By far....for me anyway, the most meaningful thing we did while in the New Orleans area was visit the Laura Plantation.
A true Creole plantation as founded by the Duparc family. The Creole plantation houses were distinguishable from the Mississippi river by their bright colors. White plantation houses were noted to be inhabited by English settlers.
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| Front of the raised plantation house. |
One notable feature of this family is that is was the women who ran the family sugar cane business through the centuries. Our tour guide told of one of the early women in the family marrying a French man right off of the boat. Her business arrangement with him was that she would retain all of her property and business holdings. She would also take control of his property and business holdings. What was hers was hers and what was his was to be hers. She began shipping wine, from his family's vineyard in France, straight to her house next to the Mississippi river. Old wine bottles are used for garden edging throughout the property.
The house has retained many family furnishings.
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| Family bedroom |
The grounds of this home are meticulous.
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| French garden given to Laura LoCoul for her birthday. Recreated by the local historical society. |
The house is very, "real". It is not overdone in any movie type of decorating style.
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| Ladies Parlor Please note the authentic sugar chest in front of the window. |
Our guide made special note that we understood that this plantation was run as a family business. Each, "president", as they called themselves chose their next successor. Throughout this family's history, women succeeded women.
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| Family dining room |
The plantation still has several slave cabins in existence and were used for housing until the 1970's. The issue of slavery was addressed during our tour and it was not glossed over. The Code Noir was discussed as well as their harsh daily schedule.
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| Slave quarters |
It was in these slave quarters that the Bre'r Rabbit Tales are said to have come about.
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| "Retirement" home in the rear of the property. |
There is so much to say about this visit, and it truly leaves me at a loss for words, but if you are really interested in the history, and there is a lot of it, I suggest you visit their website here.
And, if you are ever in the area, they do also give daily tours in French :)
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