Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana

 I moved north to Atlanta, GA, so I am definitely a southern girl! Having grown up in Jacksonville, Florida, I love coastal areas and live oak trees draped in spanish moss. Recently, we had some time to visit a plantation while in Louisiana. I chose Oak Alley Plantation, as it was a very traditional plantation. Several years back, I visited San Francisco Plantation, and while I enjoyed seeing it, the style was different than I think of when I think of a southern plantation. The trees in front of this home sold me and I was pleased with the entire visit.

 These 28 live oak are about 300 years old and line the path up to the house. The house is located on River Road, which follows the Mississippi River. There is a levy between the river and the house. The area is known for farming sugar cane and this is still a working farm. It is run by a non profit trust as the previous owners wanted to preserve this special place.

The fern on the tree above is called resurrection fern. It will dry up and look dead in dry periods but then turns green and comes back to life when it receives water.

 The big house was built from 1837 to 1839 and was a gift from Jacques Telesphore Roman to his wife, Celina. The trees had been planted early in the 1700's by an unknown settler.
The cradle below is believed to belong to the Roman's.

 The porch wraps around the entire home and overlooks the Stewart Gardens (below). The Stewarts were the last family to live in the home and the garden was designed by Josephine Stewart. She lived in the home until she died in 1972.

 The Plantation Bell (cast in 1848) was the communication system used on the plantation. Today, it is used to signal the beginning of the next tour.

 Sugar Kettles, made of cast iron, were used in the production of the sugar from sugar cane, but today are used on the grounds for decoration.

 The original slave quarters have been destroyed over time, but they are being reconstructed on their original location at the present time. The Blacksmith Shop houses one of the remaining 1890's era forges of it's type in Louisiana.

There are several plantations that can be toured in Louisiana and Mississippi, but I definitely recommend Oak Alley Plantation for a walk down history lane.