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Kent Plantation House
Kent Plantation House.jpg
Kent Plantation House is located in Louisiana
Kent Plantation House
Location in Louisiana
Kent Plantation House is located in the United States
Kent Plantation House
Location in the United States
Location 3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria, Louisiana, USA
Area 4 acres (1.6 ha)
Built 1800
Architect Pierre Baillio II
Architectural style Greek Revival, Creole architecture
NRHP reference No. 71000362
Added to NRHP August 5, 1971

The Kent Plantation House is the oldest building still standing in Central Louisiana. It's a special place listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. You can find it in Alexandria, in Rapides Parish. This plantation house helps us understand what life was like on a southern plantation between 1795 and 1855. The main house was built in 1800. It was constructed by people who were enslaved by Pierre Baillio. Today, this unique bousillage Creole house and its restored old buildings are a popular spot for visitors to learn about history.

Exploring History at Kent House

The Kent Plantation House shows us how people lived long ago. It has many original artifacts. These items belonged to the people who worked and lived there. They help tell the story of the house's past.

Historic Buildings and Rooms

The inside of the main house was carefully restored. H. Parrott Bacot, a museum expert, helped with this project. The house is filled with furniture from the 1800s. These pieces include Federal, Sheraton, and Empire styles.

There are several smaller buildings around the main house. Each one had a special job:

  • The Milk House was built between 1820 and 1830. This is where dairy products like cheese, milk, and butter were made and kept cool.
  • The Slave Cabin shows the simple living conditions. This is where enslaved people on the plantation lived.
  • The Blacksmith Shop was built around 1815. Here, a blacksmith would make and repair metal tools.
  • The Kitchen has a large, open fireplace. This was used for all the cooking.

Understanding the Marker Text

At the front entrance of the Kent Plantation House, there is a special sign. This sign is called a marker text. It tells a brief history of the place.

The marker text says:

Kent House, the oldest known standing structure in Rapides Parish, was built by Pierre Baillio, completed in 1800.

Baillio constructed the house on land received through a Spanish land grant circa 1794.

It's important to know that the house was actually built by enslaved people. They did all the hard work to construct it. Pierre Baillio owned the land and oversaw the building.

Gallery

  • Kent House, Alexandria, LA, closeup of building IMG 4211

    A close-up view of the historic plantation house.

  • Kent Plantation House Visitor Center, Alexandria, LA IMG 4182

    The Visitor Center, where tours begin.

  • Tour guide at Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4216

    An outdoor tour guide sharing stories at Kent House.

  • Milk House, Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4212

    The Milk House, built before 1830.

  • Utensils inside the Milk House at Kent Plantation House IMG 4186

    Different tools used inside the Milk House.

  • Kitchen at Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4214

    The kitchen, where meals were prepared.

  • Open hearth cooking, Kent Plantation House IMG 4213

    Cooking over an open fire, a weekly activity at Kent House.

  • Laundry facilities at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4219

    The laundry room, where clothes were washed.

  • Barn at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4234

    The barn at Kent House.

  • Blacksmith shop, Kent Plantation House IMG 4228

    The blacksmith shop, where metalwork was done.

  • Bamboo hammer, Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4227

    A unique wooden hammer.

  • Cotton plants at Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4229

    Cotton plants growing at Kent House.

  • Oak tree at Kent House in Alexandria, LA IMG 4245

    A tall, old oak tree at Kent House.

  • Syrup-making center at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4247

    The area where cane syrup was made.

  • Cane syrup at Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA, IMG 4238

    Cane syrup ready for use in a trough.

  • Bottle tree, Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4246

    A bottle tree, believed to ward off bad spirits.

  • Bousillage exhibit, Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4188

    An exhibit showing Bousillage, a building material made of clay and grass.

  • Indoor tour guide at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4208

    An indoor tour guide explaining the house's history.

  • Dining table at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4191

    The dining table, with a fan powered by servants.

  • Parlor at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4196

    The parlor, a room for entertaining guests.

  • Boys' bed at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4189

    The boys' bedroom.

  • Girls' bedroom at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4201

    The girls' bedroom.

  • Master bedroom at Kent Plantation House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4206

    The master bedroom.

  • Bathtub at Kent House, Alexandria, LA IMG 4207

    The bathtub in the master bedroom.

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