go above and beyond these other six slave owners by owning over twice as many. Slaves worked from dawn to dusk to make the lives of their enslavers and their children easier. . 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. Bring your students for a tour of Whitney Plantation. This plantation saw around 400 slaves move through this plantation over a 52-year period., At the height of operations just before the Civil War, 186 people were enslaved here.This included the children of the masters, who despite a mixed race appearance were still considered enslaved. With tears welling in my eyes, I looked down at the low-hanging limbs of the old oaks and felt the words of Billie Holidays Strange Fruit echo through my head. 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. Wade Hampton, a Virginian who arrived in 1850, purchased the land for the plantation in 1810. [citation needed] The return of good harvests in Europe along, with the newly cleared and planted land in the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley and improvements in transportation, resulted in a collapse in agricultural prices that caused the 1818-19 depression. The Whitney Plantation is owned by John Cummings, who purchased it in 2000. 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. Had been Francis Routh's cotton plantation; and the land is now part of the. 83000554. [citation needed] The Year without a summer of 1816 resulted in famine in Europe and a wave of immigration to the U.S., with New Orleans being the destination of many refugees. Freedom's Journal, the first black-owned newspaper, appeared in . Pictures of the famous Oak Alley Plantation grace nearly every page when talking about Louisiana Plantations. You get to follow the story of Kid Ory, born at this plantation in 1886 and his rise to fame (including finding Louis Armstrong). In the 1830s and 1840s, other areas around Bayou Lafourche, Bayou Teche, Pointe Coupee, and Bayou Sara, and the northern parishes also emerged as sugar districts despite the risk of frost damage. In 1830, the family owned nearly eight percent of the slaves in Natchitoches Parish. The Napoleonic Wars and the Embargo Act of 1807 restricted European trade, which did not recover until the end of the War of 1812 in 1815. It is one of Louisianas best plantations. "Enterrements, 1793-1796 [Etc. A 2002 study of Creole building practices showed that there was no evidence of African traditions in the architecture. 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. September tends to be their hurricane season. The Whitney Plantation, a notable example of the slave trade, is an excellent example. One of these women, LauraLocoul Gore, is where much of the history of the plantation has come from. Thousands were smuggled from Africa and the Caribbean through the illegal slave trade. The land was granted to Louis Metoyer, who had the "Big House" built beginning about 1832. In 1795, there were 19,926 enslaved Africans and 16,304 free people of color in Louisiana. L'Union . This park, which is privately funded, is popular with tourists. On 22 March 1847, the Louis Metoyer plantation was struck off at $8,340 to the highest bidder, the French Crole brothers Hypolite Hertzog and Henry Hertzogwith the latter acting as agent for his sister Jeanne Fanny (Widow Dassize) Bossier. These two plantations, built in the early 1800s along the Louisiana River Road, are excellent examples of grand plantations. 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. Construction began on the "Big House" at Melrose before the 11 March 1832 death of Louis Metoyer. Sam Houston visited while in the area soliciting funds for his Texas army. I found myself thinking about what she had to say days after we left and telling the story of what we heard to many friends and family members. They raised horses, oxen, mules, cows, sheep, swine, and poultry. Whitney Plantation educates the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. As the children of a French-American father and African mother, Louis and his siblings were considered multiracial "Croles of color." Because of the harsh nature of plantations from labor to punishment enslaved people resisted their captivity by running away. He gave the property the name Melrose, by which it is still known. They couldnt, they were illiterate and couldnt write, and signed their names with an X. This is a very moving and unique tour that may be disturbing to those sensitive to the history of slaves. 1825-1830 by Antoine Gosserand. The Africa House, a unique, nearly square structure with an umbrella-like roof which extends some 10 feet beyond the exterior walls on all four sides, may be of direct African derivation. The shed reminded me eerily of the torture chambers I saw while in Auschwitz. Wonderful, deep, passionate and rigorous depiction of a plantation from a slaves perspective. Located at Patterson Street and Merrill Street, and noted for its productive truck gardens. The most famous plantation in Louisiana is the Oak Alley Plantation. Before boarding the ships the slaves were stripped of clothing, shaved their heads, and put into compartments 4.5 feet tall. Remodeled by Architect James Dakin 1837. Metoyer. But it was more than an experience. The majority of black inmates were subleased to land owners to replace slaves while others continued levee, railroad, and road construction. Even in death slaves were often auctioned off to medical schools for dissection, continuing their slavery, even in death. You want to eat any and all seafood dishes here! Completed in 1790, the site