Historical Southern Antebellum Plantations



Introduction

Over the years, I have thought about adding a 'Southern Plantations' page to this website. Although I have kept up with my photographs over the years- I had yet to convert my film negatives to digital. After a car accident in early 2010, I began to get bored sitting at home recovering. So I began the conversion of my negatives and photographs (where no negatives were found) into my computer. Within these thousands of pictures, I found some of these photographs of plantations. Afterward, I thought it was finally time to document my visits to these places for others to get inspired to take time to see these wonderful places.

As a child, I was fascinated with southern plantations. My wonderful mother would take me to see them in Natchez, Mississippi- as we lived only 2 hours away. As an adult, when I moved back to Mississippi in the mid-1990's- I began making an effort to tour the plantations I always wanted to see.

I have visited most of the plantations in Mississippi and Louisiana- some several times.

The following photographs were taken by me over the last 15 years while visiting plantations across Mississippi and Louisiana.

I have not listed the architectural style of all listed plantations. I have chosen to address their uniqueness and their historical context within history if applicable. Windsor Ruins and Valcour Aime plantations are important historically so I have gone into depth of their history.

In my humble opinion, I have listed the best plantations to see as 'Highly Recommended.'

The best historical plantations to see in Louisiana & Mississippi:



Winsor Ruins

Smith C. Daniell, II, a wealthy cotton planter, owned over 21,000 acres of plantation land in Mississippi and Louisiana. He completed his Greek Revival 4 story mansion with Italianate and Gothic influences in 1861. Surrounding the house were twenty-nine columns of molded red brick and plaster built 30 feet high, which set on paneled stiles. Massive cast iron Corinthian capitals were placed atop each column with elaborately scrolled balustrades. Eight chimneys broke the roofline, drawing smoke from 25 fireplaces with imported marble mantels. Rainwater stored in large tanks in the attic supplied 2 bathrooms.

Central halls divided 23 rooms that included three 19” by 20” rooms on each side of the hallways of the main floors. The full ground basement contained storage rooms, a diary, commissary, doctors office, and a schoolroom. The two residential floors had double parlors, a library, the master suite (consisting of a bedroom, study, and bath), and many bedrooms. A three-story wing on the rear provided kitchen, pantry space, and a dining room. On top of the house was an observatory. From this, Mr. Daniell could see his entire Mississippi plantation and much of his land across the river in Louisiana.

The mansion survived the Civil War, but was destroyed by accidental fire in February 1890. All photographs and drawing of the mansion were lost in the fire. Lt. Henry Otis Dwight, a union soldier in Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s army, drew the shown sketch in 1863.

These standing columns stand as a monument to the disappearance of the Old South. These massive columns are breath-taking to see and very impressive.
Highly Recommended.

Location: Port Gibson, Mississippi- ruins are located 12 miles southwest of Port Gibson on Hwy 552.


This sketch of Windor was drawn in 1863 by Lt. Henry Otis Dwight , a union soldier in Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s army.





Photographs taken June 2002





Afton Villa Gardens

This is all that remains of a mansion built in 1849 that was copied from a chateau in France. It was destroyed by fire in 1963. The ruins have been transformed into a garden where flowers bloom year round. The original gardens that comprised over 20 acres of formal gardens have remained intact and have been resurrected to their original grandeur. I have been visiting these gardens for years...
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.aftonvilla.com/
Location: Hwy. 61, St. Francisville, Louisiana








Photographs taken between 1997 and 2008






Ashlandbelle-Helene Plantation

This plantation house was completed in 1841 in Greek Rivival Style of architecture. Personally, this is my favorite plantation. Sadly, it is closed to the public except for rare openings for pilgrimage tours.
Highly Recommended.

