Homeplace Plantation House facts for kids
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Homeplace Plantation House
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Homeplace Plantation in 1940
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Hahnville, Louisiana |
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| Area | 746 acres (302 ha) |
| Built | 1787 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000842 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
Homeplace Plantation House, also known as Keller Homestead, is a very old and special house in Hahnville, Louisiana. It's located in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, right on Louisiana Highway 18. This house is so important that it's been named a National Historic Landmark.
It was built a long time ago, between 1787 and 1791. It's one of the best examples of a "French colonial raised cottage" in the whole country. This is a special style of house from when Louisiana was a French colony. Because of its amazing architecture, it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Remember, this house is private property, so it's not open for people to visit.
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About Homeplace Plantation House
Homeplace Plantation House sits on the south side of the Mississippi River in Hahnville, Louisiana. This town is the main center for St. Charles Parish. The house is located near Louisiana Highway 18.
What the House Looks Like
This house has two stories and a special roof shape called a "hip roof." It also has a two-story porch that goes all the way around the house! The first floor is made of brick covered with stucco. The strong pillars holding up the second floor are also made of brick.
The upper part of the house, including the second-floor walls, floors, and ceilings, is made from cypress wood. The spaces between the wooden timbers in the walls were filled with clay and a plant called Spanish moss. Inside, some original parts are still there. You can see old wine racks in two basement storage rooms. The dining room even has its original marble floor.
A Look Back in Time
The house was built sometime between 1787 and 1791. We don't know for sure who it was built for. It was probably built by the same person who constructed another famous house called Parlange Plantation House. Homeplace Plantation House and Parlange are two of the best-preserved examples of French colonial architecture from that time.
In its early years, the house was owned by the Gaillard and Fortier families. Later, in 1889, a man named Pierre Anatole Keller bought it. That's why it's also known as the Keller Homestead.
Challenges for the Old House
Even though it's a National Historic Landmark, the house is not open to the public. Sadly, the empty house has been getting worse over time. An elderly owner, who was 93 years old, said he couldn't do the important repairs needed.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the house. It broke windows and harmed the roof. The hurricane also damaged the pigeonnier, which is a small building where pigeons used to be kept.
Images for kids
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Homeplace and Plantation, 2005
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Rear view, 2015
