Laura plantation is a restored historic louisiana creole plantation on the west bank of the mississippi river near vacherie, louisiana u. The gift shop has displayed some books about the area and related subjects. Laura plantation images and impressions by william guion, zoe company, inc. Vacherie, louisiana laura plantation louisianastories. The tour guide said that laura gore wrote about plantation life after gone with the wind was released because her life on the planation was not like scarlet oharas. Dec 16, 2017 the laura plantation is a must do on your list of plantation tours. Enslaved families remembered at laura plantation creolegen. New orleans oak alley and laura plantation tour youtube. Laura plantation the frenchcreole parents and family of new orleans own singersongwriter fats domino known for blueberry hill and my favorite walking to new orleans had lived on the plantation. One such inheritor was the woman we know as laura locoul gore.
The 7 best new orleans plantation tours travel us news. We encourage you to use our overnight cottages as your home away from home, offering all the creative comforts of your own home. Laura locoul gores memoir, memories of the old plantation home, provided much of what is known about life on laura plantation. Tour laura plantation, a creole plantation in vacherie louisiana. World of the bayou and the plantation the new york times. Laura plantation a sugar plantation built in 1805 duration. Apr 26, 2011 laura plantation is a creole plantation in vacherie, louisiana. Laurel valley plantation in lafourche parish, louisiana. The 7 best new orleans plantation tours more with a tour from new orleans kayak swamp tours, travelers could visit one of three plantations, including oak. Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour you would like to attend and allow 90 minutes for your visit. The earliest structures on the property date to the 1830s. The plantation house was nearly destroyed by fire back in 2003, but it was rebuilt to the original design using building materials from antique homes that was disassembled and sold off in pieces. Laura plantation was built and operated by four creole women.
I love new orleans, but the laura plantation tour was the highlight of the trip. The home is open for tours daily, except for creole holidays new years, mardi gras, easter, thanksgiving, and christmas. Laura plantation is a restored historic louisiana creole plantation on the west bank of the mississippi river near vacherie, louisiana, u. French, creole, african, and american family members all played a part in the history told by the last creole plantation owner, laura locoul gore, in her 1936 memoir, memories of the old plantation home. There is a fee for admission and groups are encouraged to call. A visit to the laura plantation moose lake star gazette. Go beyond the myths of the american south and explore the complex and intimate relationships of 4 generations of one louisiana creole family, both free and enslaved at laura. Located just an hour from new orleans on the great river road, laura plantation was founded in 1804 and provides a vivid window into louisianas creole past.
Today, these buildings not only house some of the most bonechilling and history filled tours, but they will also take your breath away with their timeless beauty. Through intimate, firsthand accounts, explore the lives of four generations of one louisiana creole family, both free. The plantation was run by four creole women, most notable, was laura, from where the plantation gets its name. Laura plantation, 2247 highway 18, vacherie, 504 2657690, about 45 minutes to an hours drive southeast of baton rouge, is open 9 a. Through intimate, firsthand accounts, explore the lives of four generations of one louisiana creole family, both free and enslaved, in biographical detail. Pass through a tunnel of 300yearold oak trees that ornament the main drive. If youre looking for one of the top plantation tours new orleans offers the start by celebrating louisianas varied and historically unique culture with the laura plantation bus tour which gives a detailed glimpse into the lives of four generations of creole sugarcane farmers. Lauren book is the democrat we need fighting for our county and for our values. Have your passport ready to enter the world of creole louisiana and experience what has been called the best history tour in the u. Media in category laura plantation the following 28 files are in this category, out of 28 total.
In the late 1700s, the plantation became the property of the dupare family and was divided between two family members in 1876. Cabin at laura plantation the information amassed on the families at laura are a genealogists goldmine and are an example of the narratives which can be woven through exhaustive research. Sep 05, 2014 laura plantation was painted in colors that were popular at that time. Laura plantation tour new orleans swamp, city, katrina tours. Mar 05, 2000 in 1936, laura locoul gore compiled an account of nearly 100 years of life on a louisiana sugar plantation named after her. Louisianas creole heritage site is focused on the generations of a real louisiana creole family, both free and enslaved, and highlights the legacy of the plantation within a larger historical and cultural context. Excellent tour of laura plantation read the book ahead of time. Apr 20, 2019 i toured the laura house plantation in louisiana and was interested in the st. Guided tours offered every 40 minutes starting at 10am with the final tour each day beginning at 4pm. Discover four generations of creole history at the laura plantation with an informative tour of this wellpreserved estate. Laura plantation plan your visit to a louisiana creole.
