Venues

Although a fire in 1963 destroyed the beautiful antebellum mansion, the gardens at Afton Villa are among the most famous and picturesque in the state. Beginning in 1972, Genevieve and Morrell Trimble undertook the task of restoring the grounds. Today the estate contains almost 35 acres of formal gardens and pleasure grounds, including the famous ruins gardens, a formal parterre garden, a daffodil valley, and a historic family cemetery. 

This three-story Colonial structure built circa 1806 features West Indian influences..  The interior has been restored to the late Federal period reflecting its appearance in 1821 when John James Audubon came as tutor to Eliza Pirrie.  Enchanted by the House's grounds and woods, he collected specimens and painted a number of his now famous bird studies.  The home and surrounding 100 acres and numerous outbuildings are preserved as a state historic site by the Office of State Parks.

Built by Daniel and Martha Turnbull in 1834, Rosedown remains one of the most majestic properties in the area. The gardens are as grand as the home and were the province of Martha Turnbull throughout her life. The gardens grew out from the house over a span of several years, to cover approximately 28 acres. Currently, the planter’s home, historic gardens, 13 historic buildings and 371 remaining acres of Rosedown Plantation are preserved as a state historic site by the Office of State Parks.

Begun in the 1790's by members of the same family that still occupies it today, Butler Greenwood Plantation exemplifies the early cultural influences of this unique corner of Louisiana.

A typical early raised, rambling English cottage-style home, Butler Greenwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The house is a private home in the original family and is no longer open for tours. But cottages are available to rent!

Surrounding the home are some fifty acres of landscaped grounds shaded by hundreds of ancient live oaks draped with Spanish moss. The boxwood parterres of the antebellum formal gardens and the sunken gardens along the entrance drive are filled with ancient camellias and azaleas of staggering size, as well as sweet olive, magnolia fuscata and other 19th-century plantings.  Like all early gardens, this one was so thoughtfully planned that there is nearly always something blooming, nearly always a nice fragrance in the air.  Cast-iron urns and benches date from the 1850s. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of unspoiled woodlands, Butler Greenwood has a huge population of birds and wildlife, including herons on the pond, white-tailed deer, fox, bobcats, and chipmunks.