Destrehan Plantation - A Louisiana Legacy
With
one of the most interesting tours in all of New Orleans Plantation
Country, no trip to this area would be complete without a visit to
Destrehan Plantation. Established in 1787, Destrehan Plantation remains
the oldest documented plantation home in the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Here, visitors can gaze upon an original document signed by Thomas
Jefferson and James Madison. Dated 1804, the “Jefferson Document”
assigned a handful of men, including the plantation’s first owner --
Jean Noel Destrehan -- to the Orleans Territorial Council, a body formed
after the Louisiana Purchase to help ease the cultural transition of
the Orleans Territory into an American representative democracy.
Destrehan Plantation history is associated with many other notable people and events. This is where the trial took place for the famous 1811 Slave Revolt. Many years later as the Civil War neared its end, the Union Army seized Destrehan Plantation and established the Rost Home Colony where newly freed slaves learned various trades. And, fueled by a legend that Jean Lafitte had frequently visited Destrehan Plantation, fortune seekers once ripped out the home’s walls in search of the illustrious pirate’s hidden treasure.
Witness costumed guides interpreting the fascinating legacy of the Destrehan family and the unique architectural features of the home. The plantation offers period craft demonstrations daily, including open hearth cooking, bousillage construction, indigo dyeing, sugar cane processing, weaving, carpentry of the 1780s, and African-American herbal remedies. Destrehan Plantation also hosts some of the area’s most popular events, including its Annual Fall Festival which draws artists and craft vendors from throughout the country, and offers delicious Cajun and Creole food, rare antiques, plenty of live music and special activities for children.
Today, Destrehan Plantation is owned and operated by the River Road Historical Society, which saved this historic home from years of neglect and restored it to its present and beautiful form. We invite you to come and see this glorious piece of history for yourself!
Laura: A Creole Plantation - Louisiana, A World Apart
According to Lonely Planet Travel, the “Best History Tour in the United States” is right here in New Orleans Plantation Country. So, what makes a visit to Laura: A Creole Plantation so special? Here, guests are treated to more than a house and antiques tour. Here – like nowhere else in the South – visitors become totally immersed in Louisiana’s rich, Creole culture.
Laura: A Creole Plantation offers a 70-minute tour that is based on 5,000 pages of documents from the French National Archives related to the free and enslaved families who lived here. Professional guides will share the compelling, real-life accounts of 7 generations of Laura Plantation’s Creole inhabitants.
Discover what life was like for the plantation owners, women, slaves and children who once called this centuries-old, sugar cane farm their home.
With 11 structures listed on the National Register, Laura Plantation offers guests the chance to explore its newly restored Manor House, the formal and kitchen gardens, Banana-Land grove, and its authentic Creole cottages and slave cabins.
But perhaps Laura Plantation is best known for the West-African stories the home’s former slaves related to folklorist Alcée Fortier. Recorded at the slave cabins here in the 1870's, they were later popularized in English and became the “Tales of Br’er Rabbit.”
It’s no wonder why Laura: A Creole Plantation was awarded the title of “Top Travel Attraction” by the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Come and discover for yourself a cultural tour experience unlike anything else in the country.
Click here to download our brochure.
Destrehan Plantation history is associated with many other notable people and events. This is where the trial took place for the famous 1811 Slave Revolt. Many years later as the Civil War neared its end, the Union Army seized Destrehan Plantation and established the Rost Home Colony where newly freed slaves learned various trades. And, fueled by a legend that Jean Lafitte had frequently visited Destrehan Plantation, fortune seekers once ripped out the home’s walls in search of the illustrious pirate’s hidden treasure.
Witness costumed guides interpreting the fascinating legacy of the Destrehan family and the unique architectural features of the home. The plantation offers period craft demonstrations daily, including open hearth cooking, bousillage construction, indigo dyeing, sugar cane processing, weaving, carpentry of the 1780s, and African-American herbal remedies. Destrehan Plantation also hosts some of the area’s most popular events, including its Annual Fall Festival which draws artists and craft vendors from throughout the country, and offers delicious Cajun and Creole food, rare antiques, plenty of live music and special activities for children.