If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Take a trip to either oak alley or laura plantation on this 4hour tour from new orleans. It was class and not race that determined social status in creole louisiana. Alcee fortier was said to have collected louisiana creole versions of the west african brer rabbit stories here in the 1870s. The laura plantation tour near new orleans is considered by many in the tour industry as the best historical plantation tour in the mississippi valley. Laura stands in the heart of new orleans plantation country.
Louisianas creole heritage site was established in 1805. A signing and reception will alsobe held at the old governors mansion dec. Haunted louisiana plantations that take your breath away. Buy tickets buy tickets for your chosen cultural tour experience at laura plantation online. The 9hour tour starts with pickup from your french quarter and downtown new orleans hotel and includes lunch at a cajun restaurant. Louisiana architecture influenced by trendy european styles. Your guide is also the driver and will be narrating all of the destinations that you and your group will visit. Learn about those who ruled the sugarcane plantation and those who worked here in bondage.
I toured the laura house plantation in louisiana and was interested in the st. Laura plantation has taken great care in not only renovating the grounds, but also uncovering the true and at times, devastating history of the plantation s family and slaves. Laura was presented as a 12,000acre sugar plantation run by four women from a single creole family for nearly a century. We toured both oak alley and the laura plantation and my kids said laura was their favorite. Experience oak alley plantation, laura plantation, lunch at a cajun restaurant, and a swamp tour in the same day on this full day tour combo tour. Youll hear all sides of the story, thoughtfully and respectfully recounted within the confines of the plantation. Laura plantation, louisiana sophies world travel inspiration. This creole plantation tour is based upon 5,000 pages of documents found in the french national archives and upon lauras memories of the old plantation home, in which she details 250 years of truelife stories of the creole women, children and. Due to the homes historic nature, access to the second floor the main living quarters is.
Mar 02, 2017 after years of research, laura plantation in vacherie has a permanent new exhibit on the history of slavery at the plantation. The women ran the plantation over 60 years, using slave labor. Laura plantation and oak alley cruise excursion in new orleans. South louisiana writer and photographer william guions photographs and personal. Laura is widely acclaimed for the success of her novel series, the tea shop mysteries, in particular. Slavery on laura plantation, offers a unique, indepth view of the lives and histories of the enslaved individuals who lived there. The land grant for the dupree plantation laura plantation guillaome duparc is given a land grant from the spanish in thanks for his time serving in the anglospanish war. Reservations are mandatory for groups of 20 visitors. Lauras new, permanent exhibit examines in biographical detail the lives of africans on the plantation, from enslavement into the 20th century. The exhibit, titled from the big house to the quarters.
Laura plantation is located on river road midway between baton rouge and new orleans. Dark past of the plantation revealed at slave quarters. From laura plantation, head west to oak alley plantation. Explore the creole laura plantation, known for its historic representation of slave plantations. Laura plantation sits on acres now and its still surrounded by sugarcane that continues to be grown in this area. Formerly known as duparc plantation, it is significant for its early 19thcentury creolestyle raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including six slave quarters. Excellent tour of laura plantationread the book ahead of. Scenic drive with beautiful antebellum mansions to admire. The tour, led by al, was very informative and explained the differences between english and creole plantations. During that time, laura plantation, which began as a french colony, became part of the united states, survived the civil war, and experienced the jim crowe years. A tranquil retreat in the heart of plantation country.
Drive out to laura plantation to enjoy the best history tour in the u. Formerly known as duparc plantation, it is significant for its early 19thcentury creolestyle raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including two slave cabins. As you stroll past the site where the laura plantation sugar mill once stood, learn about the backbreaking work the slaves performed, and hear about the origins of the famous brer rabbit stories. Home, provided much of what is known about life on laura plantation. The plantation dates back to 1805 and is named after one of its owners.
It is centered on the family of laura plantation, a creole sugar plantation just west of new orleans. See what patients have to say about laura coppee, a highly rated physical therapist in plantation, fl. Based on 5,000 pages of documents from the french national archives that are related to both the free and enslaved families who liv. On january 12, 1893 laurel valley plantation village was again sold at a public auction. Xplorit virtual tour discover laura plantation with one of the most comprehensive, completely immersive and interactive virtual. Memories of the old plantation home invites the reader into the world of creole louisiana.
Laura plantation is located 35 miles from new orleans. Walk through the stunning gardens of oak alley shaded by its enormous live oaks before heading just down the road for one of the most highlyrated history tours. Surround yourself in the elaborate setting of oak alley plantation and understand the sobering history at laura plantation on a tour from new orleans. I have not read the book yet, but i recently visited the plantation in question and the books were on sale there for half the price i paid and i found the story of laura. As soon as i returned home i ordered memories of the old plantation home, and now i want to go back to nola to seek more of the familys history.
