“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord,
and he ponders all his paths”
Proverbs 5:21
Last Tuesday my sweetie called around lunch time and said, “do you want to go to Louisiana”? My immediate response was “sure, when are we going”? He said “in about three hours”!!! I don’t do spontaneous as well as I used to, but I threw together a suitcase, jumped in his truck…and off we went! It was a business trip that entailed over 1000 miles of travel in a 33 hour time span! Whew-that is exhausting just to think about, isn’t it?! But, I wouldn’t trade anything for the time shared in his truck riding down the interstate and back roads of “Cajun country”!
There was a surprise reward for me on this trip-we took a couple of hours and toured one of the beautiful plantations in St. James Parish! Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana rests along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River about an hour west of New Orleans! It was built in 1837-1839 and famous for its alley of 28 giant live oak trees, and is a National Historic Landmark. Plantation houses were once scattered along the Mississippi valley, though this “grande dame” Oak Alley is probably the finest of those remaining! As you tour with us today, this fabled plantation may look familiar, as it has appeared in many movies and television shows! Hope you enjoy without having to endure the long ride!!
The Alley of Oaks is a quarter mile alley of 300 year old Virginia Live Oaks. In the early 1700’s, an unknown settler planted an alley of 28 oaks in two equal rows spaced 80 feet apart leading to the river. Live oaks have a life span of approximately 600 years, which makes these 300 year old trees middle aged! I’d say they outlive humans by a few years!
Perhaps the most photographed plantation in Louisiana, this splendid Greek Revival style mansion was completed in 1839.
The view of the alley from the mansion to the Mississippi River!
Our very knowledgable and entertaining guide, Katie explains the tastefully appointed Roman parlor…a 19th century drawing room. The warmth of Creole hospitality is reflected in a collection of fine books, paintings, games, and music (a grand piano is out of camera view).
Chandelier in the drawing room
The Dining Room is gently cooled by the movement of the “shoo fly” or punkah fan suspended over the table. It is original to the house and is still in working order as demonstrated by our guide!
Social events were very popular on the large plantations in the South prior to the Civil War!
The doors step out onto the veranda and would have been open during dining in the warm months! Guests were able to enjoy the view of the river!
Bon Appetit!
Frequent dinner guests would have enjoyed sumptuous meals in the beautifully appointed dining room!
Four bedrooms occupy the second floor of the mansion. This room served effectively as a guest room, an infirmary, and even a mourning room for the dead! Notice the black around the mirror and the mourning clothes!
Black hats, a symbol of mourning, occupy the chest!
Precious memories of childhood joys are captured in the nursery!
Upstairs Hall with doors leading out to a stunning view of the oaks!
The blue Master Bedroom with an early 1800’s Louisiana bed. Carved pineapples grace the bed posts!
A very ornate medallion and chandelier!
The Master Bedroom is appointed with antiques representative of the 1800’s-this is my favorite room in the mansion!
The Lavender Bedroom is preserved essentially as Mrs. Josephine Stewart left it. She was the last resident owner and she restored, maintained, and ultimately bequeathed this splendid historic treasure so all could enjoy!
This spectacular view of the avenue of mighty oaks is from the second floor gallery facing north toward the Mississippi River!
Just look at how large these oaks are!
The Office, occupying a rear corner on the main floor, would have been used to run the everyday affairs of the household and a thriving sugar crop!
A recreation of the slave houses that existed on this sugar plantation. The exhibit shares the story of daily life of those who were enslaved from approximately 1835 to the end of the Civil War!
The back alley of oaks were planted by the Romans (original owners) in the 1830’s and the Stewarts in the 1930’s!
A rear view of the plantation home
A view in the distance through the oaks to the Overseer’s House, one of the original buildings!
No trip is complete without excellent (and local) food! This is called butter beans and shrimp and is unique to this area! It was absolutely delicious and was served with rice and lightly battered catfish!
As y’all know I love desserts, and this local confection was not disappointing! It is called Ba Ba and I was lucky enough to score the recipe! I may share in the future!
Thanks for coming along with us!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies ,Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Rustic-Refined, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict,Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Womens Bloggers
Katy and Pamalina, This.is absolutely one of the most well done blogs I’ve seen. Lolly
Lolly, thank you so much for your gracious words and they are very much appreciated! Blessings, Pam
What a wonderful trip! It was worth the fast turn around seeing that beautiful mansion. Just beautiful! The grounds are just as stately!
