this post was submitted on 07 Apr 2024
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If you're going to be down in Edgard (pronounced "Eddurd" by the locals) on the Highway 18 plantation row then know there are many others in the same area, some of which are also trying to do the right thing by their slavery history, though the Whitney is totally focused on the slavery aspect, and you won't find that in many other places.
Laura Plantation is one I can think of down there that also has extensive slavery focus and reconstructions, if you're open to that. If I think of any others I'll update this comment; it's been a few years since I last went and they all start to blend after a while, lol.
The plantation area is a bit of a drive from New Orleans, but once you're there you're there, so you can get in two or three historical sites in a day if you want. My pro tip is that there's literally nothing else in Edgard, so make sure you bring a cooler with lunch for everyone and lots of cold beverages, because you're gonna be doing a lot of walking, and you'll get hungry long before you make it back to New Orleans.
You can also check out the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail of which the Whitney is a part, if that interests you.
EDITED TO ADD: Evergreen Plantation is one of the ones with extensive slave buildings and recreations, and it too is down on plantation row in Edgard, so check it out. It is also on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail and has a big focus on the entire history, not whitewashing or leaving out the slavery, as well as actively sponsoring a slavery database and genealogical studies.
The Evergreen Plantation website - be sure to check out the virtual tour
Oh man. Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately we’re not going to have a car so we’ll me at the mercy of whatever tour operator we go with.
I see. That's actually easier for you because you won't have to try to find the houses you want to see and you won't have to drive. Instead of a cooler bring a big snack bag (wrap cold drinks in face towels from your hotel), because there are plenty of places outside most of the big houses to sit and eat. Snacks on site -- if they even have them -- always cost a fortune, so this way you have options.
And be sure to check out all the proposed plantations on the tour before you go, starting with Wikipedia and working out from there. I wrote a much longer comment upthread, but the best way to know whether a given house is doing right by its own history is whether they have bothered to recreate or restore the slave quarters, and/or are supporting studies and archaeological digs at the slave quarter sites. Both Laura and Evergreen have that. But you should already have a list, so it will be easy to check out. Have a great trip!