Embark on an epic 2 plantation combo with an optional lunch at both houmas house and laura plantation. New book by william guion offers a poetic vision of the unique creole. The name laura childs is actually a pseudonym used by author gerry schmitt for writing her novels. The tours and lauras memoirs deliver a compelling and dramatic look inside 100 years of life on this louisiana sugar plantation. Mar 01, 2017 laura plantation was originally called lhabitation duparc, after guillaume duparc 17521808, the frenchborn patriot of the american revolution, who is the progenitor of the four successive generations of duparcs and locouls who owned laura until 1891. A creole plantation has a rich and unique history, from the home itself to the stories of the women who ran it. Based on the plantation memoirs of laura lacoul, a young creole girl who grew up on the plantation, the tour narration centers on the charmed and tragic lives of this sugar plantations women, slaves, and children. Sep 20, 1998 laura plantation, 2247 highway 18, vacherie, 504 2657690, about 45 minutes to an hours drive southeast of baton rouge, is open 9 a. Laura plantation was originally called lhabitation duparc, after guillaume duparc 17521808, the frenchborn patriot of the american revolution, who is the progenitor of the four successive generations of duparcs and locouls who owned laura until 1891. Each of these sites has a long, colorful history that youll learn about as you admire the lush gardens and broad cane fields on this new orleans plantation tour. First, at houmas house, stroll through 12 acres of breathtaking gardens and enjoy the waterlily pond, fountains, sculptures, bridges, and dual gentlemans quarters. Political advertisement paid for and approved by lauren book, democrat, for state senate, district 32. We are easily accessible to the major cities of new orleans 50 miles, baton rouge 50 miles, houma 40 miles and lafayette 100 miles for venturing out to. Four book signings will take place at laura plantation in concurrence with four special christmas candlelit house tours on dec.
As you walk through the house, banana grove, garden, and slave quarters, youll catch a glimpse of the plantation as it would have looked over 200 years ago, complete with furnishings of the period and photos of its original residents. With a strong history of standing up for children and those who have no voice, lauren is exactly the right person at exactly the right time. The creole culture is a blending of three different influences. Laura plantation sugar plantation with a layered history. At one time laura encompassed 12,000 acres and the primary crop was sugarcane. Oak alley plantation was built in 1837 and has 28 evenly spaced oaks that line a 14 mile path from river road to the plantation house. There are additional attractions on the grounds including a restaurant, cafe and gift shop. Louis, missouri, details the daily life and major events of the inhabitants, both free and enslaved, of the plantation that she and her female fore bearers ran. Laura plantation and oak alley tour get transported back to the 19th century as you visit two historic new orleans plantations, laura plantation and oak alley plantation. The land on which laura plantation stands was originally owned by andre neau, who obtained it through a french royal land grant in 1755. In 1936, laura locoul gore compiled an account of nearly 100 years of life on a louisiana sugar plantation named after her. In addition to the duparcs and the locouls, laura was inhabited and worked by just as many generations of enslaved people of west african.
In addition to the duparcs and the locouls, laura was inhabited and worked by just as. We visited the laura plantation while in new orleans and also stayed at the olivier house hotel that was the home of her grandmother elizabeth lacoul that laura visited as a young girl. It is listed on the national register of historic places. Louisianas creole heritage site can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot. An entire book was written about this lady in an autobiography titled. It is a very interesting first hand account of planation life. Or head further down to oak alley plantation and stroll around the 300year old oak trees that cover the plantation grounds with a 40minute guided tour. The bulk of the book is the memoirs of laura locoul gore, who, born into the family and the business, chose to leave it for the world of the man she loved. Laurel valley sugar plantation is located in thibodaux, louisiana.
A creole plantation, a major sugar plantation located on the banks of the mississippi river, just one hour from new orleans. Your admission includes a 70minute tour with a knowledgeable guide who. Located near new orleans, this historic site is open daily for tours. Louisianas creole heritage site will bring stories of past generations to life, revealing the lives of the slaves and the people who owned them here in louisiana creole country. The plantation was owned by joseph tucker, a virginian, who bought more than 50,000 acres of land along bayou lafourche. This plantation is known for its massive collection of antiques, artworks, and. Louisianas creole heritage site tickets and tours on tripadvisor. A creole plantation built in 1805 with 12 original buildings and the slave quarters where american brer rabbit tales were first recorded.
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