Women's History Month: Past, Present, Future in Monroe-West Monroe
Ouachita Parish is full of stories, legacies, and rich history. From iconic eateries to long-standing community landmarks, Monroe-West Monroe paints a beautiful picture of historic preservation and continuing legacies. However, many do not know the stories of the women behind some of our most beloved community treasures.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ce6d8cd51d8a79ca817cb836120efbbf 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9539263e8e544db04bd2e80eb04d86cc 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=59a8c1f56b80b45290abc9d33f73251f 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6960238e9b39f08a1483340f21591193 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0e517ba3ac591de3fb0a609edbd01307 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=437a04dbab431206a625974946c42471 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ca1b294e489c5de3394ca3cacdce6e46 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Jonathan-Webster.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=60253a3b43611190360bbf315425fcb7 2546w)
Layton Castle is one of Monroe’s most treasured hidden gems. With over 100 years of history behind it, the landmark remains in its original family. Previously operated and developed by the late Carol Layton Parsons, Layton Castle has stood the test of time and continues to do so. In the years of Parson’s oversight, the castle has become a renovated Monroe treasure that is home to several tenants in the apartments on the first floor. She is also responsible for utilizing the family heirloom as a venue for weddings, parties, and regular tours that educate the community on the history of Monroe and the castle’s founding. Carol’s daughter, Pam Parsons Dupuy, is now leading the charge in keeping the landmark’s legacy alive. The women of Layton castle have been the most valuable piece of this historic landmark’s preservation and are the reason it is still standing and operating here in Northeast Louisiana today.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=54c0fd0d5eeca665bc003365bbf75ed8 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=502d5b660ff0d066c10fd198e1f8bda4 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d23bd403057c6f513ae20f593d3d53d1 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=93c6cecc4a654af725b34692cce89262 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=425053e7bbb0ca40a849e2739b77f271 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=767df2f989f2f97b45347f7b16ba8744 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=09e734268f2230d36a99c3e9678ebac2 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ffb5100b7121ea0cf2b408cb36cd2aed 2560w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_5419.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=6b8a58330b49243737a6d397c465e4ad 3840w)
Many have wined and dined at Park Avenue’s most iconic spot, Genusa’s Italian Restaurant. This Monroe gem, started by Francis and Cherry Genusa, is currently owned and operated by three generations of women in the Genusa family. Booming with business since 1967, this quintessential restaurant has grown through the labors of love brought on by Cherry, Rachel, and Ashley Genusa. With their passion for family and food at the center of it all, the Genusa ladies bring a whole new meaning to “keeping it in the family”. The ladies have worked hard to acquire a consistently rotating wine list, a plethora of loyal customers, and a legacy that has stood the test of time. Genusa’s Restaurant is the perfect example of a local matriarchal success.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=60aa9a85e903a46bc4063f19516e11c8 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8851fce026b8e11046495dfb7c2989c5 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a2c987c5d79efe32555fa7266aac9fb9 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=df1a51e381b789ea3d6fc611f9162feb 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f5c6eb6ca94a505b2c9607af61801be6 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6e5c0967cec967040462bdb1eadb7f48 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=24aa74d369f76d3abf1d68feebbba322 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=676b8c245667105c0a9ce9885149477b 2560w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Biedenharns-ELsong-Garden-in-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=9925dd68328fbb41c8c927585d4b5020 3840w)
The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is a long-standing Monroe landmark. The history behind the museum’s founder, however, is even more striking than the landmark itself. Emy-Lou Biedenharn was the only daughter of Joseph Biedenharn, the man to first put Coca Cola in a bottle. After a lengthy singing career in Europe, Emy-Lou returned to her hometown of Monroe, Louisiana amongst the breakout of World War II. Emy-Lou faced many adversities in her lifetime. Born with a severe clubbed foot, she persevered and learned to dance, perform, and even mastered the proper court curtsy (a deep, floor length version of the greeting) to present to King George VI. She later built the ElSong (Emy-Lou’s Song) Gardens, inspired by the magnificent gardens that she visited during her European travels. She also began the Bible Museum and asked that the Biedenharn family home be turned into a museum upon her death- with everything in the home to remain exactly as she left it, as long as the museum stands. Ms. Biedenharn left behind a staggering legacy with the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Foundation, which supports the arts & education in Northeast Louisiana. Her contributions to the Museum’s founding and to the Monroe-West Monroe community continue to shape the future and highlight the history of Ouachita Parish.
Monroe-West Monroe would not be what it is today without the hard work, advocacy, and dedication of the women who helped build it.
Related Content:
Layton Castle
1133 S. Grand Street
Monroe, LA 71202
(318) 322-4869
Layton Castle1133 S. Grand Street
Monroe, LA 71202
Genusa’s Italian Restaurant
815 Park Avenue
Monroe, LA 71202
(318) 387-3083
Genusa's Italian Restaurant815 Park Avenue
Monroe, LA 71202
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
2000 Riverside Drive
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 387-5281
Website
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens2000 Riverside Drive
Monroe, LA 71201