st. joseph plantation

Amazing architecture. Tour guide gave a fabulous rendition of the history of both house and family. Spoke of them in such a loving way that you felt you knew them too! The fact that descendants work there warmed my heart. THAT is the meaning of family!

We visited this plantation in October and they did a "Mourning Tour" which made it different from other plantation homes in the area.Having just visited Oak Alley plantation, St Josephs made a much bigger impression, it felt more authentic.I had read that 12 years a slave was filmed here, but the tour guide advised it was filmed at Felicity's, which is behind St Josephs and currently not open to the public.Entrance fee was $15 per person.

Liked the fact that some of the tour guides are decedent's. The house is beautiful and the staff are very nice.

This plantation is unique in that it is a working planatation, a less elegant plantation, a family owned plantation and one that is Creole in design with some modifications. Our guide was a family member (as are all guides, I believe) who was very knowledgeable about the workings of the plantation and the family history. She spent a great deal of time showing us around and answering all of our questions. Of the three plantations in Vacherie this was the only one where we didn't feel as though we were being herded through the process. The family also owns the neighboring plantation, Felicite, where Twelve Years a Slave was filmed, but this is not open to the public. I did feel as though aspects of slavery were rather glossed over, but this was my only complaint and, as another reviewer stated, that wasn't the focus of the tour. What you get here is an inside look at a working plantation, a look at the history of the family, a bit of architectural history, and an explanation of sugar cane growing, harvesting and processing. The family is not trying to compete with the other plantations; they are just quietly going about their business and, luckily, sharing their history with those of us fortunate enough to stop for the tour. They have time to talk and answer your questions. Thank you!

We really enjoyed touring the sugar cane plantation. Our guide was personable and informative. It's amazing to think of how the waterways influenced the settling of the territory.

We had an outstanding tour of the lovely St. Joseph Plantation, a working sugarcane plantation in Vacherie, LA. Having as our knowledgeable guide, Jackie, a descendant on the last owner, was certainly a treat as she told of her life experiences on the plantation. Please be sure to add St. Joseph Plantation to your list is special places to visit in The New Orleans Plantation Country!

This is still a working Plantation with the harvesting of sugarcane (automated machinery). We were welcomed with southern charm from one of the decedents of the Plantation who led us on our tour. The tour focuses mostly on the time frame of the era regarding the home, the relatives who lived in the house and how they lived (and died), the past occupants who have succeeded as owners and the cultivation of sugarcane as a business. During the narration of the tour, the use of human slavery was brought up and wasn't denied as we made our way through the Plantation, but it wasn't the main focus of this tour either nor was it glorified, it was just presented as "matter of fact". After the tour and the short documentary on sugarcane, we were allowed to wonder around grounds and the surrounding buildings. There were blacksmith quarters and so forth but the slaves quarters were the most intriguing. They look as if they haven't been altered, except for electricity (apparent from the light switches, etc.) You can see in the distance, the sister Plantation (but not allowed on the property) where the movie "12 Years a Slave" was filmed. In the other direction, Oak Alley Plantation, down the road, was over crowded as we drove past. The St. Joseph's Plantation has piqued my interest in this era of American History and it was one of the highlights while in New Orleans.

Three Plantations next to each other yet, all entirely different. St. Joseph's is unique as a family owned and still operated sugar cane plantation. While not as elaborate as Oak Alley, it feels more like a working home, and the artifacts the family has displayed are authentic and interesting. The bath tub, called a bonnet tub for its shape is unique, as are some of the human hair mourning broaches. The guide was a charming southern lady, who spoke fondly of the family members who still routinely volunteer at the plantation every week. Mr. Jim, a ninety year old that tends them yard, can been seen working around the yard on Tuesday's, if you are lucky enough to be here then, he loves to visit! A great spot, well worth it.

This home was lovingly restored by family members just before it was too late. The entire group met for months restoring it so that you can get an idea of it's former life. It's not a ritzy home like one down the road but a true home of a comfortable sugar cain grower. The tour guides are very personable and can teach you much about the history of the home and the many families who lived there. It's a hands on tour and good for kids to move and to touch things.

We went to two plantations this visit, and St. Joseph's stood out as being a down-home sort of experience will worth the trip. The plantation was restored and tours offered by descendants of the family who purchased the plantation in 1870. They not only knew the history of the plantation well, but also of the surrounding houses. The gift shop is also well stocked. Highly recommend this for a visit.

Very nice tour of plantation by a family member who is still a part owner. Tour provided a lot of history about the home and all its owners and the history of Sugar Cane Farming. Very nice home and plantation. I definitely recommend taking a tour of this home.

We had only enough time to visit one plantation before going on a cruise trip, hesitated between St. Joseph and Oak Alley. I am glad that we visited St. Joseph. Very knowledgeable guide and rich family history. Our two teenagers absolutely enjoyed the tour.

We toured several plantations on our way home from New Orleans, and St Joseph was our favorite by far. It is still a family-owned, operational sugar cane plantation that allows a fascinating glimpse into the lives of that era.Admission includes a tour of the main house (very lovingly maintained) and numerous buildings on the property -- carpenter and blacksmith shops, schoolhouse and the slave cabins.The neighboring plantation -- Felicite -- is owned by the same family, and was used as a filming location for multiple movies, including 12 Years a Slave. Unfortunately it is currently closed to the public, but will hopefully be restored one day.If you have time to visit just one plantation in Louisiana, I definitely recommend to go to St Joseph.

While I would not compare our plantation visit to palaces of Europe, that was an interesting view on the way real people lived 300, 200, 100 years prior to us. Both from cultural prospective and ordinary way of life.Out guide was the woman from the family who bought plantation after the Civil War. She told us the history of the region, people and events you usually won't find in history books.

I understand it is a Jesuit retreat center and gorgeous. the oak trees are beautiful. There is a church across the dike along the river road. It is beautiful and the grotto inside is lovely and so old and a must see.