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Despite the national economic depression and decline in plantation life, “The Gentlemen” stood as a reminder of a more opulent time. The 24 stately trees leading from the river to the house continued to stand guard and provide cooling breezes. John Burnside, 48 years old when he acquired the Houmas, immediately began enlarging his holdings and purchasing other sugar plantations along the Mississippi River. In a very short time he was dubbed “The Sugar Prince,” by attaining the largest sugar empire in the South. Along with his properties on the Mississippi, Burnside also purchased the largest estate in the City of New Orleans, then known as the Robb Mansion.
What Is a Cupola and Does It Actually Have a Purpose?
In fact the plantation — once called “the crown jewel of Louisiana’s River Road” had lost its luster and fallen into disrepair in the 1990s. Here are two of the ghostly tales that reveal why the Houmas House is definitely a haunted Louisiana plantation. Along with deep ties to the land comes stories passed down from generation to generation.
Tour the Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road!
Houmas House has a museum and 3 restaurants on the grounds, so it’s a great way to spend the day. The Houmas House has elegant architecture, captivating gardens, and a wealth of attractions, a visit to this enchanting estate offers an immersive journey into the past. It was a working sugarcane plantation by 1803, when the United States obtained the area through the Louisiana Purchase.
The Inn at Houmas House and Gardens
The gardens at Houmas House are a true feast for the senses. From the stunning collection of azaleas and camellias to the tranquil koi ponds and fountains, the gardens offer a serene escape into nature’s beauty. The lush flora and meticulously designed landscapes create a picturesque setting that is ideal for leisurely strolls and quiet contemplation. After our museum visit we packed up and took a view of the river before hitting the road home. After the amazing tour we enjoyed a sunset stroll through the gardens. The Gardens truly are stunning and cover such a vast area.
The 38-acre property was even better with these talented musicians playing a variety of genres, such as zydeco and big band. Houmas House is a masterclass in horticulture, providing an opportunity to learn and appreciate the wonders of nature. The house is a stunning symmetrical antebellum structure featuring wrap-around decks on two floors, Federal arched dormers, majestic columns, and a decorative widow’s walk. Its allure is captivating, inspiring the desire to step inside or capture its beauty through the lens. Sign up for special tips, offers, and info about all the latest happenings around NOLA with our monthly Insider’s Guide, delivered right to your inbox.
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Plantation owner offers to pay $1M to house Confederate monuments on his property - WDSU New Orleans
Plantation owner offers to pay $1M to house Confederate monuments on his property.
Posted: Thu, 03 May 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
There are water features in each courtyard, with fish ponds and plant life. After we got all settled in we went for a stroll through the gardens. It was amazing to see so many different garden areas with a variety of sculptures, water features, plants and historic artifacts.
Little Girl Spotted By Houmas House Work Crew
According to McAlester, traditional detailings were common additions to these more modern homes, including the use of decorative, rather than functional, cupolas. This unique plantation definitely has plenty of history and lore that has been passed down for generations. The estate also had a formal English garden with a central walkway, as well as carriage pathways meandering off through the older oaks. But when the renovated house opened to the public, sightings of the little girl began again. Both guides and guests have seen her and say she seems curious about all the activity. In the hustle and bustle of bringing the house back to life and opening it up to the public, the mystery of the little girl was forgotten for the time being.
Houmas House restaurants shift chefs, management - 225 Baton Rouge
Houmas House restaurants shift chefs, management.
Posted: Wed, 15 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Houmas House Plantation features breathtaking gardens that captivate for hours. The landscape design is an exquisite display of lily pads, ponds, lotus flowers, and exotic blooms. The gardens are a phenomenal sight, adorned with lighted archways, wood-carved sculptures, and elegant water fountains.
Behind the mansion is the original home for the property. It’s a French Provincial house built by Maurice Conway and Alexander Latil who purchased the land from the Houmas Indians in the mid 1700’s. The house has been through many renovations over it’s 250 year history on this property and the inside has been meticulously perfected with beautiful antiques and artifacts of the age. The house definitely looks the part of a Southern plantation. P. Miles Jr., at the age of 45, married Harriet Waters, age 25, of New Orleans. They also enjoyed a large circle of friends that visited frequently, often staying weeks or months at a time.
But they were also incorporated on a more practical scale, along the roofs of residences like George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. They’re also found on sheds, garages, barns, and even landscape features, like the short octagonal cupola above the Stars Hollow gazebo in the TV show Gilmore Girls. Another supernatural story told at the Houmas House plantation is close to my heart since it has to do with the impressive old live oak trees on the property. If you’re interested in visiting this haunted Louisiana plantation, read on, because the Houmas House has another ghostly story tied to the construction of the levee. The family left for Columbia, South Carolina, where the young girl then died.
This particular Antebellum plantation house doesn’t cover slavery as much as some of the other houses in Louisiana. Oak Alley where I visited before, has rebuilt the slave cabins that once were part of the plantation grounds. They reverently share memorabilia and artifacts in these cabins, telling the stories of the slaves that once lived there. I looked up some critical reviews of the plantation and found this one where someone was wondering why Houmas House didn’t mention slavery more often. The reply back from Houmas House on Trip Advisor was very well stated and in my opinion, a good explanation of why they do not make slavery more prominent in their tours. I appreciated what they said, there are many other plantations you can visit where slavery is covered more fully in a reverent manner, and is much more a part of the tours.
They entertained with dinner parties, garden parties, buggy races and hunting excursions. In the 1920s, a failed sugar crop forced the family to sell off the plantation piece by piece. Finally, the family moved to New Orleans, and the Houmas was used mostly for weekend and Holiday retreats. It was during the 1890’s that the Miles Family enlarged the mansion by connecting the 1829 mansion to the French House, to the rear. The carriageway was created between the two buildings and two additional bedrooms and a center hall were added to the 2nd floor of the mansion. During the Miles period, the 2nd floor housed seven bedrooms.
You can also vary the body elements, including siding type, window shape and pane style, or louvers. In addition to toppers, lanterns or light fixtures inside the cupola can add cozy ambience at night. When it comes to the design, the two most critical parts of the cupola are the cap, or roof, and the body or main enclosure. The bottom portion that connects the cupola to the house is generally known as the base. The slave girl appeared in the breezeway between The General’s Store and the Butler’s Pantry of the mansion. It’s a 4-star Bed and Breakfast with 3 restaurants and a bar.
Louisiana’s River Road boasts the jewel of the 1840 Houmas House Plantation—a timeless attraction blending history and promise. Travel through time, envisioning the splendor it held and still exudes 250 years later. Houmas House remains a preeminent sugarcane plantation in Louisiana. Here’s what to expect when visiting Houmas House Plantation. The Crown Jewel of Louisiana's River Road features antiques and Louisiana artwork, three award-winning restaurants, gardens, ponds and oaks.
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