Rosedown Plantation

Rosedown Plantation (circa 1835)

It was late January, when we detoured off the interstate to explore some regional history, and go visit a southern plantation.

Along “River Road”, a term referring to the great Mississippi River, is the small town of St. Francisville, Louisiana in West Feliciana parish.

Many plantations existed within proximity to the River, as a means of transporting crops and other merchantable goods. Goods sold down River in New Orleans usually meant the seller returned home with a pocket full of “Dixies” – the local bank note issued by the Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana. Dix being the French word for ten, hence a $10 dix. This note is one of the multiple theories on why the south is referred to as Dixieland.

Rosedown spanned upward to 3,455 acres at the height of it most productive years before the civil war, primarily planted in cotton, and had about 28 acres of formal gardens.

The plantation had as many as 450 slaves that were responsible for the construction of the main house, outbuildings, gardens and overall operations.

Driving down the country lane you start to feel embraced by the Spanish moss and white rail fencing, that leads to a formal gate and inner drive leading to the front of the main house.

We explored the gardens, while waiting for the tour to begin, and can imagine the extent of labor required to build and care for every square inch of the gardens.

The grounds include statues, fountains, greenhouses, root cellars, formal hedges and several seating areas to enjoy plants when in bloom. Only a few azaleas and camellia bushes were in bloom in late January, but the many paths to wander the grounds were impressive.

Glazed wallpaper panels and painted floors adorn the foyer.

The workmanship of this period was exquisite, especially the hand-turned mahogany banister. The remarkable condition of the property is in part attributable to 10-year renovation by a subsequent owner, but also the Cypress wood used in construction that was cut from nearby swamps, as it is known for its longevity.

Every bedroom displays elaborate quilts, ornate furniture and incomparable wood work and moulding.

The bedrooms originally had hand-hewn wood floors, covered in a woven fiber, kind of like a rush wall-to-wall mat.

Square Grand piano keys were less likely to stick based on the horizontal string and hammer arrangement.

The piano was in the music room – a small room that seated the family and was a good choice of instrument based on the room size. We were very impressed with the knowledge of our guide, and lucky to enjoy her sharing a piece on the square grand piano.