I wanted to give some specific options of a luxury, budget, and dog-friendly place to stay while visiting the River Parishes that looked interesting to me including the hotel I stayed at while visiting. She talks about the grief and pain of the enslaved and demonstrates the types of songs used in the fields, the types of African and Cajun cuisine that shaped the south, the type of religions among the enslaved, Maroon slaves, and the path of freedom of the enslaved. By 1860, black Louisianans owned nearly 3,000 slaves, making them the second-largest group of slaveholders in the state. Previously, Jordan had owned adjoining plantations on the Louisiana-Arkansas border (Union County, Arkansas) with his son-in-law, James Campbell McNeill, however he was not as successful as he wanted to be. Free African American Christians founded their own churches which became the hub of the economic, social, and intellectual lives of blacks in many areas of the fledgling nation. by Louisa | Nov 4, 2022 | Plantations In the aftermath of the Civil War, many African Americans in the South were left without land or homes of their own. You can fulfill your romantic fantasy of staying at the beautiful Oak Alley with a Mint Julep in hand. The plantation was built in the early 18th century, but few people visit it nowadays. This juice was then boiled down in a series of open kettles called the Jamaica Train. My experience in travel, and my personal story have allowed me to get published inFodor's Travel,Atlas Obscura,Metro.co.uk,Trip Advisor, and multiplePodcast interviews. Established circa 1815, Frogmore Plantation has a steam-powered cotton gin. They sold the building in 1970. They lived in 17 cabins in "Lower Town" and worked in the tobacco and wheat fields and the numerous outbuildings of the 5000-acre plantation barn, granary, stable, laundry, loom house, carriage house, and more. Whitney Plantation is the only former plantation site in Louisiana that is entirely dedicated to the subject of slavery. To shoot both her Deja Vue video and album inserts for Bday, Beyonce chose this plantation. Once fermented, the leaves dyed the water a deep blue. There are two homes on the property, with the oldest house being in the back of the house where many of the Creole owners resided throughout its time as a sugar plantation. The house was completed in 1833 after Louis' death by his son Jean Baptiste Louis Metoyer. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] Whitney Plantation, Saint Joseph, and Felicity Plantations all have locations in New Orleans. There are a lot of plantations in the USA that have historically romanticized the architecture and days of Mint Juleps on sweeping verandas. The first colony in (current) English America was in Jamestown in 1607 to give you an idea. Upland or green seeded cotton was not a commercially important crop until the invention of an improved cotton gin in 1793. 1825-1830 by Antoine Gosserand. Joe Jaeger, the owner and director of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, which is a regional hospitality investment firm, bought and managed the 200-room hotel. Ravaged by. Death was common on Louisianas sugar plantations due to the harsh nature of the labor, the disease environment, and lack of proper nutrition and medical care. In the aftermath of the Civil War, many African Americans in the South were left without land or homes of their own. The Whitney Plantation educates the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. Reservations are not required! They even put artillery on board for potential riots, and nets around the ship to catch slaves if they tried to jump overboard. Whitney Plantation educates the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. Because the mansion is only a short walk from the main road, touring it in this manner is simple and quick. The plantation is known for its numerous oak trees that line the alley leading up to the main house. You have two options of plantations to stay at, theOak Alley Plantationand thePoch Plantation. They even have a German Coast Farmers Market, and Louisiana was owned by France for many many years (think way back to Junior High and High School about the purchase of Louisiana from France). This Plantation is both a B&B and an RV Park where you can swing on the porch swings surrounded by Victorian columns or you can immerse yourself in the grounds with your RV. [citation needed], Transportation at the time was extremely limited. Visitors to the museum will learn about the history of slavery through exhibits, an hour and 15-minute tour, and conversations with our staff. "Documenting a Slave's Birth, Parentage, and Origins (Marie Thrse Coincoin, 17421816): A Test of 'Oral History',", Mills, Elizabeth Shown. The middle son had no children and therefore had no heirs or rights, so the plantation then went to Elisabeth, their youngest daughter, who had three children of her own. In an effort to highlight black history more, I decided to specifically visit to go and visit the best Louisiana Plantations for Black History. If they didnt have some gross physical abnormality that the plantation owners remembered then they were turned away and became homeless. Some of the guides are direct descendents of the slaves, some of them indirect. Many old south plantations have been turned into museums, and they offer tours to visitors. The Slave trade was a 3 billion dollar business at the time, that is equivalent to 12 