Civic League in Alexandria, from which came Peabody High School “and the end to the half day session in Negro public schools of Alexandria and the vicinity.” He also founded the Colored State Teachers’ Association.

The article also said that Lafargue said he “got the first” $100,000 school building for a Black public school in the state.”

He also founded two newspapers, the article said.

Those interested in sharing stories can email exodus@florentinefilms.com.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Ken Burns production team seeks stories of J.B. Lafargue, Peabody High