Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
Tour the house and gardens of a 19th-century cotton plantation.
At a Glance
- Tours of the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site includes exploring the 1895 mansion, wandering the 28-acre gardens and learning about plantation life, cotton production and the people who lived and worked on the estate.
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site occupies some enviable real estate in the foothills of West Feliciana Parish. The scenery is awe-inspiring, with a mix of hills and valleys that were once filled with rows of cotton and pine forests. Cotton made Rosedown Plantation’s owners, Daniel and Martha Turnbull, extremely wealthy. The husband and wife saw their estate completed in 1835. They filled the house with luxurious furnishings from Europe and the Northeast, many of which survived the ravages of the Civil War and remain in the house today.
The Turnbulls’ descendants sold the house in the 1950s to Catherine Fondren Underwood, who oversaw the restoration of the plantation, including 28 acres of formal gardens once enjoyed by Martha Turnbull.
You can walk the same garden paths that the Turnbulls once enjoyed, before or after your guided tour of the Big House. The home itself features interior decorations that have remained largely intact, including elaborate wallpapering and imported architectural details. Enjoy the view of a long oak canopy from the second-story veranda.
Things to Do Near Rosedown Plantation
While in St. Francisville, stroll Main Street, visit The Myrtles Plantation (and decide for yourself whether it's haunted) and check out Away Down South, where you can partake in some retail therapy in a restored building that once housed St. Francisville’s first car dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
What is Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site known for?
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site is known for its preserved mansion, original furnishings and elaborate formal gardens. Built in 1835 by Daniel and Martha Turnbull, the plantation became one of the wealthiest cotton-producing estates in the South during the 19th century.
Can you tour the house and gardens at Rosedown Plantation?
Yes, visitors can take guided tours of the historic mansion and explore the plantation’s preserved gardens and grounds. The guided house tour includes access to the gardens, which were among the few privately maintained formal gardens in the United States during the 1800s.
What can visitors see inside Rosedown Plantation?
Inside the mansion, visitors can view original furnishings, imported European décor, historic wallpaper, architectural details, family artifacts and preserved rooms that reflect plantation life during the 19th century. Many furnishings survived the Civil War and remain part of the home today.
How much does it cost to visit Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site?
General admission to Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site is typically $7 for adults, with discounted admission for seniors and free entry for young children. Guided house tours have a separate fee that includes access to the grounds and gardens.
Where is Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site located?
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site is located in St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish, along historic Highway 10 near the Great River Road corridor.