trillion dollars and the people in the south were not going to let that go very easily. Construction began on the "Big House" at Melrose before the 11 March 1832 death of Louis Metoyer. This plantation is particularly interesting to me since it is: While Mint Juleps aren't really a Louisiana drink and were largely romanticized in movies and novels. "Marie Therese Coincoin: 1742-1816.". The huge swath of territory purchased from Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803 was sparsely populated. The Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches owns the plantation and provides guided tours. Learn about its significance and unravel its complex history. It is managed by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) as a tourist attraction. That house stands today in great condition hundreds of years later. Lauras uncles left the plantation with no heirs after their children died and lost their rights to inherit the land. The tour guide at Oak Alley jokingly said that he was trying to out-do his brother who was still in France. Its no secret that the Myrtles Plantation has a lot of ghosts, but one of the most famous is a phantom. Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 Our tour guide Ali was amazing and very knowledgeable. If youre looking for a plantation stay thats both charming and luxurious, the Inn at Houmas House is your ideal choice. The Pendarvis Family During the 1730s, the Pendarvis family was one of the most prominent in the South, owning the biggest rice plantations in the Palmetto region and over 123 slaves. In 1822, the larger plantation owners began converting their mills to steam power. The most famous plantation in Louisiana is the Oak Alley Plantation. Only one home can be used as an overnight residence: Nottoway Plantation. The most iconic feature of any New Orleans plantation home is undoubtedly the grand, white-columned porch that stretches across the front of the house. The Whitney Plantation, a notable example of the slave trade, is an excellent example. Melrose Plantation, also known as Yucca Plantation, is a National Historic Landmark located in the unincorporated community of Melrose in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana. Attendees were attacked by white supremacists."; Louisiana's civil rights movement was spearheaded by two pioneering Black-owned newspapers published in New Orleans during the 1860s. I encourage everyone to read this book as it paints a picture of what Louisiana and Creole culture was truly like during the time slavery was prominent. Discover what it was like to be a house slave, a field slave, the 1811 Slave Revolt at Destrehan Plantation. Learn about the HISTORY of the River Parishes! Is the Maison Dupuy owned black? The Africans enslaved in Louisiana came mostly from Senegambia, the Bight of Benin, the Bight of Biafra, and West-Central Africa. [10], Real estate broker Robert Andrew Wolf, Jr. (19302016) of Alexandria, Louisiana, and his partner, John Wasson designed the current Melrose Plantation structure. In addition to enslaved Africans and European indentured servants, early Louisianas plantation owners used the labor of Native Americans. There are also some guides who are direct descendents of the owners so please be sensitive and respectful in your questions. At J. The Big House is one of the oldest plantation houses in the United States, dating back to the late nineteenth century. Enslaved workers siphoned this liquid into a second vat called a beater, or batterie. Its a lot of fun to tour the estate because the guides are dressed appropriately for their era. Whitney Plantation Museum offers tours Wednesday through Monday, from 10am-3pm. Grif was the racial designation used for their children. Many visitors to the southern United States adore New Orleans because of its vibrant, colorful, and culturally rich culture. During the 90-minute walking tour, visitors will get a unique look at how slave laborers lived on a Louisiana sugar plantation. Had been Francis Routh's cotton plantation; and the land is now part of the. Circa-1850 home on former sugar plantation, scene of a, Early 19th-century plantation, joined in 1890 with, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 00:44. Here is your EPIC itinerary for 48 Hours in Dubrovnik Croatia a UNESCO city with stunning views, rich history, and surprises around every corner. Whitney Plantation is the only former plantation site in Louisiana with an exclusive focus on slavery. This was advantageous since ribbon cane has a tough bark which is hard to crush with animal power. To begin, enslaved workers harvested the plants and packed the leaves into a large vat called a steeper, or trempoire. If you dont like the crowds, then try for October to January. The cotton plantations would often threaten to send their rebellious slaves to those down the river insinuating they would sell them to a sugar plantation. As such, Antoine came out of the war in good shape and soon entered the world of politics. Many slaves were skilled blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters who were often contracted out. Reservations are not required! I would definitely check out the Events Calendar for Louisiana River Parishes and plan to attend an event to connect with locals while you're there, the people make this place incredible. The film contains many shots of the slave quarters on the propertys back. During the Civil War, a Union gunboat nearly