Monday, May 6, 2024

Visiting Houmas House Plantation, LA: A Stunning Property Travel Blog

houmas house plantation and gardens

He began his young career in the grocery house of Talbot Jones in Baltimore. He quickly excelled, became a junior partner, and moved to Roanoke. John Burnside and Oliver Beirne, Andrew Beirne’s son, were the same age and matured together in Mr. Beirne’s business, becoming very close friends, a friendship that lasted through the years.

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It’s a very unique looking museum, so I’m sure it would be full of historical memorabilia and facts. Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Louisiana, the Houmas House Plantation stands as a testament to the region’s rich history and grandeur. Head to The Turtle Bar for mint juleps or French 75s before dinner at The Carriage House Restaurant, which serves traditional Louisiana dishes with a contemporary twist.

All Available Tours

houmas house plantation and gardens

Read his entire reply on that link for all of the explanation. So I thought I would get that out of the way before I start this tour. If you feel the need to be ugly/negative about this post in the comments, I also reserve the right to delete comments. The Inn at Houmas House is a collection of quaint cottages nestled along an ancient oak alley and surrounded by lush gardens, allowing guests to get lost in the tranquility of the South. The Mighty Mississippi River is just steps away and a peaceful setting to watch the sun rise or set. The cottages depict historic structures that once graced Uncle Sam Plantation, which was located downriver from Houmas House.

What Hotels Are Near The Houmas House?

I looked up some critical reviews of the plantation and found this one where someone was wondering why Houmas House didn’t mention slavery more often. The reply back from Houmas House on Trip Advisor was very well stated and in my opinion, a good explanation of why they do not make slavery more prominent in their tours. I appreciated what they said, there are many other plantations you can visit where slavery is covered more fully in a reverent manner, and is much more a part of the tours.

A Travel Guide to New Orleans Plantation Country - TravelAge West

A Travel Guide to New Orleans Plantation Country.

Posted: Sun, 17 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Inn at Houmas House and Gardens

Numerous out buildings, located just behind the main house, were demolished. They included an old kitchen, a pair of pigeonnieres, five large Moorish water cisterns, a school house, stables, green houses, service quarters and dozens of small service buildings. Dr. Crozat redesigned and remodeled the interior of the mansion then furnished the mansion with federal and early Louisiana antiques.

houmas house plantation and gardens

Our Experience at Houma House

We enjoyed our meal, the staff and the ambiance of the restaurant. Some of our favorite parts were the oriental gardens and the sculptures gardens. My wife and I visited the New Orleans area for our 12 year wedding anniversary and we ended our anniversary adventure at the Houmas House. Guests were delighted by the delectable charcuterie spreads and a wide selection of Cajun/creole favorites.

In 1803 Donaldson and Scott built a new center hall cottage directly in front of the1700’s French House. In 1829, General Wade Hampton began the task of enlarging the Donaldson Cottage and transforming it into the Classical Revival Mansion that stands today. For over 240 years, the Houmas Mansion has evolved and grew with the times and with the owners of the great mansion. The great colonnade has not changed since 1829, when General Hampton set out to build a mansion fitting for his wife, Mary Cantey Hampton. The house is stately and majestic inside and out, with period antiques, artwork and artifacts helping tell the story of plantation life.

History

Not only did these men fail to make it to the city and collect any money, something happened to all of them and none of their bodies were ever recovered. During that historic event, the area around Houmas House was inundated with water for weeks. The little girl in the blue dress does appear to be the figment of someone’s overactive imagination because her presence has been witnessed by many people at Houmas House. Read about some of my other favorite historical places to visit. So much so, that when a new owner bought the estate at an auction in 2003, he did an extreme makeover. The Houmas House was stripped, scraped, scrubbed and renovated from top to bottom.

The museum provides historical information about life on the Mississippi. The rooms provided a variety of artifacts across many decades and many styles. Each room was amazing to explore and our guide knew so much about everything. The food was delicious, they offer a mix of New Orleans style food, seafood and more. After a brief look around we checked into one of the cottages on the property of the Houmas House. Upon arriving at the Houma House we were immediately impressed with the gardens and everything that the Houmas House had to offer.

Luxurious cottage accommodations are also available for an overnight stay. Immerse yourself in a captivating landscape with sunlight filtering through majestic oaks, inviting you to explore a remarkable mansion. Louisiana’s River Road boasts the jewel of the 1840 Houmas House Plantation—a timeless attraction blending history and promise. Travel through time, envisioning the splendor it held and still exudes 250 years later. Houmas House remains a preeminent sugarcane plantation in Louisiana.

The charm of the house, the land and the stately old oak trees is eternal and so are the memories you will make there. Once a sprawling plantation of more than 300,000 acres, Houmas House is a magnificent historical landmark that has survived wars, floods, abandonment — and the test of time. The historic Houmas House showcases what life was like on a sugarcane plantation in the 1800s and provides insight on the families who once lived there. The gardens at Houmas House are a true feast for the senses. From the stunning collection of azaleas and camellias to the tranquil koi ponds and fountains, the gardens offer a serene escape into nature’s beauty.

We are on a Mississippi River Boat cruise, and this was one of our stops. There was also a very large gift shop and a great restaurant on the grounds. In its early years, Houmas House plantation had an oak alley leading from the river’s edge to the house. These “allees” were (and still are) common in Louisiana because the trees help funnel the cooler air from the river straight to the residence. Around 1900, another daughter of Houmas House died, this time on the plantation. Col. William Porcher Miles and his wife, Harriet, lost their daughter at the age of 7 to illness.

The lush flora and meticulously designed landscapes create a picturesque setting that is ideal for leisurely strolls and quiet contemplation. After the amazing tour we enjoyed a sunset stroll through the gardens. Houmas House Plantation boasts immaculate grounds with meticulously maintained landscaping.

The hotel also features a picnic area and complimentary WiFi in the public areas of the property. There are concierge services available to handle all guest needs. The Carriage House offers fine dining on the property in a beautiful room filled with historical artifacts and decor.

Kevin Kelly, a New Orleans Businessman, purchased the mansion and surrounding grounds and began the task of restoring the mansion and gardens. The mansion, having undergone over 200 years of construction and remodeling by various owners, reflected a multitude of styles. It was impossible to restore the house to a definite period without sacrificing elements from other important periods of its history.

Sculptures, exotic plants, and a Japanese footbridge adorn the expansive property, along with charming fountains. As you explore the premises, tranquility envelops you, offering a refreshing escape. The variety of blooming flowers and trees is simply breathtaking. If you don’t feel like walking, you can do a small group haunted history carriage tour and let the horse do all of the work.

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