Location: Hwy. 942 (River Road), Geismar, Louisiana

Click here to see an information brochure of Ashlandbelle-Belle Plantation













Attic and ladder to roof

Photographs taken in 1996 and 1998





Nottoway Plantation


This plantation is the largest antebellum plantation house left in the South which contains 64 rooms, 7 staircases, and 5 galleries. This 53,000-square foot plantation home was constructed in 1858.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.nottoway.com/
Location: 31025 Louisiana Highway 1 (off The Great River Road), White Castle, Louisiana

**More Photographs will be available soon**



White Ballroom

Photographs taken between in 1997 and 2003




Oaklawn Manor


This house was built in 1827 on the Irish Bend of Bayou Teche near Franklin, Louisiana. After the Civil War, the house fell into disrepair and was purchased in 1927 by a steamboat captain named C.A. Barbour that admired it from his paddle wheeler on the Teche. Mr. Barbour filled the house with the antiques he had purchased around the world. The movie THE DROWNING POOL (1975) with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward was filmed here. Pictured below are a Venetian chandelier and Napoleon Bonaparte's desk. The house is a private residence and is open for tourist.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.oaklawnmanor.com
Location: 3296 E. Oaklawn Drive, Franklin, Louisiana






Photographs taken around 1996




Rosedown Plantation

This plantation was built in 1835 in only 6 months for Daniel and Martha (Barrow) Turnbull. Daniel Turnbull became one of the richest men in the nation by selling cotton. At one time, Rosedown covered over 3400 acres - most of it in cotton.
While on their honeymoon 6 years earlier, Martha admired the formal gardens in Europe and over the course of decades- the plantation formal gardens grew to 28 acres. Martha Turnbull kept a diary of her gardens for over 60 years.

This is one of the most complete plantations left that contain original furnishings and personal items from the 19th century.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/irosedown.aspx
Location: 12501 Highway 10, St. Francisville, Louisiana

Click here to see a detailed map of Rosedown Plantation










Photographs taken June 2010





Myrtles Plantation

This plantation was completed in 1796 and has been called one of "America's Most Haunted Homes."

Website: http://myrtlesplantation.com/index.html
Location: 7747 U.S. Highway 61, St. Francisville, Louisiana


Photographs taken around 1997




Chretien Point Plantation



This plantation was built in 1831 and is one with an interesting history. The pirate Jean Lafitte was a frequent guest and Civil War battles were fought on the property. Tales of pirates and buried treasure is also part of the plantation's history. The plantation stairway was the inspiration for where Scarlett O'Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND shoots a pillaging Union soldier - a replica of stairway was made for the movie.
Highly Recommended.

Location: 665 Chretien Point Road, Sunset, Louisana

--Plantation closed for restoration--

Click here to see an old brochure from Chretien Point

**Lost photographs from visit - will photograph again**




Cottage Plantation



This plantation was built on a Spanish land grant in 1795. This is one of the more complete plantation complexes left which features a milk house, smoke house, outer kitchen, store room, carriage house, and a law office. I recommend this not for the house tour- but for the outer buildings tour and a brougham carriage in excellent condition in the carriage house. This is the only carriage of this type I have seen in touring many Mississippi and Louisiana plantations over 30 years.

Website: http://www.cottageplantation.com/
Location: 10528 Cottage Lane, St. Francisville, Louisiana








Early nineteenth century creole style mahagony and cherry lolling chair
that is the only known chair to survive with the original leather.

Photographs taken June 2010





Beauregard House



Built around 1834 on the Chalmette Battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1815. The house was used as a country residence in the 19th century and then was sold to the National Park Service in 1949. House and battlefield open for tours daily.
Highly Recommended for those interested in military history.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/malus-beauregard-house.htm - http://www.nps.gov/jela/chalmette-battlefield.htm
Location: 8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, Louisiana


Photograph in early 20th century


Photographs taken May 2005




Oak Alley Plantation



Oak Alley Plantation was completed in 1841 and is famous for the 'oak tree alley' leading to the front of the house. Francois Gabriel 'Valcour' Aime acquired this property and sold it to his brother-in-law Jacques Telesphore in 1836. (See more Aime plantations further down on this page.) This is one of the 'commercialized' plantations that will not let you take pictures inside the house- only of the grounds. (They do sell books that you can purchase of interior photographs.) They do allow photographs of the outside- but only for personal use. The plantation was filmed in the movie INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (1994). This is a popular tourist spot on River Road. I would suggest a tour just to see the beautiful oak trees- but other plantations nearby are more 'authentic' to tour.