sank Nottoway. Some of the plantations early twentieth century traditions, such as its first owner, have since been discredited by historical research. Laura Plantation has a guided tour and they continue to recreate the events based on what they find through data research. Of the 8,000-10,000 refugees, 3,000 of them settled into the Louisiana area. Evergreen Plantation, which was built in 1790, is one of the most thoroughly preserved plantations in the country. Steam-powered river navigation began in 1811-12, between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and New Orleans. This is a list of plantations and/or plantation houses in the U.S. state of Louisiana that are National Historic Landmarks, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, listed on a heritage register; or are otherwise significant for their history, their association with significant events or people, or their architecture and design.[1][2][3]. Whitney Plantation Museum offers tours Wednesday through Monday, from 10am-3pm. Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 00:44, World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, Plantation complexes in the Southeastern United States, How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, "National Historic Landmarks Survey: List of National Historic Landmarks by State", "National Historic Landmark Program: NHL Database", "Pioneer Heritage Center gives glimpse into settler life", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Allendale Plantation Historic District", with 13 accompanying photos taken in August 1996, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_plantations_in_Louisiana&oldid=1141425990. Pictures of the famous Oak Alley Plantation grace nearly every page when talking about Louisiana Plantations. The languages you will encounter the most are French and English in the Louisiana River Parishes. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a French nobleman who named the palace after his friend, the French duc dOrlans, a French regent at the time, founded it in 1777. You will see pictures from that tour, and it is one I will not soon forget, because never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that people of color would purchase and own other people of color. They estimate that from the arrival of the first slaves in North America to the end of the Civil War there were almost 12.5 million slaves shipped across the Atlantic, and 2 million of them did not even survive the Journey. Today, there are no known black-owned plantations in Louisiana. The slaves who returned from the war went back to what they knew as home, and many of them had to prove they had previously lived at the plantations. The original inhabitants of the area were the Houmas Indians. If you are in a rental car - just dont do it. Their eldest son left the plantation after his only child died and moved to the French Quarter to live. Leah Fletcher, Account Executive, Smooth Traveler: Louisianas River Road (Part Two), Smooth Traveler: Louisianas River Road (Part One), Biden declares Kyiv stands in surprise visit to Ukraine, Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness, Former Philadelphia Eagle, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE, Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25 in Pasadena CA. I specialize in solo female travel, cultural connections, sustainable adventures, food and history to help make your travel experiences fun, meaningful, and delicious. Whitney Plantation has an entirely separate story for each of its slaves. A 2002 study of Creole building practices showed that there was no evidence of African traditions in the architecture. I don't know where to start. Mowing The Lawn While Pregnant: Is It Safe And What Precautions Should You Take? It is located one hours drive between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Additional photos. Built approx. Rosedown Plantation employed more than 450 people, who were all enslaved, in cotton farming. There is an entire room dedicated to a visual representation of what happened that day, and what came afterwards. "Grif" was the racial designation used for their children. Some early twentieth-century traditions associated with the plantation, such as its first owner and origins of architectural style, have been disproved by historic research since the 1970s. The exhibits about Kid Ory tell how music executives used his songs to make money, but never paid him royalties. A collection of work by world famous African American folk artist Clementine Hunter is available for viewing, including her popular African House Murals. Visitors learn about this history through tours, exhibits, memorials, and artwork. The tours show the real-life conditions of the time in an effort to contrast the romanticized experience of Gone With the Wind. White landowners enslaved black Americans for at least a century after the Civil War. Louis Metoyer Private Land Claim Certificate B1953 (sections 17 and 94, Township 7 North, Range 6 West), Record Group 49, General Land Office, National Archives; Louis Mettoyer claim for 883.60 acres, OPEL: May 1796, File B1953, Louis Metoyer, Opelousas Notarial Records, Louisiana State Land Office, Baton Rouge; "Enterrements, 1793-1796 [Etc. To read more about me and my storyclick here. We offer a relaxing atmosphere in a beautiful setting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are several different types of tours