Ashland Plantation

Ashland Plantation is a two-story mansion near Darrow featuring 28 columns, each three feet square, that rise about 35 feet across the surrounding galleries. The structure displays classical Southern plantation design with spacious covered porches along both levels.

The house was built between 1839 and 1841 by architect James Gallier Sr. for Duncan Farrar Kenner, a major plantation owner in the region. The property underwent extensive restoration in 2015 to preserve its original character.

The mansion reflects how wealthy sugar plantation owners displayed their prosperity through grand architecture and spacious galleries that dominated the landscape. The scale and decoration reveal the priorities and status of those who built it.

The 34-acre property is now maintained by Shell Oil Company for corporate events and functions. Visit arrangements should be made in advance since public access is limited to special occasions.

The property served as a filming location for several well-known movies, including Band of Angels and The Beguiled, which used the historic setting for cinema productions. This movie history adds another layer to understanding how filmmakers have portrayed Southern plantation landscapes.