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Plantations in Louisiana are one of the most sought after attractions throughout the state. Located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, The Houmas House Estate allows visitors to experience the life on a sugarcane plantation in the 1800’s. The mansion has been restored to the antebellum era, reflecting the opulence and wealth this sugarcane farm boasted in the 1880’s. The guided mansion tour walks through the 250 year history, showing the architectural evolution of this manor house and how it became a grand estate.
Houmas House Plantation Grounds
During your visit to the Houmas House you can also visit the adjacent Great River Road Museum that features displays about life on the Mississippi. As the oaks grew, the intertwined canopy created a welcoming scene to visitors from the River Road who enjoyed their cooling shade. 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. According to records, the young daughter of Col. John Preston was the belle of Houmas House in the mid 1800s.
Guided Tours in Darrow, LA
Although it presents a historic appearance, this old portion of the house has been much reworked. Period antiques, artwork, and artifacts help the costumed guides tell the story of plantation life. Once sprawling over 300,000 acres, Houmas House has survived wars, floods, abandonment, and the test of time. Once you have explored the Houmas Estate, visit The Great River Road Steamboat Museum.
Dates Closed: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
In the Spring of 2003, the Estate of Dr. George Crozat auctioned off the entire contents of the mansion and grounds. 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. The choice was made to select the best features from various periods to showcase a legacy of each family in the mansion.
A Travel Guide to New Orleans Plantation Country - TravelAge West
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Other Haunted Plantations in Louisiana
Houmas House has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Those who are interested in the history of New Orleans plantations have no better starting point than the stories of Houmas House and Oak Alley Plantation. These storied homes provide unmatched insight into the architecture and lifestyle of mid-1800s Louisiana.
Houmas House Plantation features breathtaking gardens that captivate for hours. The landscape design is an exquisite display of lily pads, ponds, lotus flowers, and exotic blooms. The gardens are a phenomenal sight, adorned with lighted archways, wood-carved sculptures, and elegant water fountains. The Houmas House has elegant architecture, captivating gardens, and a wealth of attractions, a visit to this enchanting estate offers an immersive journey into the past.
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Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Louisiana, the Houmas House Plantation stands as a testament to the region’s rich history and grandeur. 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. 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. This unique plantation definitely has plenty of history and lore that has been passed down for generations. If you’re interested in visiting this haunted Louisiana plantation, read on, because the Houmas House has another ghostly story tied to the construction of the levee.
She played games of tag in the gardens and hide-and-seek in the great house until she fell gravely ill in 1848. But when the renovated house opened to the public, sightings of the little girl began again. Both guides and guests have seen her and say she seems curious about all the activity. Along with deep ties to the land comes stories passed down from generation to generation. 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. The Houmas House Plantation is beautiful, but so are the haunting remains of a sugar plantation in Florida that was burned by the Seminoles in the 1830s.
What a lovely afternoon we spent walking around the beautiful gardens then touring the mansion . Our tour guide was a young girl who was very knowledgeable and brought the house to life ( sorry forgotten her name ) . Finished the day with a mint julep very nice indeed .Worth a visit. The newest addition to the restaurants of Houmas House is now open!
Jessica James is an award-winning historical fiction author and life-long Gettysburg resident who loves sharing her passions for history and travel. She enjoys exploring the back roads of the USA and uncovering stories about unique destinations, cultures and almost-forgotten history. With its expansive gardens, stately mansion, restaurants and cottage, the Houmas House plantation also makes a wonderful wedding venue and is available for corporate events. 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.
Houmas House is a masterclass in horticulture, providing an opportunity to learn and appreciate the wonders of nature. The house is a stunning symmetrical antebellum structure featuring wrap-around decks on two floors, Federal arched dormers, majestic columns, and a decorative widow’s walk. Its allure is captivating, inspiring the desire to step inside or capture its beauty through the lens.
The French doors open into a courtyard shared by other guests, but surrounded by lush gardens. This expansive museum educates visitors about life on the Mississippi, exploring the culture, commerce, folklore, and music. Once you’ve completed this attraction, save time to walk across the bridge located in the parking lot to enjoy sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding landscape. Allow at least 4 hours for this visit to both Houmas House and The Great River Road Museum. A visit to Houmas House Plantation is a delightful experience, with one-hour tours of the mansion, gardens, and more available at $35.
Tickets to tour the Houmas Estate and The Great River Road Museum can be purchased upon arrival. After we got all settled in we went for a stroll through the gardens. It was amazing to see so many different garden areas with a variety of sculptures, water features, plants and historic artifacts. It was a working sugarcane plantation by 1803, when the United States obtained the area through the Louisiana Purchase. Shortly afterwards The Houmas was purchased by Daniel Clark, who began to develop the property and built one of the first sugar mills along this stretch of the river.
Finally, the family moved to New Orleans, and the Houmas was used mostly for weekend and Holiday retreats. In April of 1848, there were thirty family members and guests in residence at the Houmas, and just as many servants in the household. The lavish dinner tables were dressed with fish, shell fish and oysters from the Gulf, wild turkey, venison, duck from the swamp, and woodcock, snipe and birds shot by Preston and his guests in the fields. There was an abundance of beef and mutton from the plantation, as well as fruits and vegetables from the gardens. On a great curve of the Mississippi River and on high ground first selected by the Houmas Indians stand the great Tuscan columns of The Houmas.
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