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Oakland Plantation (Natchez, Louisiana)
Encyclopedia
Oakland Plantation was originally known as the Jean Pierre Emmanuel Prud'homme Plantation. It is also known as Bermuda. Declared a National Historic Landmark
in 2001, it is part of Cane River Creole National Historical Park
near Natchitoches, Louisiana
.
The plantation is associated with Atahoe Plantation and Isle Brevelle, and is near Magnolia
and Melrose
plantations.
off Highway 119 in the Bermuda Community near Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 1997, the National Park Service
acquired the main buildings and surrounding land of Oakland. Since then, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park
has progressed to advanced stages to preserve and conserve the buildings, furniture, oil paintings, textile
s, and history of the home as it was at the end of the plantation era in the 1960s. The plantation includes interpretation of the history of free blacks and Creoles of color
who lived and worked on the plantation for nearly 100 years after the American Civil War
and Emancipation
. They were all integral to the region's community life. The community has strongly associated the plantation with the Prud'homme family, many of whom still reside in the area today.
The original owners, Jean-Pierre Emanuel Prud'homme and his wife Marie Catherine Lambre Prud'homme, completed building Oakland in 1821. The family tradition claims that Oakland was one of the first plantations to grow cotton on a large scale. They also had farm animals (made evident by extant buildings such as the dipping vat, the turkey shed, the mule barn, two pigeonniers and several chicken coops) and other crops. The Prudhommes also owned and operated a store on the property, which was the site of the Bermuda US Post Office
for many years. The farm flourished in the late 1800s. J. Alphonse Prudhomme I won the gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis for growing the highest-grade cotton in the South
.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 2001, it is part of Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Cane River Creole National Historical Park is located within the Cane River National Heritage Area in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The United States National Historical Park protects a total of 67 historic structures at two locations, Magnolia Plantation and Oakland Plantation. Both plantation...
near Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
.
The plantation is associated with Atahoe Plantation and Isle Brevelle, and is near Magnolia
Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)
Magnolia Plantation is a former plantation in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Included in the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Magnolia Plantation is also a destination on the Louisiana African American Heritage...
and Melrose
Melrose Plantation
Melrose Plantation, also known as Yucca Plantation, is a National Historic Landmark in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana. This is one of the largest plantations in the United States built by and for free blacks...
plantations.
History
Oakland Plantation is situated on a bend on the Cane River LakeCane River Lake
Cane River Lake is a 35 mi oxbow lake formed from a portion of the Red River in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. It runs throughout the Natchitoches' historic district to the south and is famous for the numerous plantations, particularly Melrose being located on or near its...
off Highway 119 in the Bermuda Community near Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 1997, the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
acquired the main buildings and surrounding land of Oakland. Since then, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Cane River Creole National Historical Park is located within the Cane River National Heritage Area in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The United States National Historical Park protects a total of 67 historic structures at two locations, Magnolia Plantation and Oakland Plantation. Both plantation...
has progressed to advanced stages to preserve and conserve the buildings, furniture, oil paintings, textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s, and history of the home as it was at the end of the plantation era in the 1960s. The plantation includes interpretation of the history of free blacks and Creoles of color
Creoles of color
The Creoles of Color are a historic ethnic group of Louisiana, especially the city of New Orleans.-History:During Louisiana’s colonial period, Creole referred to people born in Louisiana with ancestors from elsewhere; i.e., all natives other than Native Americans. They used the term to separate...
who lived and worked on the plantation for nearly 100 years after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and Emancipation
Emancipation
Emancipation means the act of setting an individual or social group free or making equal to citizens in a political society.Emancipation may also refer to:* Emancipation , a champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse foaled in 1979...
. They were all integral to the region's community life. The community has strongly associated the plantation with the Prud'homme family, many of whom still reside in the area today.
The original owners, Jean-Pierre Emanuel Prud'homme and his wife Marie Catherine Lambre Prud'homme, completed building Oakland in 1821. The family tradition claims that Oakland was one of the first plantations to grow cotton on a large scale. They also had farm animals (made evident by extant buildings such as the dipping vat, the turkey shed, the mule barn, two pigeonniers and several chicken coops) and other crops. The Prudhommes also owned and operated a store on the property, which was the site of the Bermuda US Post Office
United States Post Office Department
The Post Office Department was the name of the United States Postal Service when it was a Cabinet department. It was headed by the Postmaster General....
for many years. The farm flourished in the late 1800s. J. Alphonse Prudhomme I won the gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis for growing the highest-grade cotton in the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
.