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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
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 located in Alexandria, in Rapides Parish. This historic house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.

The plantation house shows what life was like in the southern United States between 1795 and 1855. It's a special "Creole" style house built using a mix called "bousillage." Many of the smaller buildings around the main house have been restored. Today, it's a popular place for visitors to learn about history.

History of the Kent Plantation House

The Kent Plantation House holds many original items from the people who lived and worked there. These items help us understand their daily lives.

Building the House

The house was built by a man named Pierre Baillio. He finished building it in the year 1800. Pierre Baillio built the house on land he received around 1794. This land was given to him through a special grant from the Spanish government.

Inside the House

An expert named H. Parrott Bacot helped restore the inside of the house. He made sure it looked just like it did long ago. The house and its smaller buildings are filled with furniture from the Federal, Sheraton, and Empire styles. These are types of furniture popular in the early 1800s.

Outbuildings and Daily Life

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

  • 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 Blacksmith Shop was built around 1815. A blacksmith would have worked here, making and repairing metal tools.
  • The Kitchen has a large, open fireplace. This is where all the cooking for the plantation would have happened.

Gallery

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

    A close-up view of the historic Kent Plantation House.

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

    The Visitor Center, where your tour begins.

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

    An outdoor tour guide sharing stories about the house.

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

    The Milk House, built before 1830, where dairy products were made.

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

    Tools and utensils used inside the Milk House.

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

    The Kitchen, with its large fireplace for cooking.

  • Open hearth cooking, Kent Plantation House IMG 4213

    Cooking over an open fire, just like people did long ago.

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

    The laundry room, showing how 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 metal items were made.

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

    A wooden hammer, possibly used for various tasks.

  • 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 on the property.

  • 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 to be used.

  • 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," the building material.

  • 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 pulled by a rope for cooling.

  • 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

    A bathtub in the master bedroom.

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