Nottoway Plantation Facts for Kids

The grand Nottoway Plantation house.

Nottoway Plantation is a very large and historic house located in White Castle, a town in Louisiana, USA. It was built in 1859 and is known as a plantation house. In 1980, this important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized for its historical value. Today, Nottoway Plantation also operates as a museum, where visitors can learn about its past.

Nottoway Plantation was built by John Hampden Randolph. He bought the land and then constructed the impressive house. The plantation relied on the forced labor of many African Americans who worked in the sugarcane fields. After Mr. Randolph passed away, his wife sold the plantation in 1889 for $50,000. The house itself is quite remarkable, featuring 165 doors and 200 windows, adding up to 365 openings in total.

History of Nottoway
Architecture and Design
- Unique Features of the House
- Inside the Mansion
Nottoway as a Museum
- Visiting the Historic Site
- Learning About the Past
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History of Nottoway

Building a Grand Home

John Hampden Randolph was a wealthy man who decided to build a very large and fancy home. He started building Nottoway Plantation in 1859. The house was designed to be a grand estate, showing off his success. It was built in the popular styles of the time, combining elements of Greek Revival architecture and Italianate architecture.

Life on the Plantation

Plantations like Nottoway were large farms where crops were grown. Nottoway focused on growing sugarcane. The work on these plantations was very hard. Many African Americans were forced to work there without pay. They lived in difficult conditions and were made to do all the labor in the fields and around the house. This system of forced labor was called slavery.

Changes Over Time

After John Hampden Randolph died, his wife sold Nottoway Plantation in 1889. The plantation changed hands several times over the years. Eventually, it was recognized for its historical importance. Being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 helped protect the property. Today, Nottoway is open to the public as a museum.

Architecture and Design

Unique Features of the House

Nottoway Plantation is famous for its size and unique design. It has 165 doors and 200 windows. This means there are 365 openings in the house, one for each day of the year! The house is a great example of 19th-century architecture. Its design combines two popular styles: Greek Revival and Italianate.

Inside the Mansion

The inside of Nottoway Plantation is just as impressive as the outside. It features many large rooms with high ceilings and beautiful decorations. One of the most famous rooms is the "White Ballroom." This room was designed for parties and social gatherings. The house also has many bedrooms and a large dining room. Visitors can explore these rooms and imagine what life was like there long ago.

Nottoway as a Museum

Visiting the Historic Site

Today, Nottoway Plantation is a popular place for people to visit. It works as a historic house museum. This means you can take tours and learn about the history of the house and the people who lived and worked there. The museum helps to preserve the building and share its story with new generations.

Learning About the Past

When you visit Nottoway, you can see how people lived in the 1800s. You can learn about the architecture, the furniture, and the daily routines. The museum also helps to tell the story of the African Americans who were forced to work on the plantation. It's an important place to understand a part of American history.