Recently I read Richard Rhodes biography of John James Audubon. One of the places Audubon travelled to in his quest to find and draw the Birds of America was Oakley Plantation. He was here for four months in 1821 to teach drawing to Eliza Purrie the daughter of James Purrie. Audubon’s agreement with the Purrie’s was that they would pay him $60 per month to teach Eliza in the morning and he would then roam the woods, fields and bayou’s in the afternoons observing, sketching, and shooting the birds he would then paint.
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The Oakley Plantation is now owned by the State of Louisiana and we began our visit with the film and exhibits in their small visitor’s center. Then we walked the path toward the house and enjoyed the scene and the garden until it was time for the tour. The house is set in the federal period from 1795 to 1825 so its furnishings are more like Williamsburg than Tara. The walls have framed first additions of Audubon prints.
After the tour we walked among the outbuildings, a barn, a few slave cabins, and the detached kitchen. Then took a break to sit in the garden and on the shaded veranda. Then we followed the nature trail through the woods.
Most of our time in Louisiana has been in the flat and watery portions of the state we are now further north and there are woods and ravines. It is a very different scene.
Most of our time in Louisiana has been in the flat and watery portions of the state we are now further north and there are woods and ravines. It is a very different scene.
Harry had a conference call this afternoon so I took the opportunity to wander to the antique shops and boutiques in the historic district and visit the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum. This area is called the Feliciana’s (East and West). The Spanish rulers named this area Feliciania thinking that it would bring peace and prosperity. The prosperity first came from indigo and then cotton. Today the marketing of the Audubon brand helps drive the economy. There is the Audubon Market, Audubon Café, Audubon Lounge and the Audubon Pilgrimage weekend.