Whitney Plantation

Whitney Plantation is a historic plantation located in Wallace, Louisiana, USA. It was established in 1752 and was named after the owner’s grandson, Harry Whitney. The Whitney Plantation was a working sugar cane plantation for over 100 years and was one of the largest in the area, spanning over 2,000 acres at its peak.

Today, Whitney Plantation is a museum dedicated to preserving and telling the stories of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation. It is the only plantation museum in Louisiana that focuses exclusively on the lives of enslaved people. The Whitney Plantation museum opened in 2014 after undergoing extensive restoration and renovation.

Visitors to Whitney Plantation can take guided tours of the grounds and see original buildings and artifacts, including slave quarters, a church, and a plantation owner’s house. The museum also features a Wall of Honor, which is a memorial to the more than 350 enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation. Each name on the wall is accompanied by a brief biography, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of the people who were enslaved there.

One of the most impactful exhibits at Whitney Plantation is the Field of Angels, a memorial to the enslaved children who died on the plantation. The memorial features cast iron statues of children, each representing a child who died there. The museum also has a series of exhibits that explore the history of slavery in Louisiana, including the transatlantic slave trade, the daily life of enslaved people, and the resistance movements that emerged.

Overall, Whitney Plantation is an important and moving museum that provides a unique and important perspective on the history of slavery in the United States. By focusing on the stories of enslaved people, the museum helps visitors better understand the impact of slavery on individuals, families, and communities, and the lasting legacy of this dark chapter in American history.