Today, Destrehan Plantation is owned and operated by the River Road Historical Society, which saved this historic home from years of neglect and restored it to its present and beautiful form. We invite you to come and see this glorious piece of history for yourself!
13034 River Rd.
Destrehan, LA 70047
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
985-535-2341
888-509-1756
Fax:
985-535-5450
Hours:
Daily 9:40 am to 4:00 pm.
Cost:
Adults
$15.00, Children (6 to 17) $7.00, Special Discounts for AAA &
Military $14.00, Scheduled Groups of 15 or more $12.00 per person
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Capacity: 300
Evergreen Plantation - The South's Most Intact Plantation Complex
Wander
the beautiful grounds of the most intact plantation complex in the
entire South. Evergreen Plantation has an astonishing 37 buildings on
the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins in
their original, double row configuration. In fact, Evergreen Plantation
joins Mount Vernon and Gettysburg for having achieved the nation’s
highest historic designation, and has been granted its exceptional
landmark status for the plantation’s agricultural acreage.
The Evergreen Plantation tours include the main house as well as the complex’s remarkably preserved slave quarters and other dependencies. Dating back to 1790, the “Big House” began its existence as a raised Creole house, and was remodeled to its present form in 1832. The 90-minute tour emphasizes the plantation’s dependence on slave labor, as well as the labor of freed African-Americans later in its history that was necessary to operate such a multifaceted enterprise. With so many of its structures still intact, Evergreen Plantation offers visitors an outstanding representation of the plantation culture in Louisiana.
Stroll through an allée of one hundred, 200-year-old live oaks as you tour this living history book. Hear the stories highlighting two and a half centuries of family ownership, learn about the architectural significance of Evergreen Plantation’s many buildings, and discover how the plantation was rooted in and reliant on agriculture. As a privately owned, operating sugar cane plantation where people continue to live and work, Evergreen Plantation is simply a must-see during your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country.
The Evergreen Plantation tours include the main house as well as the complex’s remarkably preserved slave quarters and other dependencies. Dating back to 1790, the “Big House” began its existence as a raised Creole house, and was remodeled to its present form in 1832. The 90-minute tour emphasizes the plantation’s dependence on slave labor, as well as the labor of freed African-Americans later in its history that was necessary to operate such a multifaceted enterprise. With so many of its structures still intact, Evergreen Plantation offers visitors an outstanding representation of the plantation culture in Louisiana.
Stroll through an allée of one hundred, 200-year-old live oaks as you tour this living history book. Hear the stories highlighting two and a half centuries of family ownership, learn about the architectural significance of Evergreen Plantation’s many buildings, and discover how the plantation was rooted in and reliant on agriculture. As a privately owned, operating sugar cane plantation where people continue to live and work, Evergreen Plantation is simply a must-see during your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country.
Phone:
985-497-3837
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9:30 ,11:30 am & 2:00pm
Cost:
Adults $20.00, Children (12 years and under) $10.00, Groups of 6 or more $8.00 per person
Weddings:
no
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
20-30
Photo Gallery
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Houmas House Plantation - The Crown Jewel Of Louisiana's River Road
Once you’ve visited Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in person, you’ll know why it is called “The Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road.” At one time during the 19th century, Houmas House farmed sugarcane on tens of thousands of acres, and became the largest producer of sugar in the country. In fact, this grand estate was so lavish that it was described by many as “The Sugar Palace.”
The mansion and grounds have
been thoroughly restored and enhanced to reflect the opulent lifestyle
and grandeur of the successful sugar barons who once lived in Houmas
House. Guides in period dress offer visitors an entertaining glimpse
into the resplendent world of southern plantation life through the
Houmas House tours. Inside, guests will find history reflected in the
many antique furnishings and works of art that grace the home’s 16
glorious rooms. Outside, visitors can stroll through 38 acres of
breathtaking, lush gardens, which are replanted throughout the year to
reflect the season. Indeed, the property is so stunning and romantic
that it was voted the Number One Ceremony Location by the Professional
Wedding Guild of South Louisiana.
Houmas House Plantation is also home to one of the “Top 20 Restaurants in America.” Latil’s Landing offers guests a truly unforgettable, fine dining experience. For those who prefer more casual fare, the plantation’s lunchtime restaurant -- Café Burnside – is guaranteed to please with its laid-back, southern menu. And, visitors are sure to find a unique keepsake or the perfect gift for any occasion by browsing Houmas House Plantation’s 8,000 square foot decorator gift shop.
