Laura Plantation
Louisiana
Laura Plantation, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana, is a restored Creole plantation notable for its early 19th-century raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including original slave cabins. Built between 1804 and 1805 by enslaved workers under French naval veteran Guillaume Duparc, the plantation expanded into a large sugarcane estate. The main house features a unique U-shaped design with a raised brick basement and briquette-entre-poteaux construction, and it retains Federal-style interior woodwork and a Norman roof truss. The plantation complex includes six original slave cabins and a maison de reprise, reflecting the lives of enslaved people who lived and worked there until the late 20th century. Laura Plantation is significant for its cultural heritage, including connections to Creole folklore and the family of musician Fats Domino. Today, it serves as a museum interpreting the complex history of Creole plantation life, slavery, and the sugar industry, offering visitors an immersive, authentic experience supported by original antiques and family memoirs.
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Consejo: Visit during spring or fall for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Advance tickets are recommended to secure your preferred tour time. Discounts may be available for seniors, students, and groups. Guided tours provide rich historical context and personal stories, enhancing the experience. The gift shop offers books and memorabilia related to Creole culture and plantation history.
Datos interesantes
- •Laura Plantation is one of only 15 plantation complexes in Louisiana with a large number of original structures intact, including six slave cabins.
- •The plantation is part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, highlighting its importance in African American history.
- •Alcée Fortier collected Louisiana Creole versions of West African Br'er Rabbit stories at Laura Plantation in the 1870s.
- •The plantation was home to the family of U.S. singer-songwriter Fats Domino.
- •Much of the big house was prefabricated off-site, with wooden beams pre-cut and ready for installation.
Historia
Originally settled by Acadian refugees in 1785 on land once inhabited by the Acolapissa Native American village of Tabiscanja, the plantation was established in 1804 by Guillaume Duparc after receiving land through President Thomas Jefferson.
The plantation house was built by enslaved workers in 1804-1805 and expanded over time to include multiple outbuildings and slave quarters.
Before the Civil War, the plantation supported 186 enslaved workers and produced indigo, rice, pecans, and sugarcane.
The complex evolved through the 20th century, with modifications to the house and continued habitation of slave quarters until 1977.
It was later restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its architectural and cultural significance.
Guía del lugar
The Big House1804-1805
The centerpiece of the plantation, built in 1804-1805 with a raised brick basement and briquette-entre-poteaux upper floor. It features Federal-style woodwork and a Norman roof truss, with a U-shaped floor plan of interconnected rooms. The interior is furnished with original antiques and some unrestored areas showing construction methods.
Slave CabinsEarly 19th century
Six original slave cabins remain, historically housing enslaved workers who lived and worked on the plantation. Each cabin accommodated two families with separate entrances and a shared fireplace, along with personal gardens and animal pens nearby.
Maison de Reprise
A secondary house, or mother-in-law cottage, part of the plantation complex that adds to the understanding of family life on the estate.
Contacto
Teléfono: (225) 265-7690
