By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Destrehan Plantation will host its 16th annual Spring Heritage Day on Tuesday, April 29.

The plantation, located at 13034 River Road in Destrehan, will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all public, private and home-schooled children in third-through-eighth grade.

Spring Heritage Day provides students the opportunity to observe, participate in and learn about various folk-life arts of years past. Students will lean about the various cultures woven into Louisiana’s unique and blended history.

Heritage Day exhibits and demonstrations include pottery, quilting, calligraphy, candle making, blacksmithing and duck carving. Historical sites represented at Heritage Day include St. Joseph’s Plantation, the Hermann-Grima House, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and the Beauregard-Keyes House.

Highlights also include the history of bonfires in the River Region and gospel songs by the McDonogh 35 choir.

A performance stage will also be available for student presentations of songs, writings and plays about Louisiana history. All student performances must be scheduled in advance.

“This special day gives students of all levels an opportunity to learn about life long ago in an authentic setting through hands-on experiences and various presentations,” said Angela Matherne, education coordinator at Destrehan Plantation. “This event is also set to instill in students a greater appreciation of the hard work, craftsmanship and perseverance of our ancestors.”

Matherne said Spring Heritage Day relates the life skills of the past to the arts of today, all while meeting content requirements of the classroom at all levels.

The cost for student and teacher admission is $7 and includes all festival offerings. A tour of Destrehan Plantation is an additional $5.

A concession stand selling chips, drinks, candy, pizza, hot dogs and other food will be available during the event. Participants are also welcome to bring in bag lunches.

Spring Heritage Day is sponsored by the River Road Historical Society, the Azby Foundation and the St. Charles Art Guild. All proceeds from the event support the Heritage Education Program of Destrehan Plantation.

Those interested can register online or receive more information at plantationedu.com or by calling 985-764-9315.