Destrahan Plantation is the second plantation I visited in Louisiana. I have been to Oak Alley plantation a few years ago and I really enjoyed learning about the colonial period of Southern history and visiting smaller towns around New Orleans.
Destrahan Plantation was built in 1787 and is one of the old homes and plantations in Louisiana and in the country. Louisiana was still under Spanish rule and the plantation is built in French colonial style.
It was built by Robert Antoine Robin de Logny to support his indigo plantation. He dies in 1792 and as was the custom back then, the property went up for auction. It was purchased by his son-in-law, Jean-Noël Destréhan, as he wanted the property to stay in the family.
Destrahan plantation is situated on 6,000 acres of land but most of the land is covered by swamps.
Jean Noel’s lifetime was a cornerstone of Louisiana History. He was the first Deputy Mayor of New Orleans. Jean Noel helped shape the economic situation of the South when he perfected the granulation of sugar. Jean Noel was active in the political arena all his life and was well respected for his fairness and intelligence. Jean Noel became a driving force in the statehood process and the writing of the territorial and state law for the new state of Louisiana.
Live Oak Trees
The property is surrounded by spectacular live oak trees. The oak trees at Destrahan plantation are "baby oaks". They are only 200 years old and could live up to 600 years old.
The trees are draped in a Spanish moss. Interesting fact is that Spanish people of that time called "Spanish moss" a "Frenchman beard".
Guided tour of the plantation
Our costumed tour guide told us about the Destrahan family, historic events that occurred on the plantation and unique architectural features of the plantation.
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| Together with our tour guide |
Slaves lived in the cabins. The cabin below was home to two slave families.
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| Slave cabin |
Owners of the plantation used rain water from the cistern while the slaves used the water from the well.
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| Cistern |
Kitchen was located in a separate building. The reason for that is to separate the smells coming from the kitchen and to avoid the main house from catching the fire.
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| Kitchen |
Inside the plantation
The plantation was built without a single nail as nails were expensive back then.
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| Kitchen warming |
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| Pantry |
Merchandise from China was very expensive back then and it was displayed for viewing as it was a sign of wealth.
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| Chinese tea set |
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| Lydia's room |
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| Mama's Room |
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| Father's room |
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| Covered patio |
Other blogs about Destrahan plantation I enjoyed reading:
