Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, is a historic site devoted entirely to telling the story of slavery in America through the eyes of the enslaved. Originally established in 1752 and known as Habitation Haydel, the plantation operated as an in... read moredigo and later sugar-producing estate. It was renamed Whitney Plantation in the late 1800s and continued agricultural operations into the 20th century before being preserved as a museum.

What makes Whitney unique is its sole focus on the lives of enslaved people rather than the planter class. It includes original structures such as the Big House, slave cabins, and a freedmen’s church, as well as powerful memorials and sculptures that represent enslaved children and adults. The “Field of Angels” commemorates the thousands of enslaved children who died in Louisiana, while other installations use names, stories, and images to honor those once held in bondage on the site.

Visitors can participate in guided tours that offer a direct and deeply moving account of plantation life from the perspective of the enslaved. The experience is educational and reflective, aiming to illuminate the brutal realities of slavery and preserve the memory of those who endured it. Whitney Plantation stands as a place of historical truth, remembrance, and learning, offering a vital perspective on America’s past.