Slavery in Louisiana - a Visit to Whitney Plantation - Episode 231

Slavery in Louisiana - a Visit to Whitney Plantation - Episode 231

Author: Mark Bologna May 29, 2025 Duration: 1:00:09

Slavery in Louisiana - a Visit to Whitney Plantation

In today's episode, we learn about slavery in Louisiana. We visit Whitney Plantation, located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. The Whitney is the only plantation whose primary focus is on the slaves who worked, lived, and died along this stretch of the Mississippi River.

My guest today is Joy Banner, Director of Marketing at Whitney. Joy is also a native of the nearby community and is a descendant of the slaves at Whitney.

On today's show, you'll learn...

  • About the people who were kidnapped, sold into slavery, and came to work at the Whitney and other plantations along River Road.
  • You'll meet some of the slaves and hear their surprising connections to modern day New Orleanians.
  • You'll gain insight into the conditions they endured, and what plantation life was like for the enslaved.
  • Most plantations along River Road were sugar plantations, so you'll also learn about the process of making granulated sugar on a plantation.

"We ask African Americans to get over it, but we don't really understand what the it is."  - John Cummings, owner of Whitney Plantation

Resources

Whitney Plantation - located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. For more information about Whitney Plantation, visit their website.

Thank You

Thanks to Joy Banner for welcoming my wife and I to Whitney Plantation. Joy took us around the grounds on a day when they were closed, patiently answered all of our questions, then made time two days later for the interview.

 

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Contact Us

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Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to mark@beyondbourbonst.com

Thanks for listening!

Mark


Mark Bologna's Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans is a deep, resonant conversation with a city that defies easy definition. This isn't a surface-level tour; it's an immersion into the living culture that pulses in the neighborhoods far from the well-trodden paths. Each episode is built on the understanding that the soul of New Orleans is found in its details: the history baked into a brick wall in the Bywater, the family stories behind a specific gumbo recipe, the social traditions that shape second line parades, and the quiet courtyards known only to locals. You'll hear from chefs, musicians, historians, and everyday residents who share their personal connections to the Crescent City's intricate tapestry. The podcast naturally moves between past and present, exploring how centuries of history directly inform the city's contemporary character, from its vibrant arts scene to its complex social dynamics. For travelers, it offers invaluable context that transforms a visit from a simple vacation into a meaningful experience. For locals, it's a celebration and a rediscovery of home. And for anyone listening from afar, it provides a rich, authentic portrait of a place often misunderstood. Tune in for stories that go beyond the guidebook, revealing the true heartbeat of one of the world's most captivating cities.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
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