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She enjoys exploring the back roads of the USA and uncovering stories about unique destinations, cultures and almost-forgotten history. At this point in time, only a caretaker and his wife lived on the Houmas House property because the plantation was out of the sugarcane business. (The couple lived in what is now used as the plantation’s Bridal Cottage). For weddings with more than 50 guests, the venue suggests having the wedding ceremony in front of the mansion under the Cathedral of Oaks. For receptions, the Hampton Fountain Court, Grand Lawn, Neptune’s Ballroom and Courtyard as well as the climate-controlled Pavillion are all options. You can read more about the ceremony/reception venues at the Houmas House here.
Our Experience at Houma House
The last time I visited a plantation in Louisiana was Oak Alley in 2015 with my sister. Slavery was a horrific and tragic part of Southern history and the plantations that dot the Mississippi River in Louisiana were some of the biggest offenders. So I’m not glorifying slavery at all, but rather looking thoughtfully at a beautiful home and garden plantation house that does have a rich history, with slavery a big part of that history. The website does mention 550 slaves at Houmas House during slavery days and before the Civil War. Guided tours of the mansion and gardens provide a comprehensive and informative experience. Expert guides share stories of the plantation’s history, architecture, and the lives of the people who once lived and worked there.
Houmas House Plantation Grounds
He collected great furnishings and great works of art to appoint both his city estate, later named “Burnside Place”, and his country estate, “The Houmas”. He shared his time between the two grand properties and entertained lavishly. At the age of 71, John Burnside, feeling ill, traveled to White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia for what he hoped would be a restful recovery.
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La. plantation removes sign saying slaves were 'happy' and 'taken care of' - Houma Courier
La. plantation removes sign saying slaves were 'happy' and 'taken care of'.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These tours offer a deeper understanding of the plantation’s significance and its place in Louisiana’s cultural tapestry. The Crown Jewel of Louisiana's River Road features antiques and Louisiana artwork, three award-winning restaurants, gardens, ponds and oaks. For those seeking a truly immersive experience, Houmas House offers luxurious cottages for overnight stays. Nestled within the lush gardens, these cottages provide a tranquil escape and a chance to experience the Southern charm of the plantation after hours. 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.
The Inn at Houmas House and Gardens
Overall we were very impressed with the Houmas House and cannot wait to visit again someday. The museum has so much to see and learn about be sure to plan to spend a few hours to be able to see everything. After breakfast we toured the Great River Steamboat Museum. The next morning we started our our day with breakfast at the Dixie Cafe.
Houmas House, a Hollywood-filming favorite, once was an epicenter of Louisiana’s sugar trade - NOLA.com
Houmas House, a Hollywood-filming favorite, once was an epicenter of Louisiana’s sugar trade.
Posted: Tue, 24 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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The sofa sleeper folds out to a full size bed in addition to the King size four poster bed. The French doors open into a courtyard shared by other guests, but surrounded by lush gardens. A visit to Houmas House Plantation is a delightful experience, with one-hour tours of the mansion, gardens, and more available at $35.
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. In 1899, at the age of 77, William Porcher Miles died, and the Houmas Estate and Company was inherited by William P. Miles, Jr., and his sisters. The mansion is completely handicap accessible and each room provides several places to sit throughout the guided tour.
Top tips for your stay at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens
The choice was made to select the best features from various periods to showcase a legacy of each family in the mansion. After extensive restorations to the house and grounds, the Houmas re-opened for tours in November of 2003. Mr. Kelly allows tours of the mansion and gardens, however the Houmas remains his private residence, as it was for its previous owners for over 240 years.
The cottages are designed to mirror historic structures, offering a traditional experience that still provides modern conveniences. All rooms include a comfortable bed, luxurious bathroom, and a porch for enjoying the views of the grounds. Both annuals and perennials flourish in south Louisiana’s warm, moist summer climate to create a sub-tropical feeling for summertime visitors. We took the guided tour, and our guide (Darren) was not only very knowledgeable, but also quite amicable.
She was laid to rest in the family cemetery, which was located down by the river. There’s so much to see and do at Houmas House, you could stay here all day. Treat yourself to a stay at The Inn at Houmas House, where you can snuggle up in luxury cottages adorned with chandeliers, fireplaces, and front porches with rocking chairs. For the peaceful opulence of Louisiana’s plantation country, look no further than Houmas House Plantation. John Burnside was born in Tyrone County, Ireland around 1810 of a poor family. At the age of twelve or thirteen, he somehow managed to obtain passage to America, with only a few pennies in his pocket.
And among those stories are those that include the supernatural. As I soon discovered during my visit, residents of the New Orleans area and all of South Louisiana have a deep sense of heritage that goes back many hundreds of years. Click here to learn more about my wedding venue review process. See pictures from a beautiful real wedding at the Houmas House. Our average base cost for a Houmas House wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person ceremony/reception with a seated meal. Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are NOT included.
Each room includes a large flat screen TV, Wifi, coffee and tea makers, and an iron to name a few. Tickets to tour the Houmas Estate and The Great River Road Museum can be purchased upon arrival. Get a glimpse into the history and life along the Mighty Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Explore river life on the east and west banks of the Lower Mississippi. The slave girl appeared in the breezeway between The General’s Store and the Butler’s Pantry of the mansion. This unique plantation definitely has plenty of history and lore that has been passed down for generations.
Mr. Burnside left one of the largest estates in America to his boyhood friend, Oliver Beirne. We are still in the middle of our trip but I had to take a moment to review this team. We are currently staying in the deluxe suite on the grounds and it is perfect. We had dinner at Latils last night and not only was the food fantastic but Josh and Phyllis were inviting and provided great service. Today we toured the informative museum and toured the Mansion with Darrin who was amazing. As we sit here sipping cocktails at Turtles Bar, I cant wait to see what the rest of our trip will bring.
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