The largest Antebellum plantation in the U.S. burns down

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Historic Nottoway Plantation, the largest antebellum mansion in the U.S. that was turned into a resort, has burned down.

Nottoway Antebellum plantation burned down

On Thursday, May 15, the south wing of Nottoway Resort in White Castle, L.A., was engulfed in flames. By that evening, the 64-room, 53,000-square-foot mansion was a pile of rubble, Nola.com reports.

Officials say the cause of the fire is still unknown, and there have been no reported injuries.

Iberville Parish President Craig Daigle shared a statement on social media in the early hours of May 16, addressing the disaster.

“While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,” he wrote.

“Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era.”

Historic structure

According to the National Register of Historic Places, Nottoway was built in 1858 by John Hampden Randolph, and by 1860, 155 people were enslaved on the property.

Nottoway Plantation was turned into a hotel and resort, hosting weddings and special events, in the 1980s. Before that, it was a tourist attraction and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The property’s ownership changed hands over the years, and it also housed a museum.

The parish president also recognized the landmark as “a cornerstone of our tourism economy,” as it’s become a popular wedding location, travel destination and resort that included a 30-by-40-foot ballroom and a 300-seat restaurant. “Its absence will be felt deeply — by our community, our state, and by the many who found meaning in its preservation,” added Daigle

“It stood as both a cautionary monument and a testament to the importance of preserving history — even the painful parts — so that future generations can learn and grow from it.”