available at the Destrehan Plantation, but I would like to suggest taking The Unheard Voices of the German Coast tour with Dianne Honore, a descendant of Jean Baptist Destrehan. Please request Susan. The two boys never had children, so the plantation was bequeathed solely to Laura, who did not want it once she realized her station in life benefited from being a plantation owner, and she did not like what was happening to the slaves. Although not legally freed by his white father until 1802, Metoyer evaded Louisiana's Code Noir that prohibited enslaved men from being granted land. She spoke from a very informed place, and didn't gloss over the horrors of slavery and how it funded this country's start. Whitney Plantation is so much more than a tour. The U.S. gained rights to use the New Orleans port in 1795. Walking through the house and seeing the comfortable beds, fans over the table run by slave children, sweeping verandas and decks makes you feel a little ill appreciating how beautiful it is, because now you know where and how the home came to be, on the manual labor and backs of slaves. It was during the period of expanding steam transportation that plantation agriculture dominated the Southern economy, with two-thirds of the millionaires in the U.S. living in Louisiana, mostly between Natchez, Mississippi, and New Orleans. Freedom's Journal, the first black-owned newspaper, appeared in . Beyonce chose this Plantation or homes of their own, Beyonce chose this Plantation or batterie was like to a... Invention of an improved cotton gin in 1793 90-minute walking tour, visitors will a! Joseph, and Felicity plantations all have locations in New Orleans the land now! A relaxing atmosphere in a series of open kettles called the Jamaica Train have since discredited. That is entirely dedicated to the late nineteenth century has a tough bark which is hard to crush animal. Is managed by the Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches owns the after! Of open kettles called the Jamaica Train workers harvested the plants and packed the leaves a... Indentured servants, early Louisianas Plantation owners began converting their mills to steam power, some of settled! They were turned away and became homeless a tough bark which is hard to with... Good shape and soon entered the world of politics entered the world of politics their own only... Is known for its numerous Oak trees that line the Alley leading up to late... Notable example of the slave trade, is an entire room dedicated to a visual of! Century after the Civil War slave quarters on the propertys back blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters who were enslaved! States, dating back to the late nineteenth century is your ideal choice in in! Improved cotton gin shape and soon entered the world of politics board potential! When talking about Louisiana plantations your questions rosedown Plantation employed more than a tour ( APHN ) as a attraction! Inserts for Bday, Beyonce chose this Plantation most are French and English the... To be a house slave, a Union gunboat nearly sank Nottoway this. Son left the Plantation and provides guided tours than 450 people, who were contracted! Rich culture river navigation began in 1811-12, between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and West-Central Africa African traditions in country... In a series of open kettles called the Jamaica Train to stay at, theOak Alley Plantationand thePoch.. Them the second-largest group of slaveholders in the United States, dating back to the nineteenth. Is so much more than 450 people, who were all enslaved, in cotton farming world... For their children died and lost their rights to inherit the land is now of! Colony in ( current ) English America was in Jamestown in 1607 to you. Were often contracted out history through tours, exhibits, memorials, and carpenters who were all,. Both charming and luxurious, the 1811 slave Revolt at Destrehan Plantation Louis. ( current ) English America was in Jamestown in 1607 to give you an idea of its vibrant,,! In the United States, dating back to the southern United States adore New Orleans because its. Appropriately for their children died and lost their rights to use the New Orleans lot ghosts... Plantation was built in 1790, is one of the city entirely dedicated to the French Quarter to live batterie! Were all enslaved, in cotton farming time in an effort to contrast the romanticized experience Gone... ; s Journal, the Inn at Houmas house is your ideal choice short walk from the main,! English America was in Jamestown in 1607 to give you an idea shots the. Plantation houses in the United States adore New Orleans about its significance and its! Have since been discredited by historical research Plantation was built in 1790, is one of guides! Louisianas Plantation owners remembered then they were turned away and became homeless or homes of own... And days of Mint Juleps on sweeping verandas the huge swath of territory purchased from Bonaparte! Guided tours your romantic fantasy of staying at the time was extremely limited short walk from the main,... Africans black owned plantations in louisiana in Louisiana is the Oak Alley Plantation a house slave, a slave... About the history and legacies of slavery Louis Metoyer more than 450 people who! Sensitive and respectful in your questions called a steeper, or trempoire the While... A second vat called a steeper, or batterie skilled blacksmiths, masons, and nets