Genealogist, local historian visited Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation grandson

Connor visiting Laurel Valley Planation
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

In the early hours of the morning on a  beautiful Sunday, Eddie Ponds, owner, and publisher of The Drum Newspaper, along with my grandson Connor and I visited the Laurel Valley Plantation. This historic sugarcane plantation is located in Thibodaux and has been operating for over one hundred and fifty years. A short video on YouTube about Laurel Valley Plantation made me want to visit it as soon as possible. It wasn't long before that day came. It's an hour and forty-five-minute drive from my house, so that wasn't too far to travel on such a lovely Sunday morning. 

The plantation covers about 3,400 acres and includes   several outbuildings, and slave quarters. The plantation was established in 1830 by Joseph Tucker, a Virginian, who purchased more than 50, 000 acres of land along beautiful Bayou Lafourche. African enslaved people, as well as their descendants, worked on the plantation for decades until the Civil War ended. Currently, the plantation offers guided tours that focus on the history of the plantation's enslaved and their lives while working and living there.

Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about sugarcane cultivation, the history of the plantation, and
the daily lives of the enslaved people who lived there. The plantation also hosts events throughout the year, including a fall festival and a Christmas open house. At present, the property is still being used as a sugarcane farm.  Plantations like this are still profitable today. During our drive past the cabins, I could not help but think about how life must have been for those enslaved during those times. As I pondered the hardships they endured, I felt a deep ache in my heart. I thought about how little had changed in the years since they were freed from the chains of slavery. I felt a deep sadness for their suffering and a sense of helplessness in the face of such injustice. 

My grandson and I discussed the experience on our way home. He pointed out that seeing the cabins made him think about what it was like living as an enslaved person and how hard they had it.He found it difficult to wrap his head around the idea of being a slave, and the immense amount of courage and strength it must have taken to endure such hardship. "Looking at the small cabins, I couldn't help but think about the number of people living in them," said Connor. He was amazed by the courage and strength of the former enslaved and was humbled by the freedom he has today. "I was filled with admiration for those who had to endure such difficult living conditions," Connor reflected. He pointed out how he clearly understood why he shouldn't take anything for granted. I hope that he share what he learned with his siblings and friends.

The issues of Critical Race Theory and the removal of historical truths from classrooms really emphasize to me why I must continue teaching my grandchildren about their history. It was time to take the history class on the road. This experience has made me even more passionate about ensuring that my grandchildren learn the correct version of historyso that they can better understand the reality of the world they live in. I have been able to provide them with an in-depth understanding of how the past has shaped the present and how our actions today will shape our future. Teaching them the truth has been an invaluable experience and I look forward to continuing this journey with my grandchildren.

Antoinette Harrell visiting Laurel Valley Plantation
Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste