Gracing the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Oak Alley Plantation is on Frommer’s list of “Louisiana’s Most Glorious Antebellum Mansions.” While oak trees draped with Spanish moss are often a staple on plantations, the natural canopy made by massive 300-year-old live oaks on this property create enchanting walkways and are the namesake for the plantation. Through thick and thin, the trees have stood guard over the site as the sugar plantation became an investment property, a cattle ranch, and eventually the National Historic Landmark you visit today. Unlike so many properties that were lost to neglect, Oak Alley Plantation and its lovely tree-lined pathways stood the test of time. As you stroll through oak alley to the plantation’s iconic “Big House,” you’ll journey back centuries to the grandeur of the antebellum South.
Oak Alley Plantation’s “Big House” was built in the early 1800s. The Greek Revival mansion is a masterpiece of symmetry with colonnades and wrap-around verandas. During your guided tour, historical interpreters expertly weave the story of the home’s many residents and the manor’s history from construction through restoration to its former glory. The home’s spacious interior and fine period furnishings speak to the
incredible wealth amassed by the first owners — the Louisiana-born, French-speaking Roman family. It is a home fit for royalty. Be sure to visit the Collection Room on your tour. It showcases photographs, correspondence, and artifacts found on the property and allows visitors to learn more about the families who lived a life of wealth and privilege.
On the plantation grounds, self-guided tours explore the original slaves’ quarters, where you can “meet” the enslaved who made this way of life possible for the sugar barons. Several times a day, site interpreters lead the Conversation Series at the Slavery Exhibit and discuss this dark chapter in American history and the harsh realities of the enslaved men, women, and children forced to labor in the fields and maintain the household. The sharp contrast of the “Big House” and the slaves’ cabins drives this reality home.
Along with manicured formal gardens, you’ll find outdoor exhibits that highlight plantation work. Displays include demonstrations on the sugar-making process in the historic sugar cane barn and forging in the blacksmith shop. Historic interpreters give scheduled talks on the day-to-day life before and after the Emancipation Proclamation at these and other sites around the 63-acre property. As with all discussions about the plantation, the guides share the whole truth during talks with guests.
As you tour the Big House and grounds, it quickly becomes clear that Oak Alley Plantation holds a wealth of history and heritage. A two-hour stay barely scratches the surface. For those who can’t extend their visit, the plantation’s website allows further research into the property’s timeline and its free and enslaved residents for you to review from the comfort of your own home. For those with the luxury of time, the Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant & Inn is conveniently found next to the property. The quaint cottages make an ideal jumping off point for discovering the rich cultural heritage of Oak Alley Plantation and the Louisiana River Region.
