Laura Plantation

After the opulence of Oak Alley, here's a more intimate Creole plantation that was run by 5 generations of women. Not all of them were nice. Laura Plantation was also where Alcee Fortier compiled the Louisiana Creole versions of Brer Rabbit (Compair Lapin).

Banana trees in the plantation.

The grounds at Laura Plantation were not as well manicured as Oak Alley but it did lend

more authenticity to how an actual working plantation would have looked like. 

Wine cellar. Not sure why they chose to make this creepy mannequin 

part of the display.

Outdoor kitchen. In any plantation, all cooking is done outside of the main house.

The five generations of women who ruled Laura Plantation. The one in the middle of the first row was a real firecracker, causing a stir with her devil costume on Halloween.

Slave overseer's house.

Slave grounds.

Slave house.

Mission bell in front of the slave quarters.

 Inside slave quarters. Obviously, no pictures were allowed on the walls then. 

The pictures here are of actual slaves at Laura Plantation in the 1800s.

The house where Alcee Fortier stayed and compiled the Compair Lapin stories.

Oak Alley Part 2

What a gorgeous plantation. Of course, one mustn't forget that slavery was an unfortunate part of making a place like this possible. We didn't get to see the slave quarters in this plantation but there were plenty at Laura Plantation where we went next:--

 Imagine trotting up to the oak-lined path riding your steed or carriage. 

Of course, if you were a slave, you'd be dragged to the back.

 On the grounds

 The levee separating the plantation from the Mississippi River.

 Coming up close. In the distance, the guides waiting for us in the same way 

the ladies of the mansion would.

A mint julep at 9.30 in the morning? Best believe it! 

It's a shame they didn't serve it in a proper glass.

View from the doorway.