Website: http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
Location: 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, Louisiana






L'Hermitage Plantation



This plantation house was named after Andrew Jackson's Tennessee home after his victory in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The owner Michel Bringier was among those that fought with Andrew Jackson in the battle. I found this house tour delightful and interesting in 1998. Tours are available for groups by appointment only.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.hermitageplantation.com/
Location: 38308 Hwy. 942 (River Road), Darrow, Louisiana


**Photographs will be available soon**





Greenwood Plantation



The original plantation house was built around 1830 and burned in 1960. The new owners carefully researched from photographs what the original house looked like and built a new Greenwood in 1984. The movies DRANGO (1957), LOUISIANA (1984), and NORTH AND SOUTH (1985) were filmed here.

Website: http://www.greenwoodplantation.com/
Location: 6838 Highland Road, St. Francisville, Louisiana



Photographs taken 1996





Madewood Plantation House



This plantation was built around 1848 and contains a 70 foot ballroom. The house in now a bed and breakfast with top reviews. There are no tours unless you stay at their bed and breakfast. In the mid 1990's I toured this house when it was used as a private residence- and it was not a very informative tour and it was very short - a complete waste of time. But, it appears things have changed for the better with the bed and breakfast- thankfully!

Website: http://www.madewood.com/
Location: 4250 Highway 308, Napoleanville, Louisiana

**Lost photographs from visit**





Arlington Plantation



This plantation was built around 1855. This home was used as a field hospital in the Civil War in 1863. Tours are by appointment only.

Location: 56 E. Main Street, Franklin, Louisiana

**Lost photographs from visit- New photographs soon**





Butler-Greenwood



This plantation was built in the 1790's and the same family still occupies the house. Many original furnishings are in the house. Today it is a bed and breakfast with quaint cottages.
I visited the bed and breakfast in 1998 it was very nice and quiet there.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.butlergreenwood.com
Location: 8345 US Highway 61, St. Francisville, Louisiana


Bed and Breakfast at the 'Dovecote' windmill cottage
Photographs taken in 1997

**Lost plantation photographs from visit- New photographs soon**





Laura Plantation



This sugarcane Creole plantation was built in 1805. The tour is very educational on Creole traditions and the way of life of all people living on the plantation. The tales of Br'er Rabbit - the American version- is said to have started here. Unique giftshop. Tours Daily.
Highly Recommended.

Location: 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, Louisiana
Website: http://www.lauraplantation.com



Photographs taken around 2000 and July 2010




Shadows-on-the-Teche



This house was built between 1831 and 1834. What is remarkable about this plantation is that the family that built this left over 17,000 documents such as receipts, business letters, and personal letters.

Website: http://shadowsontheteche.wordpress.com/
Location: 317 E. Main Street, New Iberia, Louisiana

**Lost photographs from visit**





Houmas House



This plantation house was built in 1828 and named after the Houmas Indians who use to live there. The movie HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (1963) was filmed here and the room Bette Davis stayed in has been preserved is part of the tour.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.houmashouse.com
Location: 40136 Hwy. 942, Darrow, Louisiana

Click here to see an old brochure from Houmas House


Photographs taken 1998




Waverly Plantation



This plantation is estimated to be built around 1852 and is unique with an interior central rotunda. Another unique feature was the third circular floor is one continuous space with no windows. This 'trunk room' was used for storage and was useful when guest came overnight. The plantation contained gardens, orchards, livestock, a brick kiln, cotton gin, ice house, lumber mill, leather tannery and hat manufacturing operation. It stood in disrepair for over 50 years- then was bought and lovingly restored. Tours daily.
High Recommended.