Houmas House offers visitors much more than a tour of a plantation home. Here, guests feel transported back to a time of antebellum, Southern splendor. The owner invites you to slow down and enjoy a leisurely time here. So, relax. Play a game of croquet. Sip a refreshing Mint Julep. And experience the South the way it was meant to be, at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.
Houmas House Plantation is also home to one of the “Top 20 Restaurants in America.” Latil’s Landing offers guests a truly unforgettable, fine dining experience. For those who prefer more casual fare, the plantation’s lunchtime restaurant -- Café Burnside – is guaranteed to please with its laid-back, southern menu. And, visitors are sure to find a unique keepsake or the perfect gift for any occasion by browsing Houmas House Plantation’s 8,000 square foot decorator gift shop.
Houmas House offers visitors much more than a tour of a plantation home. Here, guests feel transported back to a time of antebellum, Southern splendor. The owner invites you to slow down and enjoy a leisurely time here. So, relax. Play a game of croquet. Sip a refreshing Mint Julep. And experience the South the way it was meant to be, at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.
40136 Hwy. 942
Darrow, LA 70725
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
225-473-9380
Fax:
225-473-7891
Hours:
Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Cost:
Mansion and Gardens $20.00, Gardens and Grounds $10.00, Groups of 15 or more $15.00 per person
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Photo Gallery
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According to Lonely Planet Travel, the “Best History Tour in the United States” is right here in New Orleans Plantation Country. So, what makes a visit to Laura: A Creole Plantation so special? Here, guests are treated to more than a house and antiques tour. Here – like nowhere else in the South – visitors become totally immersed in Louisiana’s rich, Creole culture.
Laura: A Creole Plantation offers a 70-minute tour that is based on 5,000 pages of documents from the French National Archives related to the free and enslaved families who lived here. Professional guides will share the compelling, real-life accounts of 7 generations of Laura Plantation’s Creole inhabitants.
Discover what life was like for the plantation owners, women, slaves and children who once called this centuries-old, sugar cane farm their home.
With 11 structures listed on the National Register, Laura Plantation offers guests the chance to explore its newly restored Manor House, the formal and kitchen gardens, Banana-Land grove, and its authentic Creole cottages and slave cabins.
But perhaps Laura Plantation is best known for the West-African stories the home’s former slaves related to folklorist Alcée Fortier. Recorded at the slave cabins here in the 1870's, they were later popularized in English and became the “Tales of Br’er Rabbit.”
It’s no wonder why Laura: A Creole Plantation was awarded the title of “Top Travel Attraction” by the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Come and discover for yourself a cultural tour experience unlike anything else in the country.
Click here to download our brochure.
2247 Hwy. 18
Vacherie, LA 70090
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
225-265-7690
888-799-7690
Fax:
225-265-7960
Hours:
Daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Cost:
Adults
$18.00, Student (6 to 17 years) $5.00, Scheduled Groups of 20 or more:
Adults $12.00, Children $5.00 per person, School Group Rates: Student
$5.00, Adult Chaperone: $12.00 per person, Discounts for AAA, National
Trust, Military, & We Save $16.00
Weddings:
no
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Call for more information
Photo Gallery
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Oak Alley Plantation - The Grand Dame Of The Great River Road
Perhaps
the most photographed plantation in Louisiana, this home was built in
1839 and was originally named Bon Séjour (pleasant sojourn). But
steamboat passengers traveling on the nearby Mississippi River had a
different view of the property. Marveling at the quarter-mile avenue of
28 giant, live oaks leading up to the house, they dubbed it “Oak Alley.”
From the moment you gaze up the tree-lined drive to the splendid Greek Revival style mansion, it is evident that Oak Alley Plantation is an extraordinary place. Step inside to gracious interiors that echo the romance of another era, where gleaming hardwood floors and shimmering chandeliers reflect both streams of sunlight, and the venerable history of this magnificent home.
