Special to
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN — Local schools and groups will have an opportunity to view plantation life this spring as Destrehan Plantation’s annual Spring Heritage Day — from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 on the plantation grounds at 13034 River Road in Destrehan — is welcoming students of all ages to learn about the self-sufficient lives of the free and enslaved who lived and worked on the plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Festival highlights include open hearth cooking/slave fare, the Big Red Barn farm animals, 18th and 19th century vintage music and dancing, Civil War encampment, appearances from other historical sites and Colonial American exhibits.

Folk life demonstrations on weaving, spinning, candle making, blacksmithing, duck decoy carving, bousillage construction, calligraphy and carpentry are planned.

Another major feature of this educational event is hands-on experiences in some of the featured folk life crafts.  

The event is open to the general public.

Pre-registration is required for school groups. Cost of admission is $7 per student, teacher and chaperones.

School groups are allowed one complementary teacher admission per 25 students.

The admission fee includes all festival highlights, performances, demonstrations and exhibits. A tour of Destrehan Plantation is an additional $5.

To register, contact Angie Matherne at 985-764-9315 or destreheritage@aol.com.