This is an old plantation that is currently being restored and turned into a museum in memory of slaves that were on the old plantation and to educate visitors on the effects slavery had on society. We met with Mr. John Cummings, who is leading the restoration efforts, along with a history professor who has helped research the plantation's past.
We got a tour of the grounds and got to see everything from the main house to the slave quarters. An especially moving part was The Field of Angels, which had a statue in memory of the child slaves, which really made you think more about the horrible cycle of slavery - that there was really no way out. It also had the names of children who had passed away on the plantation and some quotes taken from oral accounts giving insight into a slave's daily life. Visiting this plantation really gave all of us a really personal experience and we were able to learn a lot about the conditions that these people lived in.
Getting a look into social issues that plagued Louisiana in the past was a great way to start the week and discuss how these past issues still affect the region today. For the rest of the week, we will be working in urban and environmental restoration from Hurricane Katrina so having a greater knowledge of the social and political history of New Orleans was highly beneficial. And not to mention that Mr. Cummings took us out to have great Louisiana seafood on his dime! New Orleans is treating us well!
Walter Orr
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