Oak Alley Plantation's restaurant is housed in a 19th century cottage on the grounds, and offers a delicious menu of traditional Cajun and Creole dishes. Take advantage of Oak Alley Plantation’s location in the heart of New Orleans Plantation Country by making your stay here. The Bed & Breakfast cottages near the mansion offer the best of both worlds … a century-old, quiet setting equipped with modern comforts. Indeed, guests delight in taking leisurely strolls on the lush grounds or on the levee where they can watch the mighty Mississippi River roll by. And of course, Oak Alley Plantation weddings offer a fairy tale setting, and the home serves as an ideal venue for group functions and special events.
You may have glimpsed this fabled plantation on screen, as it has appeared in several popular movies and television shows. The magnificence and allure of Oak Alley Plantation regularly draws celebrities and other VIPs who come to tour the plantation firsthand. And, there have even been some ghostly sightings by guides and staff members, as well as guests. So you never know who or what you might see at Oak Alley Plantation during your visit!
Nowhere else in the South will you find a more spectacular setting. Bring your camera, and experience a bygone era at Oak Alley Plantation … the “Grande Dame” of the Great Louisiana River Road.
From the moment you gaze up the tree-lined drive to the splendid Greek Revival style mansion, it is evident that Oak Alley Plantation is an extraordinary place. Step inside to gracious interiors that echo the romance of another era, where gleaming hardwood floors and shimmering chandeliers reflect both streams of sunlight, and the venerable history of this magnificent home.
Oak Alley Plantation's restaurant is housed in a 19th century cottage on the grounds, and offers a delicious menu of traditional Cajun and Creole dishes. Take advantage of Oak Alley Plantation’s location in the heart of New Orleans Plantation Country by making your stay here. The Bed & Breakfast cottages near the mansion offer the best of both worlds … a century-old, quiet setting equipped with modern comforts. Indeed, guests delight in taking leisurely strolls on the lush grounds or on the levee where they can watch the mighty Mississippi River roll by. And of course, Oak Alley Plantation weddings offer a fairy tale setting, and the home serves as an ideal venue for group functions and special events.
You may have glimpsed this fabled plantation on screen, as it has appeared in several popular movies and television shows. The magnificence and allure of Oak Alley Plantation regularly draws celebrities and other VIPs who come to tour the plantation firsthand. And, there have even been some ghostly sightings by guides and staff members, as well as guests. So you never know who or what you might see at Oak Alley Plantation during your visit!
Nowhere else in the South will you find a more spectacular setting. Bring your camera, and experience a bygone era at Oak Alley Plantation … the “Grande Dame” of the Great Louisiana River Road.
3645 Hwy. 18
Vacherie, LA 70090
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
225-265-2151
800-44ALLEY
Fax:
225-265-7035
Hours:
Plantation
Open Daily, March-October 9am-5pm; November-February Mon-Fri,
9am-4:30pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm. Restaurant open 8:30am-3pm
Cost:
Plantation
admission includes the self-guided tour of the historic ground and
guided tour of the Big House. Adults $20; Youth (13-18 yrs) $7.50; Child
(6-12 yrs) $4.50. Group, Senior (65 & Older) & AAA rates
available upon request.
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Capacity: 150
Photo Gallery
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Ormond Plantation - An Historic And Interesting Setting
Pre-dating
the Louisiana Purchase by over a decade, this beautiful mansion is the
oldest French West Indies style Creole Plantation on the Mississippi.
The land upon which Ormond Plantation rests was awarded to a Frenchman
for his service during the American Revolution. The Spanish Governor of
Louisiana gave Pierre d’Trepagnier a tract of land which once stretched
from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. D’Trepagnier
constructed his home on the property, establishing Ormond Plantation in
1789.
Located in the heart of Louisiana’s German Coast, Ormond Plantation history dictates that it originally began as a farm for indigo, like other early plantations of the area. Later, it switched to “white gold” – the more profitable crop of sugar cane – and the plantation prospered.
