Oak Alley Plantation LA 70090

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Elzie B Hickerson

My wife and I wanted to see a plantation and I don’t think we could have gone to a better example of an American southern plantation. It’s a little drive out from New Orleans and once you’re out of the city I was struck by the changes in landscapes from cypress groves to huge expanses of wilds to huge fields waiting for crops ( this was February) and then to a series of 3 plantations. Each one with a great house and then smaller buildings behind and scattered about were shacks maybe 10 or 12 by 30’. Oak Alley was the last of these we saw. It was the largest, most beautiful grounds and best maintained. The first impression is of the mansion with the slave shacks some distance behind. We were told only one of the original shacks survived to modern times but the others standing now were restored from records of the plantation. The live oaks are a sight to see in themselves and the grandeur of the place just magnifies the disparity of the lives lived here between the slaves and the owner family. I’ve never been to a concentration camp or prisoner of war camp restored but I can imagine the feeling must be similar - to be in a place where humans suffered so much. We walked a self guided tour of the slave quarters and there were excellent descriptions and displays to give you some sense of conditions and the life there. I was very impressed that there was a wall listing the name of every slave who had lived and worked there - thereby honoring and humanizing them as individuals. We also took a guided tour of the house which was excellent. The tour guides and staff seem dedicated to communicating the nature of the place and its history and did a great job. I’m glad I went - seeing a video or documentary is not the same feeling.

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Mathias Gebeau

This is such a wonderful place to visit. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, and the entire museum is very respectful in honoring those who were enslaved on the plantation. Even if you are not into history, the grounds are well kept and very beautiful. I would highly recommend visiting and I wish to return again.

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L Wyl

An amazing, scenic plantation mansion. Plenty of information and the tour from McKenzie was great. Was amazing to see the Braithwaite manor from rdr2 and the site where Beyoncé’s Deja Vu music video was filmed. The cafe and gift shop was also really cool.