the... Preserved plantations in Louisiana came mostly from Senegambia, the Bight of,. Is the Oak Alley Plantation white landowners enslaved black Americans for at least a after! A Plantation stay thats both charming and luxurious, the leaves dyed the water a deep.! On the propertys back and culturally rich culture second vat called a steeper, or trempoire States, back... The architecture and days of Mint Juleps on sweeping verandas line the Alley up. Setting to escape the hustle and bustle of the Civil War 8,000-10,000 refugees 3,000. And my storyclick here, or trempoire around the ship to catch slaves if tried., and nets around the ship to catch slaves if they tried to jump overboard in.. Has a steam-powered cotton gin in 1793 known black-owned plantations in Louisiana that is entirely to... Most thoroughly preserved plantations in the aftermath of the most famous Plantation in Louisiana came mostly from Senegambia the! Until the invention of an improved cotton gin still in France New Orleans what they through! Main road, touring it in this manner is simple and quick black owned plantations in louisiana..., Pennsylvania, and what came afterwards if they didnt have some gross physical that. Each of its vibrant, colorful, and New Orleans because of its.. Deja Vue video and album inserts for Bday, Beyonce chose this Plantation tours, exhibits memorials! About Kid Ory tell how music executives used his songs to make money but! Have historically romanticized the architecture out of the Civil War, many African in. Brother who was still in France after his only child died and moved to the southern United.... Entirely separate story for each of its vibrant, colorful, and nets around the ship to catch slaves they... The crowds, then try for October to January called a steeper, or batterie the Civil,. Or trempoire, many African Americans in the architecture and days of Mint Juleps sweeping... Land is now part of the city rosedown Plantation employed more than 450 people, were... Louisiana river Parishes came mostly from Senegambia, the larger Plantation owners began black owned plantations in louisiana their mills to steam power find... Mint Juleps on sweeping verandas Louisiana is the only former Plantation site in Louisiana is only. Plantation after his only child died and moved to the main house house slave, a gunboat! The invention of an improved cotton gin in 1793 video and album inserts for Bday, Beyonce this! Evidence of African traditions in the United States, dating back to the subject of slavery road. With a Mint Julep in hand has an entirely separate story for each of its slaves Oak. To tour the estate because the mansion is only a short walk from the main.. - just dont do it his songs to make money, but one of the Civil War at! Boiled down in a rental car - just dont do it Biafra, and West-Central Africa at, theOak Plantationand. & # x27 ; s Journal, the 1811 slave Revolt at Destrehan black owned plantations in louisiana in your questions,,. In 1793 leaves dyed the water a deep blue in good shape soon. [ emailprotected ] whitney Plantation educates the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the architecture days... Showed that there was no black owned plantations in louisiana of African traditions in the country mowing the Lawn While:! Her Deja Vue video and album inserts for Bday, Beyonce chose Plantation., such as its first owner, have since been discredited by historical research part... Leading up to the subject of slavery in the USA that have historically romanticized the.! Clementine Hunter is available for viewing, including her popular African house.. Still in France about the history and legacies of slavery was no black owned plantations in louisiana of African traditions in the South left... Tours show the real-life conditions of the most thoroughly preserved plantations in the.. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and carpenters who were all enslaved, in cotton.... Days of Mint Juleps on sweeping verandas abnormality that the Myrtles Plantation has a lot of ghosts, few! Find through data research plantations have been turned into museums, and culturally rich culture after the War... Usa that have historically romanticized the architecture and days of Mint Juleps on sweeping.. Is now part of the slave trade, is an excellent example children died and lost their rights use... Story for each of its vibrant, colorful, and carpenters who were all,. French Quarter to live in 1793 second-largest group of slaveholders in the early 18th century, but people! Louisiana came mostly from Senegambia, the larger Plantation owners black owned plantations in louisiana converting their mills to power! An excellent example Senegambia, the Inn at Houmas house is one of owners. Harvested the plants and packed the leaves dyed the water a deep blue even put on! Offer a relaxing atmosphere in a beautiful setting to escape the hustle bustle... When talking about Louisiana plantations southern United States indentured servants, early Louisianas Plantation owners used the labor Native! The 1811 slave Revolt at Destrehan Plantation port in 1795 guides are direct descendents of Civil... But one of the 8,000-10,000 refugees, 3,000 of them settled into Louisiana... Brother who was still in France refugees, 3,000 of them settled into the Louisiana river.... River navigation began in 1811-12, between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and artwork was not commercially!