There have been a handful of mysterious occurrences at Ormond Plantation. The first took place in 1798, when d’Trepagnier was called away from a family meal by a servant to meet with a gentleman assumed to be a Spanish official. The plantation’s owner left with the man, but never returned. No trace of him has ever been found. Sadly, d’Trepagnier was not the only owner to have met with a strange or tragic end. Perhaps, then, it is not surprising that Ormond Plantation is said to have a ghostly resident…
For visitors who wish to make their stay in New Orleans Plantation Country, the Ormond Plantation B & B offers guests a relaxing stay in an historic and interesting setting. Stroll the grounds, walk through the home, and savor the atmosphere of the 19th century as you gaze upon the mighty Mississippi River from the plantation’s upper gallery. For those seeking the perfect, Southern venue for a wedding or other private event, Ormond Plantation is ready and available to make any special occasion unforgettable.
Just nine miles from Louis Armstrong International Airport, visitors can be transported back in time, to a place where the history, the hospitality, and the grandeur of the Old South is alive … at Ormond Plantation.
Located in the heart of Louisiana’s German Coast, Ormond Plantation history dictates that it originally began as a farm for indigo, like other early plantations of the area. Later, it switched to “white gold” – the more profitable crop of sugar cane – and the plantation prospered.
There have been a handful of mysterious occurrences at Ormond Plantation. The first took place in 1798, when d’Trepagnier was called away from a family meal by a servant to meet with a gentleman assumed to be a Spanish official. The plantation’s owner left with the man, but never returned. No trace of him has ever been found. Sadly, d’Trepagnier was not the only owner to have met with a strange or tragic end. Perhaps, then, it is not surprising that Ormond Plantation is said to have a ghostly resident…
For visitors who wish to make their stay in New Orleans Plantation Country, the Ormond Plantation B & B offers guests a relaxing stay in an historic and interesting setting. Stroll the grounds, walk through the home, and savor the atmosphere of the 19th century as you gaze upon the mighty Mississippi River from the plantation’s upper gallery. For those seeking the perfect, Southern venue for a wedding or other private event, Ormond Plantation is ready and available to make any special occasion unforgettable.
Just nine miles from Louis Armstrong International Airport, visitors can be transported back in time, to a place where the history, the hospitality, and the grandeur of the Old South is alive … at Ormond Plantation.
13786 River Rd.
Destrehan, LA 70090
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
985-764-8544
Hours:
Cost:
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Capacity: 125
Photo Gallery
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Poche Plantation - An Historic And Peaceful Place To Stay
This
post-Civil War era house is architecturally unusual when compared to
many of the region’s other surviving plantations. While most of the
grand homes in New Orleans Plantation Country are characterized by Greek
Revival styling, Felix Poché Plantation stands as a fine example of a
house influenced by the Victorian Renaissance Revival style.
When Judge Felix Pierre Poché built the home in 1867, the land had already been the site of a large sugar cane plantation for many years. An accomplished attorney and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, he went on to become the co-founder of the American Bar Association. Later, it was discovered that Judge Poché kept a Civil War diary which he had written in French. Detailing the world of a Confederate in Louisiana during the War Between the States, it has since been translated and published, and is now considered an important resource for scholars. It remains one of the only Confederate diaries describing the Civil War in print.
Visitors to Felix Poché Plantation are invited to tour its many rooms, which offer vivid recollections from the history of the home’s most distinguished families. There are also a wide variety of Felix Poche Plantation accommodations on the property. Their Bed & Breakfast offers guests romantic or family cottages and suites to choose from. Felix Poché is also a Class A Motor Coach RV Park, providing a full-service site designed to accommodate nearly every type of modern camping coach or fifth wheel home. Large concrete spaces, modern tower hookups and state-of-the-art, digital conveniences await travelers, as well as all of the facilities you would expect from one of the first-class Louisiana RV parks.
With its rich history, scenic environment, deluxe services and varied accommodations, Felix Poché Plantation offers its guests a memorable stay in New Orleans Plantation Country.
When Judge Felix Pierre Poché built the home in 1867, the land had already been the site of a large sugar cane plantation for many years. An accomplished attorney and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, he went on to become the co-founder of the American Bar Association. Later, it was discovered that Judge Poché kept a Civil War diary which he had written in French. Detailing the world of a Confederate in Louisiana during the War Between the States, it has since been translated and published, and is now considered an important resource for scholars. It remains one of the only Confederate diaries describing the Civil War in print.