Telephone: (662) 494-1399
Location: 1852 Waverly Mansion Road - Off Hwy. 50 between Columbus and West Point, Mississippi



Photographs taken May 2007




Evergreen Plantation



This was originally built as a Creole house around 1790 and in 1832 the outside was changed into a Greek-Revival style house as it is today. What is impressive and rare about this property is the original slave quarters are still intact and in very good shape. The house tour is fair- not much to see really- no original furniture and since it is a private residence- no photographs can be taken inside. (There isn't much to photograph of great importance anyway.) This property is a working sugar cane plantation and has many original building left- but you only tour the main house, kitchen, and one slave quarter house.

Website: http://www.evergreenplantation.org/index.htm
Location: 4677 Hwy. 18, Edgard, Louisiana





Photographs taken June 2010





Valcour Aime Plantation



Francois Gabriel 'Valcour' Aime built this plantation in 1799. What made this property unique was the 12 acres of English Gardens that was created by an European landscape architect and a Napoleonic fort was built. This plantation grew fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers from all over the world. While growing sugar cane, he experimented with techniques for refining sugar and was one of the only planters who refined sugar directly from cane juice on site. His wealth grew into the millions and he was labeled 'Louis XIV of Louisiana.' The house was sadly destroyed by fire in 1920.

Location: Hwy. 18, Vacherie, Louisiana

Click here to see a brochure of Valcour Aime Plantation

Click here to read first hand account of a visit to this plantation in March 1847



Photographs taken July 2010





St. Joseph Plantation



This Creole Plantation has been owned by the same family for the last 130 years and is still a working sugar cane plantation to this day. It was originally built in 1830 by the Scioneaux family and Francois Gabriel 'Valcour' Aime purchased this plantation as a wedding gift for his daughter Josephine. Original buildings (dependencies) still exist on propery such as the kitchen, blacksmith shop, and slave cabins. Tour includes Francois Gabriel 'Valcour' Aime family history and includes an interesting film of how sugar cane is harvested and manufactured. The St. Joseph Plantation Store was open until 1990's- and was the last remaining plantation store on River Road. Unique giftshop. Tours daily.
High Recommended.

Website: http://www.stjosephplantation.com/index.html
Location: 3535 Highway 18, Vacherie, Louisiana





Photographs taken July 2010







Felicity Plantation



This home was built in 1850 with dowry money for Felicity Aime (Josephine’s sister of St. Joseph Plantation ~ and daughter of Gabriel Valcour Aime), when she married Septime Fortier. The house was a private residence until mid 1990's. Now the house is undergoing a massive restoration and in the future will be open for tours. The movie THE SKELETON KEY (2005) was filmed here.

Location: Highway 18, Vacherie, Louisiana (home before St. Jospeh Plantation)


Photographs taken July 2010





Walter Place



This mansion was completed in 1859. What makes this house unique is the massive medieval Gothic towers on each side of the house. This house is open for tourist- but it only once a day at 1 pm.

Website: http://walterplace.com/index.html
Location: 300 West Chulahoma Avenue, Holly Springs, Mississippi


Photographs taken May 2007





Destrehan Plantation



Destrehan Plantation was built in 1787 and is the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley. There is an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to the first plantation owner on display as part of the tour. This plantation was filmed in the movie INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (1994). This is a very interesting tour and there are demonstrations daily that include open hearth cooking, indigo dyeing, and candle making.
Highly Recommended.

Website: http://www.destrehanplantation.org
Location: 13034 River Road, Destrehan, Louisiana






Interior of Slave Quarter House on property (not original)


Indigo Plant

Photographs taken June 2010

**More plantations to be added**





Natchez, Mississippi Plantations


Click here for more on Natchez Plantations










All about Southern Belles...

History of Southern Cooking & Recipes

Southern Sayings Page

Gallery Page- All about Ashlandbelle

My experience with Hurricane Katrina...





Any comments or suggestions-
please leave message in my guestbook and an email address for contact.

View my Guestbook
Free Guestbooks by Bravenet.com