Plantation getting face-lift

Photo by Heather R. Breaux

The Destrehan Plantation is getting its third new roof since the 1970s. This will be the first new roof since Hurricane Katrina.

The oldest documented antebellum home in the lower Mississippi Valley is getting a much deserved face-lift.
Construction workers have labored for nearly six weeks to ensure that St. Charles Parish’s Destrehan Plantation gets a perfect roof renovation.

Plantation director Nancy Robert says that this project couldn’t be delayed any longer -  the manor was in dire need of a new roof.

“Many of the shingles were splitting and buckling,” Robert said. “ And no repairs or renovations were made after Hurricane Katrina.”

The new roof is the third one to be constructed since the River Road Historical Society purchased the plantation in the 1970s. The last roof was changed in 1990.

Robert says that the reshingling of the main part of the roof is now complete, which leaves the shingles on the two wings located on opposite sides of the house left to replace.

“The old shingles are being replaced with yellow pine wood shingles that will fade to gray over time,” she said. “It’s the same material that was used on the roof of Laura Plantation.”

Robert points out that the project, which cost over $100,000, was made possible with funding from the New Orleans Azby Foundation.

“The Azby Foundation is a non-profit organization whose members are descendants of the Destrehan family,” Robert said. “And we are extremely grateful for their contribution.”

Robert says that other renovations and scheduled maintenance for the nearly 221-year-old house are in the works.

“We have a few projects lined up for work to be done in the interior of the house,” Robert said. “But I want everyone to remember that we are still conducting tours and I invite everyone to come out and see what work is being done.”

Robert expects the roof to be completed within two weeks.
Destrehan Plantation is located at 13034 River Rd. in Destrehan and tours are given from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except on major holidays.

For more information, call 985-764-9315 or visit www.destrehanplantation.org.