Page 155 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

UPPER MISSISSIPPI PLANT A TIONS  153

but afterward it deteriorated
rapidly. In 1906, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Percy restored it, salvaging
the marble mantels and silver
hinges and doorknobs.
Tragically, in 1960, lightning
destroyed the entire structure,
except for the 28 massive Doric
columns. It has since been
restored, and visitors can once
again see the splendor of the
70-ft- (21-m)-long central hall
and the rest of the interior.
Greenwood runs a B&B and is
a popular venue for weddings.
Greenwood Plantation, one of the largest American-style plantations
E The Myrtles
7747 Hwy 61, St. Francisville. Tel (225) cedar and cypress, has a double colonial architecture was adapted
635-6277. Open 9am–5pm daily. gallery supported by Doric to the Louisiana climate. The
Closed major hols. & 8 7 columns. Other sections of the surrounding bosky paradise
∑ myrtlesplantation.com house feature Georgian details. is inhabited by numerous
A leader of the Whiskey The Turnbull family owned species of birds.
Rebellion (1794) in Pennsylvania, and operated the plantation In 1821, naturalist John James
Judge David Bradford fled south from 1835 to 1955. Practically Audubon (see p113) and his
and established this plantation all of the contents of the house assistant arrived to teach
in 1796. He built the north wing are original, including rosewood daughter Eliza Pirrie dancing,
of the house and in the early furniture by Mallard and music, drawing, and math. He
1800s, his daughter and her Seignoret, portraits by Thomas and his assistant received room
husband, Judge Clark Woodruff, Sully, brocade draperies, and and board and $60 a month.
added the 107-ft- (36-m)-long marble mantels. Daniel The arrangement did not last,
gallery. Ruffin Gray Stirling and Martha Turnbull, who and he left after only four
bought the house in 1834, established the plantation in months, having quarreled with
and added the south wing. 1835, purchased most of the his employer. Still, in that brief
Local legend says that several furnishings on their initial Grand time he began at least 32 bird
murders were committed here Tour of Europe in 1834 and on portraits, which later appeared
and that the house is haunted. subsequent trips abroad. The in The Birds of America. Today,
Special tours on Friday and grounds contain a kitchen visitors can see the room
Saturday nights highlight its building, the doctor’s office, Audubon stayed in and wander
haunted history. Bed-and- a barn, and a gardener’s the trails around the property.
breakfast accommodation is tool house. The 28 acres of Magnolias, beeches, and
also available. French-style gardens are poplars still shelter abundant
exquisite too. Martha Turnbull bird life in the state park
was a well-known horticulturist, surrounding the house.
who introduced the first azaleas
and camellias to the region.
In 2000, the state of Louisiana
purchased the plantation from
a private owner, who had
unfortunately sold some of the
original furnishings. The estate
has been renovated and now
offers a fascinating 45-minute
The handsome cast-iron veranda tour of the house and grounds.
surrounding The Myrtles
P Oakley House and
E Rosedown Plantation Audubon State Historic Site
12501 Hwy 10, St Francisville. Hwy 965, St. Francisville. Tel (225)
Tel (225) 635-3332. Open 9am–5pm 635-3739. Open 9am–5pm daily.
daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25, Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25, Jan 1.
Jan 1. & 8 & 8
Rosedown is one of the largest Wealthy Scottish immigrant
and most complete of the James Pirrie built this house
plantations along the river. The between 1808 and 1810, and Study used by John James Audubon in
gabled central structure, built of it is a fine example of the way Oakley House

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