Whitney Plantation

Overview

Whitney Plantation educates the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. Visitors to the museum will learn about the history of slavery through a combination of exhibits, an hour and 15-minute audio tour, and through short lectures conducted by our staff of Interpreters. 

 

The Exhibits: 

Exhibits in the visitor center are free to the public and are open from 9:30am to 4:15pm, Wednesday through Monday.  

 Permanent Exhibits: 

• The History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade 

This exhibit is a brief overview about the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade (TAST). It includes information about how the trade began, which European countries were involved, and where Africans were captured and forcibly migrated along routes of trade that extended both to the west and east of the African continent. 

 

• Slavery in Louisiana 

Focused on the history of slavery in Louisiana from 1719-1865, visitors learn about all aspects of slavery in this state. Including the history of the Code Noir, topics of gender, and resistance & rebellion. 

*We recommend visiting this exhibit prior to the audio tour. 

 

Rotating Exhibit: 

• Grass, Scrap, Burn: Life & Labor at Whitney Plantation After Slavery

How did the  system of slavery transform after 1865 into a wage working system on the property that became Whitney Plantation? Through first-person accounts and plantation records, this exhibit details the experiences of those who continued to live and work on this sugarcane and rice farm through 1975. 

 

 The Whitney Plantation Audio Tour: 

Admission Required. Purchase tickets by clicking here. 

 Length: 1 hour and 15-minutes, at your own pace. 

Accessibility: The tour is fully transcribed and is available in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, German, and Mandarin. 

 From its founding in 1752 by Ambroise Haydel, to the death of Marie Azélie Haydel in 1860, this site was known as Habitation Haydel. During this period, members of the Haydel family enslaved generations of Africans and African descendant people. Visitors will learn about the lives and experiences of enslaved people while being guided through memorial grounds and historic structures.  

The tour has a total of 14 stops. On the route are plenty of shaded rest areas, large site maps, and pathway signage to assist visitors along the way. The pathways are made of gravel and are suitable for those that rely on walking aids for assistance. 

 

Conversations with Interpreters: 

Included in the price of admission. 

 The visitor experience at Whitney Plantation is enhanced through engaging with knowledgeable members of our Interpretive staff. Throughout your visit, there are many opportunities to meet and engage in conversation with us. All staff Interpreters are well-researched and ready to speak with visitors about many aspects of the history of slavery in the United States.

 

Additional Information:

Because the tour is outside, we recommend that our visitors prepare for weather appropriately by bringing umbrellas, sunscreen, and bug spray, as necessary. We also recommend comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel pathways.

We operate tours rain or shine.