Visitors to Felix Poché Plantation are invited to tour its many rooms, which offer vivid recollections from the history of the home’s most distinguished families. There are also a wide variety of Felix Poche Plantation accommodations on the property. Their Bed & Breakfast offers guests romantic or family cottages and suites to choose from. Felix Poché is also a Class A Motor Coach RV Park, providing a full-service site designed to accommodate nearly every type of modern camping coach or fifth wheel home. Large concrete spaces, modern tower hookups and state-of-the-art, digital conveniences await travelers, as well as all of the facilities you would expect from one of the first-class Louisiana RV parks.
With its rich history, scenic environment, deluxe services and varied accommodations, Felix Poché Plantation offers its guests a memorable stay in New Orleans Plantation Country.
6554 Hwy. 44
Convent, LA 70723
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
225-562-7728
Hours:
Please call for seasonal tour times
Cost:
$20.00
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
no
Capacity:
Capacity: 25
Photo Gallery
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San Francisco Plantation - The Most Opulent Plantation On The Mississippi River
With
its mélange of architectural designs, this ornate mansion offers a
remarkable variation on the plantation styles commonly found along the
Great River Road. From certain angles, San Francisco Plantation has
been thought to resemble a variety of different structures, ranging from
a Mississippi riverboat to a giant layer cake.
Built in 1854 by a wealthy sugar planter, this vividly-colored house is a spectacular creation of great ambition and unique inspiration. Nestled under centuries-old live oaks, San Francisco Plantation is furnished and decorated like no other plantation in the South. The home features world-renowned, hand-painted ceilings, faux marbre and faux bois throughout, and one of the finest antique collections in the country. Tour guides in period dress lead visitors through San Francisco Plantation's 14 rooms filled with authentic furniture reflecting the plantation’s glorious heyday during the late 1850s, the time just prior to the War Between the States.
The grounds of San Francisco Plantation feature some historic outbuildings, such as an 1840s slave cabin, and a school house dating back to the 1830s. And in addition to its annual “Frisco Fest” Spring Garden & Craft Festival, this beautiful property can play host to a variety of private, special events. Wedding ceremonies and receptions, group dinners and other socials are regularly held at San Francisco Plantation, either on the verdant grounds under its majestic oaks, or inside the historic and spacious Sugar Mill Pavilion.
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974, this opulent, colorful plantation is so distinctive that it inspired novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes to write “Steamboat Gothic,” a story about a family she imagined living there. Offering a unique blend of history and romance, make sure your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country includes a stop at San Francisco Plantation.
In more ways than one, the past is present at St. Joseph Plantation. Not only is the property still a working sugarcane plantation, but it’s owned and operated by the descendants of Joseph Waguespack, who purchased the home in 1877.
Originally built in 1830, this 12,000-square-foot antebellum plantation was constructed in a Raised Creole style that predates some of the nearby plantations which are Greek Revival style. St. Joseph Plantation was once owned by the daughter of a wealthy businessman named Gabriel Valcour Aime. Reputedly the richest man in the South – and known as the “Louis XIV of Louisiana” -- Aime gave his daughter the funds to purchase the 1,000 acre St. Joseph Plantation as a wedding gift.
Decades later, the property was sold in a sheriff’s sale following the Civil War. Waguespack’s purchase of the plantation in 1877 began a timeline of family ownership that has continued unbroken to this day. His descendants have traveled from all over the country to lovingly restore St. Joseph Plantation and its outbuildings. The extended families have kept both St. Joseph and its sister plantation, Felicité, thriving since the 19th century. Today, most of the guides giving St. Joseph Plantation tours are family members, who are proud to share this grand and priceless piece of their heritage.
Here, visitors can explore the antique furniture-filled rooms of the main house, the original slave cabins and other dependencies on the grounds. There are interesting exhibits that include tokens used to pay freed slaves who labored here after the Civil War, old farm equipment, and a short film on the sugar cane process. And not surprisingly, with its deep history and idyllic beauty, St. Joseph Plantation has become a popular backdrop for weddings and other special events.
Perhaps the property’s most famous son is H.H. Richardson. Born at what is now St. Joseph Plantation in 1838, he went on to become one of America’s most important architects of the 19th century. Find out more about him, and the many other interesting people who called St. Joseph Plantation “Home” on your next visit here, to New Orleans Plantation Country.