of a tribunal after, Composed of 39 buildings, Evergreen Plantation is an intact major. Whitney Plantation is the only former plantation site in Louisiana that is entirely dedicated to the subject of slavery. [15] The Hertzogs and Bossier then operated a cotton plantation, in partnership, until 1880. It was safer and produced a higher-quality sugar, but it was expensive to implement and only the wealthiest plantation owners could afford it before the Civil War. The largest family of free black planters and merchants outside of New Orleans was the Metoyer family of Natchitoches Parish, which intermarried with other black planters. Nestled on River Road in Vacherie, Louisiana, the Laura Plantation is ranked by TripAdvisor as having the number one plantation tour on River Road and the best history tour in the United States by Lonely Planet. During the Spanish period (1763-1803), Louisianas plantation owners grew wealthy from the production of indigo. I am a huge supporter of long term travel, but if arent retired yet (like me) then I would say a week at minimum to truly explore, learn and connect to the incredible culture in the Parishes. If you dont like the crowds, then try for October to January. Rental Car, no but or shared van services as it ispretty remote, Grayline bus tours and services do come out and take you on swamp and plantation tours. My husband and I are well travelled and found the tour guide one of the best we have had in the world. Please request Susan. St. Franois parish (Natchitoches), Book 11: entry 1821-#20; published in E. S. Mills. Generations of Africans and their descendants were enslaved here to establish and maintain indigo, rice, and sugar crops. See hidden cafes, statues, museums, and more! There are seven different languages spoken in Louisiana including English, French, French Creole, Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, Hungarian and Croatian. However, Antoine had married well back in the 1830s. "Grif" was the racial designation used for their children. 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. To shoot both her Deja Vue video and album inserts for Bday, Beyonce chose this plantation. Reservations are not required! Natchitoches Parish, La., Deed Book 33:133, recorded 22 March 1847. In 1817, plantation owners began planting ribbon cane, which was introduced from Indonesia. Discover the UNESCO heritage Dubrovnik City Walls with our comprehensive guide. Amid the financial depression that followed the Panic of 1837, the mother and son fell heavily into debt. Tour guides provide an overview of the history of the Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery. That's the conclusion of decades of research by historian and genealogist Antoinette Harrell, who described . Because of the nature of sugar production, enslaved people suffered tremendously in South Louisiana. Plantation heiress and manager Laura Lacoul Gore's (1861-1963) autobiography tells the family's history and her experience living at the plantation. [citation needed] Cloth, shoes, and clothing were imported from Europe and from the Northeast U.S.[citation needed], The self-sufficiency of plantations and cheap slave labor hindered economic development of the South. In order to create the dye, enslaved workers had to ferment and oxidize the indigo plants in a complicated multi-step process. Plantation owners, both white and black, lost huge sums of money. The oak trees that lead visitors to the main house are over 300 years old. Black Indians in the United States List of plantations in Louisiana Louisiana African American Heritage Trail Whitney Plantation Historic District, first museum in the U.S. dedicated to slavery Solomon Northup, author of Twelve Years a Slave (1853) Delphine LaLaurie (d. 1849), infamous for abuse of her French Quarter mansion's slaves On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Cypress Trees, Sugar Cane, Satsuma trees (seedless easy to peel orange trees). ], burial date 1 October 1838. It is important to understand the history of the area before you can understand the incredible culture of the Louisiana River Parishes. The Mississippi River levee is in the background. Despite the fact that the plantation is meticulously maintained, the raw emotion of the place is unmistakable; it is a testament to slaverys enduring legacy and the impact it has had on American history. Here are the best places to eat in Riga Latvia if you are looking for classic dishes, unique experiences, and flavors that will BLOW YOUR MIND! In 2008, the state included Melrose Plantation among the first 26 sites on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. Sugar production skyrocketed after the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and a large influx of enslaved people to the territory, including thousands brought from Saint Domingue (Haiti). This plantation is particularly interesting to me since it is: As a result, the hotel is now owned by the government. The Africans enslaved in Louisiana came mostly from Senegambia, the Bight of Benin, the Bight of Biafra, and West-Central Africa. [10] Augustin Metoyer and his brother Louis were notable for founding and building the St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church in Natchez, Louisiana, the first in the state built by free people of color. Laura lived to be over 100 years old, and went from being the owner of slaves, to witnessing the Civil Rights Movement before she died. 