Blessings My Friend,
Thank you for your sweet words, Elaine. It was a quick trip but worth every minute! Blessings to you, Pam
Wow, thanks so much for the wonderful tour of that Plantation home, I loved every minute of it and every detail of it! Especially those tester beds, just beautiful!
The food looks delicious too, yummy!
Have a great week,
Gina
Gina, thanks for touring with us and for your sweet comments! Blessings, Pam
What a magnificent old plantation!
Thanks for touring with us, Marigene! Blessings, Pam
It’s a good thing you were able to get geared for that fast departure and not miss this wonderful treat! Oak Alley is amazing, and I plan to take my mom there sometime this year (when it’s not hot!). Don’t you love that dining table fan? I’m so glad I live now! The surrounding sugar plantations and farms are so lovely. I’m glad you two had a really fun Valentine weekend!
Thank you so much, Kim! I know you and your Mom will have a great time! Blessings, Pam!!
Pam,
Thanks for sharing this beautiful SOUTHERN home at my party today…off to share it on my facebook page.
Blessings,
Linda
Linda, thank you for sharing on FB and for the lovely party! Blessings, Pam
Those photos are amazing. Thank you for sharing …
Thank you so much, Kimberly! Blessings, Pam
Oak Alley is a wonderful place! We use to visit twice a year when we lived in Baton Rouge.
Thank you Pamela, it was an enjoyable visit! Blessings, Pam
Thank you for sharing a wonderful day. I really enjoyed it sitting here in my armchair
with a foot of snow outside. I forgot the cold for awhile and enjoyed the South.
W
Wow, Shirley a foot of snow! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Blessings for your day, Pam
Oak Alley… My fav! Starting visiting when I was 6 years old on a school trip. the owner was still alive and road each of us on her chair on the staircase. I have visited often and will be taking my youngest granddaughter this summer.
The pineapples… the story is that the guest beds had the pineapples that could be removed. When it was time for your guess to leave the pineapple was removed from the post and placed in the center of the bed to tell the guess his welcome had ended. My guess bedrooms have pineapple figurines and the morning my guest leave the pineapple is put on the bed as a conversation piece to say goodby and I hope they come again.
Thanks for making my morning…
Rae, thank you so much for sharing your stories and memories of Oak Alley. I love that you got to ride the chair up the stairs and your pineapple story is wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! Blessings, Pam
I love road trips! I can feel your pain and exhaustion, but also the delight and exhilaration of seeing the magnificent sights along the way. I don’t know if I will get to Louisiana, but if I do I definitely will visit this amazing plantation. I found you through Titus 2 Tuesday, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!! It was a quick but fun trip! Blessings, Pam
That is life…..that is adventure….beautiful post which will collect so much beautiful memories….thank you!!!
Thank you so much France! It was a fun trip that I had not anticipated and that made it better! Blessings, Pam
STUNNING!!! My favorite era. I love reading and seeing anything during this time period.
Carol, thanks so much for reading and your kind comments! Blessings, Pam
How fun! Reminds me of our vacation to S. Carolina where we toured two plantations. I loved it! Oh my that food looks delicious! Please share the dessert recipe! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I will definitely share the Ba Ba cake! Blessings, Pam
Now that was a trip worth sitting in the truck all those miles for!! Just beautiful!
AnnMarie, all the long hours paid off in that beautiful plantation! Thanks for your sweet comment! Blessings, Pam
Thank you for this trip in pics. I liked the pineapple bed & the baby cradle with the netting draped near the top. Looking down the path lined by gorgeous oaks was so pretty.
When we lived in Clearwater, there was an Italian place north of us, Sweet Tooth Cafe…served BaBa au Rum & Zuppa Ingleis. Sugar syrup & Rum soaked sponge cake, thick vanilla custard with bits citron & currants…topped with meringue. The Zuppa was similar, but I can’t remember its layers. Both were served COLD. Cafe is long gone. I think I would have liked to have opened up a place like Sweet Tooth.
Ann, thanks so much for commenting! While I was waiting on the lady to email the recipe, I searched and found several recipes, many like you described. I am going to try this recipe and share on the blog, if it turns out well! Blessings to you my sweet friend, Pam
Such a slice of history! Love the Oaks lining that entrance. Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry, thank you for the party and always commenting! Have a great week-end! Blessings, Pam