Last antebellum plantation in Arkansas

I had to get my dictionary out to look up the definition of antebellum :  “. . .relating to the period before the Civil War.” 

On our list of must-see things to do in the Lake Village, Arkansas area was Lakeport Plantation built in 1859 by slaves and the only remaining Arkansas plantation on the Mississippi River. It was gifted to Arkansas State University who is restoring it as a museum dedicated to interpreting the people and cultures that shaped plantation life in the Mississippi Delta.  Very impressive to me is the effort being taken to authentically reproduce and restore this lovely house to its former grace and beauty.

Side view of the home. Kitchen and commissary are in the attached rear section.

I don’t know if its that nowadays we see so many “McMansions” but it doesn’t seem as large as I would expect a plantation home to be. 

The family’s day-to-day life was mainly lived on the second floor which has a large “dressing” room, three bedrooms, a nursery, a common space where the family gathered.

The first floor was designed for and reserved for entertaining visitors. It has a large impressive entry hall, a music room, dining room, two parlors (north and south), a drawing room and ladies sitting room.

I love the very tall entry door with its etched glass side panels.

Why are the shutters on the left closed?  It is the exterior wall of the master bedroom where the huge poster bed sits and  Mrs. Johnson did not want a window behind her bed.  But, of course, the symmetrical design of the house would be ruined if there were no window!  Thus, a false window!

I took this photo through the window after the tour.  All of the fireplace mantles are made of wood which was faux painted to look like marble or stone.  I was puzzled by how shallow they are.  Our tour guide explained that they wanted the warmth of the fire to reach out into the room.  It also occurred to me that this is Southern Arkansas, they didn’t need much heating!

Probably my favorite feature of this house.  The tall walk-through windows permit walking out on the verandahs; they also increase air circulation.  These are in the alcove in the music room but are a prominent feature throughout the home.

As I walked through I imagined myself strolling through the house  wearing a huge hoop skirt and large picture hat.  Nice dream uh!

Can you see the beautiful intricate design of this bell?  It was donated to Lakeport Plantation by the owners of Luna Plantation which not longer exists.

A child’s crypt in the small cemetery. Note the cotton fields in the background.

I had to add this wood replica of Lakeport Plantation to the collection I display at Christmas.  My other’s are Shelia’s Collectible’s  and this is made by  "The Cat’s Meow” but is still compatible with my collection. 

My Shelia’s Collectibles collection.  Lakeport Plantation will be up there this Christmas.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the plantation but isn’t it a cute name for a catfish house?  Gary says that the catfish was good too!  (He has been eating catfish everywhere!  Jim Alexander’s is still his favorite.)  In addition to  traditional burgers, fried chicken etc. the menu also includes hush puppies, catfish bread, frog legs and nanna pudding.  Southern cuisine is SO good!