PLANTATION LIFE

A plantation is a large agricultural business which produces a cash crop for sale for profit. It consists of all the things needed to support its people and grow, harvest, and sell that crop. In Louisiana, the most important cash crops were cotton (grown in the central and northern parts of the state) and sugar cane (grown in the south). Historically, sugar cane was the more profitable of the two.

A large, productive work force was critical to a plantation's success. Also important was the series of outbuildings or support structures that helped the workers function. These included kitchens, privies, barns, quarters houses, and buildings containing the equipment needed to process the harvested crop. Also known as "dependencies," almost all were very plain and utilitarian. Many were poorly constructed and did not survive.

The plantation house was less important than the working dependencies. Although a smattering of grand two-story mansions with imposing and impressive columns were built (mostly in the Greek Revival style) by the wealthiest sugar and cotton kings, this type of house is basically a stereotype promoted by Hollywood. The typical plantation house was a one- or one-and-one-half story cottage with a columned gallery.

The plantation system changed, but did not end, with the Civil War. In fact, plantations still operate in Louisiana today.