Laura Plantation

Laura Plantation is a historic Creole plantation located on the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana, USA. The plantation was established in the early 1800s and named after its original owner, Guillaume Duparc, who named it after his daughter, Laura.

The main house of Laura Plantation is a Creole-style mansion that was built in 1805. The house features a unique blend of Spanish, French, and Caribbean architecture, with a large central hall and four rooms on either side. The exterior is painted in bright colors, including red, green, and yellow.

The plantation was owned by several families over the years, but it is most closely associated with the family of Laura Locoul, who was born on the plantation in 1861. Laura’s mother, Elisabeth, was a former slave who became the mistress of the plantation’s owner, and Laura grew up speaking both French and English.

Laura’s memoir, “Memories of the Old Plantation Home,” provides a unique perspective on life on a Creole plantation in the late 19th century. The memoir was published in 1946, long after Laura’s death, and is now considered an important historical document.

Today, the Laura Plantation is open to the public for tours. Visitors can explore the main house, as well as several outbuildings, including a slave cabin and a kitchen. The plantation also features a museum that provides information about the history of the plantation and the lives of the people who lived and worked there.

Overall, the Laura Plantation is an important historical site that provides insight into the history of Creole culture and the lives of enslaved people in Louisiana.