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. There are numerous ghost stories associated with the plantation. They also have graveyard tours in the fall where actors play out their lives near the graves of those they represent. How songs Kid Ory wrote, note for note, were stolen and made famous during Woodstock. Many of the state's amazing antebellum mansions remain intact, and are meticulously maintained and furnished with beautiful period pieces. 91001046. "Documenting a Slave's Birth, Parentage, and Origins (Marie Thrse Coincoin, 17421816): A Test of 'Oral History',", Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Everyone who visits the Whitney Plantation, located on the west bank of the Mississippi less than an hour's drive from New Orleans on Louisiana's historic River Road, receives a similar card . House destroyed by fire in 1963. Many of these plantations offer tours of the historic homes and grounds, as well as opportunities to learn about the plantations history and the people who lived and worked there. U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, St. Augustine Parish (Isle Brevelle) Church, List of National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana, National Register of Historic Places listings in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, "Alexandria Realtor Robert Wolf dies at age of 85", History of the National Register of Historic Places, List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by state, List of jails and prisons on the National Register of Historic Places, University and college buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places portal, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melrose_Plantation&oldid=1138732672, Museums in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana, Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana, National Register of Historic Places in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, Articles using NRISref without a reference number, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with dead external links from June 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 08:12. It gives you insight into the Slave Revolt of 1811, as the Destrehan Plantation was where three tribunals condemned 45 of the 200 slaves were beheaded for killing 2 white plantation owners. Only one home can be used as an overnight residence: Nottoway Plantation. Firstly, the different parishes in the River Parishes are St Charles Parish, St James Parish, and St John the Baptist Parish. [16], Analysis of glass and nails from the site confirms three major periods of occupancy of Yucca House, c. 18071821, c. 1874-1888 (renovation likely after the 1884 purchase by Joseph Henry), and c. 1916-1930 (renovation by Henry's son John and his wife Carmelite "Miss Cammie" Henry). She spoke from a very informed place, and didn't gloss over the horrors of slavery and how it funded this country's start. A few free blacks also owned slave holding plantations in Louisiana, Virginia, and South Carolina. 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. Italianate and Greek Revival home, built about 1846. Guillaume Duparc died three years after buying the property, so Nanette who strongly resembled a Native American began ruling over the slaves with an iron fist, as she was irritated with being left to run a plantation when what she really wanted was to move to a chteau in France. 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. Once it was fully separated, enslaved workers drained the water, leaving the indigo dye behind in the tank. Although not legally freed by his white father until 1802, Metoyer evaded Louisiana's Code Noir that prohibited enslaved men from being granted land. Whitney Plantation is the only former plantation site in Louisiana with an exclusive focus on slavery. People enjoy looking at pretty houses, which are more similar to European castles than our own. There is always a party happening in Louisiana no matter what time of year it is. In this early period, European indentured servants submitted to 36-month contracts did most of the work clearing land and laboring on small-scale plantations. Oak Alley is one of Louisianas best plantations and one of the most recognizable of the historic mansions along the River Road. Gardens are lined with sculptures, fountains, and flowering plants. During the Civil War, a Union gunboat nearly sank Nottoway. After her daughters read Gone with the Wind, and asked her if that was how plantation life really was. Private tours with less than 10 people must pay for 10 people in addition to the $25 closed-day fee. Our tour guide Ali was amazing and very knowledgeable. Many visitors to the southern United States adore New Orleans because of its vibrant, colorful, and culturally rich culture. Enslaved people kept a tenuous grasp on their families, frequently experiencing the loss of sale. Enslaved people often escaped and became maroons in the swamps to avoid deadly work and whipping. Joe Jaeger, a black man who owns and directs the hotel, is the owner and director. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. The artistic representation of slave children, adult slaves, and the beheaded slaves from the 1811 Slave Revolt really bring the stories to life, and help you to realize that humans were traded like animals and objects. This process could take up to a day and a half, and it was famously foul-smelling. In the early 1800s, many free blacks in Louisiana owned plantations and slaves. While this plantation focuses a lot on the 1811 slave revolt, Diannes tour gives you a glimpse into the culture of the slaves at the time. 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