Source: Internet
Built in 1854 by a wealthy sugar planter, this vividly-colored house is a spectacular creation of great ambition and unique inspiration. Nestled under centuries-old live oaks, San Francisco Plantation is furnished and decorated like no other plantation in the South. The home features world-renowned, hand-painted ceilings, faux marbre and faux bois throughout, and one of the finest antique collections in the country. Tour guides in period dress lead visitors through San Francisco Plantation's 14 rooms filled with authentic furniture reflecting the plantation’s glorious heyday during the late 1850s, the time just prior to the War Between the States.
The grounds of San Francisco Plantation feature some historic outbuildings, such as an 1840s slave cabin, and a school house dating back to the 1830s. And in addition to its annual “Frisco Fest” Spring Garden & Craft Festival, this beautiful property can play host to a variety of private, special events. Wedding ceremonies and receptions, group dinners and other socials are regularly held at San Francisco Plantation, either on the verdant grounds under its majestic oaks, or inside the historic and spacious Sugar Mill Pavilion.
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974, this opulent, colorful plantation is so distinctive that it inspired novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes to write “Steamboat Gothic,” a story about a family she imagined living there. Offering a unique blend of history and romance, make sure your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country includes a stop at San Francisco Plantation.
2646 Hwy. 44
Garyville, LA 70051
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
985-535-2341
888-509-1756
Fax:
985-535-5450
Hours:
Daily 9:40 am to 4:00 pm
Cost:
Adults
$15.00, Children (6 to 17) $7.00, Special Discounts for AAA &
Military $14.00, Scheduled Groups of 15 or more $12.00 per person
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Capacity: 500
Photo Gallery
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St. Joseph Plantation - A Louisiana Sugar Cane Family
In more ways than one, the past is present at St. Joseph Plantation. Not only is the property still a working sugarcane plantation, but it’s owned and operated by the descendants of Joseph Waguespack, who purchased the home in 1877.
Originally built in 1830, this 12,000-square-foot antebellum plantation was constructed in a Raised Creole style that predates some of the nearby plantations which are Greek Revival style. St. Joseph Plantation was once owned by the daughter of a wealthy businessman named Gabriel Valcour Aime. Reputedly the richest man in the South – and known as the “Louis XIV of Louisiana” -- Aime gave his daughter the funds to purchase the 1,000 acre St. Joseph Plantation as a wedding gift.
Decades later, the property was sold in a sheriff’s sale following the Civil War. Waguespack’s purchase of the plantation in 1877 began a timeline of family ownership that has continued unbroken to this day. His descendants have traveled from all over the country to lovingly restore St. Joseph Plantation and its outbuildings. The extended families have kept both St. Joseph and its sister plantation, Felicité, thriving since the 19th century. Today, most of the guides giving St. Joseph Plantation tours are family members, who are proud to share this grand and priceless piece of their heritage.
Here, visitors can explore the antique furniture-filled rooms of the main house, the original slave cabins and other dependencies on the grounds. There are interesting exhibits that include tokens used to pay freed slaves who labored here after the Civil War, old farm equipment, and a short film on the sugar cane process. And not surprisingly, with its deep history and idyllic beauty, St. Joseph Plantation has become a popular backdrop for weddings and other special events.
Perhaps the property’s most famous son is H.H. Richardson. Born at what is now St. Joseph Plantation in 1838, he went on to become one of America’s most important architects of the 19th century. Find out more about him, and the many other interesting people who called St. Joseph Plantation “Home” on your next visit here, to New Orleans Plantation Country.
3535 Hwy. 18
Vacherie, LA 70090
United States
See map: Google Maps
Phone:
225-265-4078
Fax:
225-265-4843
Hours:
Tours on the hour. Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (October thru March), 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (April thru September)
Cost:
Adults
$15.00, Youth (13 to 18 years) $7.00, Children (6 to 12 years) $5.00,
Special Discounts for AAA, Military, and Sr. Citizen (65 and over)
$13.00, Groups of 20 or more: Adults $12.00, Youth $6.00, Children $4.00
per person
Weddings:
yes
Groups:
yes
Capacity:
Capacity: 200
Photo Gallery
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Source: Internet
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