By Baileigh Rebowe

Contributing Writer

DESTREHAN – The River Road Historical Society Board of Directors hosted a gala reception at Destrehan Plantation Friday to celebrate the site winning the 2010 Travel and Tourism Industry Louey Award for Travel Attraction of the Year.

Nancy Robert, executive director of the Destrehan Plantation, said the board invited people who helped Robert and other staff members achieve their goal by assisting with projects that earned the plantation statewide recognition.

Gala guests were treated to food and drinks while also being serenaded by Local Option 2.

“Destrehan Plantation won the award, but it goes beyond that,” said Robert. “This is about the work we did together.”

Robert received the award in January at the Louisiana Travel Tourism Summit luncheon in Baton Rouge, put on by the Louisiana Office of Tourism Travel Association.

A panel of out-of-state judges chose Destrehan Plantation for the award from a field of 24 other nominations, according to Robert.

“This (award) is something we’ve been striving for, and it’s been a work in progress for 40 years,” Robert said.

Hazel Taylor, historian and special project coordinator at Destrehan Plantation, was ecstatic about the honor.

She said she feels the award is “a gift to all the community around here,” but also believes progress at the plantation is not over.

“We’ve become a place for schools to come on a daily basis, but our work is continuing, and we have a lot to look forward to,” Taylor said.

Robert is also excited about the future of education at the plantation and appreciated the recognition they have received from all over the country since winning the award.

“I had a group call from Miami and had buses come from New Jersey. This is just one step. We have more things planned for years to come,” said Robert.

The projects completed at Destrehan Plantation during the award phase include:

• The Herbert J. Harvey Jr. Legacy Room, a museum of documents belonging to members of the Destrehan family assisted by the Historic New Orleans Collection staff.

• The Historical Research Education Center, with a new exhibit on the 1811 Slave Revolt assisted by Tulane University and the African American Museum.

• The Heritage Education Program that works with area schools teaching them about Louisiana history and resources. This is assisted by Harry Hurst Middle School, St. Charles Parish Satellite Center Culinary Arts and Hotel Tourism classes and the Jefferson Parish Social Technology Department.

• New exhibits such as a real weaving house and a fishing exhibit featuring traps and other artifacts and assisted by plantation volunteers.

For more information about Destrehan Plantation, visit its website at www.destrehanplantation.org.