Educator Area

EZ Content Blueprint
The Raised Creole Plantation House

STANDARDS

The material in this unit may be used to address the following Social Studies Standards:

G-1C-E4	H-1A-E3	H-1A-M4	G-1D-E1
H-1D-M6	H-1B-H1

PURPOSE

Served as the big house on very prosperous rural Creole plantations

LOCATION

Southeast and south-central Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish

TYPES

Main living space (called premier etage) raised 6 to 8 feet on brick piers; area below living space open. (Attic present but not used.)

Two (or almost two) stories high; area beneath main living space (called premier etage) enclosed and used for storage -- called raised (above ground) basement. (Attic present but not used.)

FLOOR PLAN

Gallery

Full front gallery, usually on both levels, or
Gallery completely encircling house, usually on both levels
Exterior staircase rises to main floor
Sometimes with chamfered columns

Early examples have no hallways
Central halls added after Americans arrived

Rooms

Front at least two rooms wide; rooms share common central chimney
Width of more than two rooms possible
May have rear range three or more rooms wide
Cabinet/loggia range in place of rear gallery

ROOF TYPES

            Hipped
            Gable
            Double pitched A or B

WALLS

bousillage