OPEN HEARTH COOKING-Mondays
The Cuisine, or cooking building, was recently completed.
Open hearth cooking is demonstrated each Monday. Cooking
was done using various pots, kettles and Dutch ovens.
An entire meal could be prepared with the use of a Dutch
oven, a pot with a lid. A main fire was used to create
hot coals or embers that were placed on the lid or under
the pot to slow cook the food.
BOUSILLAGE CONSTRUCTION-Tuesdays
The method and materials used in the construction of
the plantation house was bousillage entre’pateaux,
mud between post. The bousillage is made of clay, river
sand and moss, to hold the mixture together. The bousillage
is formed into a tache’, a loaf, and hung on the
barreauxs, sticks between the cypress beams or posts,
that form the walls. The bousillage formed a solid mud
wall that was plastered and then painted. This bousillage
formed a wonderful and very effective insulation.
INDIGO DYEING-Wednesdays
Destrehan Plantation was originally an indigo plantation.
Indigo was grown, processed and exported from Destrehan
Plantation to various parts of the world. Indigo is
a type of plant that when processed is used to dye yarn
or threads to be woven into fabrics. During colonial
times, it was used basically for soldier uniforms. It
was not a very profitable industry so Plantation owner
Jean Noel Destrehan began growing sugar cane as his
major cash crop.
CANDLE MAKING-Thursdays
Candle making was a part of the everyday life for all
households away from the cities. In the cities such
as New Orleans candle makers, or chandlers as they were
often called, went from home to home to perform this
task. Candles were made of flax suet(animal fat) and
bees wax and sometimes scented with bayberry. Candles
were hand dipped or made with molds. Candle making was
a task that was often done by the lady of the house.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERBAL REMEDIES /
CARPENTRY - Alternating Fridays
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERBAL REMEDIES - Just as Africans brought their customs, traditions and religious beliefs with them from Africa, they also brought their medicinal remedies and cures. They also developed cures and remedies themselves. These remedies were highly valued by the white population of the plantation. This demonstration shows how honey, cow manure, leeches, herbs and other products were used as remedies. Some of these remedies are still used today.
CARPENTRY - Construction methods of the 1780's are demonstrated
with models and actual tools, includes millsawn, hand
hewn and the mortise and tenon joints. Also, compares
tools with their more modern counterparts to show how
improvements in technology impact building methods.
Once each weekday and on Saturday, visitors are treated
to a trade demonstration by costumed artisans of long-forgotten
skills that were a vital part of everyday life centuries
ago.
Destrehan Plantation has regained many authentic out-buildings.
The largest of these, the Mule Barn was donated by a
neighboring plantation and reconstructed on site. This
structure houses the many weddings, dinner parties,
group lunches and special events the Plantation hosts.
Special group tours for children can be arranged through
the Plantation’s award winning Heritage Education
Program. A vintage garden is located on the grounds,
thanks to the dedication and cultivation of local Master
Gardeners.
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