Now I am going to have to admit, about twenty years ago plantation and similiar places like this did not interest me in the slightest. Then my youngest brother moved over to the USA to work at a plantation (we are from the UK), I visited it whilst he was there and got a tour and I was amazed! It is so much different (and bigger) in the states. This plantation I would certinaley do a visit when I eventually get to New Orleans (it is on the list), but here, there is more history. I know slaverly can still be a hot topic and it is something I would want my young children to know, why it is wrong and why it is part of the history of the UK/USA, the lessons to learn from it. It is a huge subject, but to understand something like this, I always say you learn more at the places where events took place or in museums (much better than stuck at a desk in a classroom). I can understand what you felt when you saw the children slaves here, the only experience of this I have had (but not slaverly), was at Auschwitz in Poland and seeing photos of children at the death camps and reading what they experienced and what the Nazi Doctors did to them still haunts to me to this day. Great blog post and would love to explore here.ReplyCancel

The swamp tour sounds very interesting. I am certainly going to watch True Detective and The Vampire Diaries now. The children’s statues are heart wrenching though. The plantation looks beautiful but the slavery past is a little overwhelming.ReplyCancel

Those old houses in New Orleans are quite similar to many old Victorian houses and buildings here in Australia. It is amazing that New Orleans has preserved these places. So much history that tells a story, that needs to tell the new generation and not to forget.  ReplyCancel

Learning about the slavery past pained me quite a lot. But this destination is otherwise fabulous. Being inside a plantation area has it’s own charm and I can feel it right here. Reminds me of our visit to a tea plantation although the experience was a whole lot different. Would love the Swamp tour which would be a good change as have never experienced anything like this before.ReplyCancel

I’m in the southern US, but I haven’t even been to New Orleans. I need to change that! It’s so good that they honor the slaves by teaching the history. It’s so important to focus on them b/c they were such a huge part of daily life. I also had no idea you could take a swamp tour – so fun! ReplyCancel

I had no idea there were so many plantations available to tour in NO.  I love your photos and how they help to tell the story of the dark time in our country for slaves.  ReplyCancel

We have not yet taken a plantation tour on our visits to New Orleans.  But those views certainly bring up echos of Gone With The Wind in my mind.  A great way to get a glimpse of a different era in the south.  I would love to do a combo tour although I may be too freaked out about the idea of alligators to be that close to the water in the swamp.ReplyCancel

My first trip to the US was to the so-called Deep South and the still existing ‘segregation’ was quite shocking for a European. Since I wasn’t all wrapped in the gone-with-the-wind-feel but was mainly interested in how ‘the other half’, hence the slaves, lived, I go asked if I was doing studies. Yet, New Orleans was one of the less rassist cities on that trip – and I also went on a tour to the plantations and the bayous. No matter what – inspiring memories.ReplyCancel

This is the side of New Orleans we have not explored. I will remember the Oak Valley Plantation Tour. Those photos are awesome!ReplyCancel