Louisiana’s River Road is one of the most scenic byways in the
United States, a lush landscape dominated by mossy oaks, sprawling
sugar cane fields, crumbling frame cottages, small towns and
Byzantine petrochemical refineries. Every so often an antebellum
mansion rises like a multi-level wedding cake near the banks of the
Mississippi River.
It is here, along River Road, where clients can experience some of
the finest remaining plantation architecture in the country. Any
visitor to the general area should make the trip. Few thoroughfares
in America are as steeped in history and culture. Besides,
Louisiana plantation country is easy to get to, impossible to get
lost on and less than an hour from the French Quarter.
Louisiana’s plantation houses are priceless American heirlooms, not
just because they’re endangered, but for their stories. These
gorgeous white-pillared mansions are haunted by the historical myth
of the Old South.
Many plantation tours make an effort to highlight the daily life of
slaves. Still others romanticize about white columns, hoop skirts,
mint juleps and steamboats. Regardless, they can all be
worthwhile.
Some plantation sites are open to the public as house museums or
bed and breakfast accommodations or both. Others can only be viewed
from the road. Here is a partial list of newly opened and
long-standing plantation sites that are open to the general
public:
St. Joseph Plantation, which opened for visitors
in October of 2004, is a raised Creole plantation house built by a
French planter in 1820. Long rows of sugar cane are still
cultivated on the property; the house’s first floor is a sugar cane
museum. Tokens issued to freed slaves to buy goods at the
plantation store are on display.
www.stjosephplantation.com
Evergreen Plantation has been open to the public
since August of 2004. Built in 1832, Evergreen is one of only eight
major Greek Revival-style plantation houses remaining on River
Road. A double row of intact wooden slave cabins aligns a road
shrouded by moss-draped oaks. Swamp tours and plantation tours are
offered.
www.evergreenplantation.com
An electrical fire last August decimated Laura
Plantation’s trademark red roof, inflicting severe damage
to the interior and exterior of the 1805 raised French Creole
plantation house. Despite the damage, Laura’s spirit is
undiminished and tours have proceeded uninterrupted. Laura
Plantation set the gold standard several years ago with its
interpretation of slave life. Its no-holds-barred approach to the
discussion has influenced the way plantations have interpreted what
remains a thorny issue.
www.lauraplantation.com
Oak Alley Plantation, built in 1837, is known the
world over for its virtual tunnel of live oaks that predates the
house by about one hundred years. Oak Alley is a luxurious
plantation with antebellum rental cottages, featuring central air
and heat, microwaves and coffee makers. A gourmet restaurant serves
up shrimp and okra gumbo, chicken and sausage jambalaya, and
crawfish etouffee, among other Southern delights.
www.oakalleyplantation.com
Contact the city of New Orleans for a listing of tour operators,
accommodations and restaurants.
800-203-2144
www.neworleansonline.com
