Rosedown State Historic Site

Louisiana State Historic Site, Plantation home built in 1835. Property has a large garden. Rosedown’s history begins in 1828.

It was at this time that Daniel Turnbull married Martha Barrow. Both were from socially prominent and wealthy families of West Feliciana Parish. For their honeymoon trip, they chose to go to Europe. At that time this was known as the “Grand Tour of Europe,” and while they were traveling throughout Europe and the British Isles, they got many ideas about the future construction and decoration of the

ir main house and the planting of their gardens. Returning from their honeymoon trip, Daniel made a series of several land purchases over the next few years, eventually accumulating nearly 3500 acres to make up Rosedown Plantation. The majority of this acreage was planted in cotton. Construction began on the main house in November 1834, and just six months later and at a cost of just over 13 thousand dollars, the house was finished. The reasons for this were because they were able to harvest the majority of their building materials from the Rosedown Plantation grounds—the house is built almost entirely of local cypress and cedar. They also had their own sawmill, so they could process much of their own lumber. But more important was the fact that Daniel had a huge workforce, which at its height totaled 444 slaves, and it was this labor force that was responsible for building the house so quickly and at so little expense. Over the course of Daniel and Martha’s married lives, they had 3 children at Rosedown—two sons and a daughter. They would unfortunately lose both of their sons. Their youngest son, James Daniel, died at age 7 from yellow fever. Their oldest son, William, though he did marry and have 2 sons of his own, died at age 27 in a boating accident while crossing the river. This left their daughter Sarah as their only remaining heir. In the 1850s Sarah married a local boy, James Bowman from the nearby Oakley Plantation. Since Sarah and James would be inheriting Rosedown, they moved in there following their wedding. Over the course of their married lives, they had 10 children—8 girls and 2 boys. Of these 8 daughters, 4 would never marry. Sarah and James were very concerned about the futures of their unmarried daughters, so they decided to leave Rosedown to them, to ensure that these girls would always have a home. The last of these daughters died in 1955, at which time the plantation was placed up for sale. Rosedown was purchased in the spring of 1956 by a couple from Houston, Texas—Milton Underwood and his wife Catherine Fondren. Catherine was an oil heiress and she spent the next 8 years, and approximately 10 million dollars of her own money, having the plantation fully restored. She and Milton opened Rosedown to the public in 1964 and the Underwood family maintained Rosedown as a tourist site until 1994, when it was sold by their son David, to a businessman from Georgia. The home continued to be operated as a tourist site until it was sold to the State of Louisiana in November of 2000. The State purchased the house, its contents, the 28 acres of formal gardens surrounding the main house, and 371 additional acres of the original plantation land. When visiting Rosedown you can see a plantation home, fully restored to reflect an 1850s appearance. You can walk on the original cypress floors, and see approximately 90 percent of the house’s original furnishings.

13/07/2024

Happy Birthday to Louisiana State Parks!!! 90 years old:)
To celebrate admission is free today 7/13/24 for both house and gardens. However, you still need to check in at the gift shop and get a ticket. We are open 9am-5pm. The tours of the house are every hour from 10am-4pm. Please arrive about 15min before the hourly tour to have time to check in and walk to the house where the tour starts. Look forward celebrating with everyone!

10/07/2024

🎉FREE ADMISSION SAT., JULY 13🎉
The Louisiana State Park system turns 90 on July 13. Enjoy FREE day-use admission at any Louisiana State Park or Historic Site on Saturday, July 13. Experience all that your state parks and historic sites have to offer. From fishing and mountain biking to disc golf and kayaking, it's all here.

Learn more and plan your next trip at www.LaStateParks.com🌳🏞️

Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana

04/07/2024

In 1852, Martha and Daniel’s son William married Caroline Butler. As a gift to her in-laws, Caroline gave them this tapestry. It was a charished piece that had been handed down through her family. It was given to Caroline by her mother Francis, who was given to by her mother Nelly. Nelly’s grandmother had given it to her. Nelly’s grandmother, who was possibly the maker of the tapestry, was/is pretty well known. She is the mother of our counrty - Martha Custis Washington.

So this tapestry (firescreen) was possibly made by Martha Washington, George Washington’s wife. It was something the family would have showed off which is possibly why they built the frame around it and put wheels on it so they could move it around where ever people were inside.
Hope everyone has a good Independence Day!!

Photos from Rosedown State Historic Site's post

06/05/2024

We have some sad news, our resident cat, Bob, passed away Sunday Morning - May 5th. He appeared to have laid down outside the giftshop and peacefully gone to sleep. Bob first came to Rosedown many years ago as a stray and decided to stay with us. He became a mascot for the site, often escorting visitors through the gardens, and he was a favorite subject for both amateur and professional photographers. He was even featured in the newspaper. In his later years he spent less time wondering the grounds and more time napping in his favorite spots, but he was always appreciative of attention. He will be greatly missed. RIP Bob.

18/04/2024

Now Hiring tour guides!
Must be able to work Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus one more day. $12.25 per hour
Please call 225-235-1951

12/04/2024

We are closed today 4/12 due to the storm.

11/04/2024

Closed today. Cleaning up from the storm, lots of tree damage. No electricity on the property. Please call before you come for the weekend.

26/03/2024

What is blooming this week…

21/03/2024

What’s blooming… Roses are coming out!!!

Photos from Louisiana State Parks's post

20/03/2024

19/03/2024

Thanks everyone for coming to the Easter Egg Hunt!!! And thanks to all the staff, friends and volunteers!! It was a great day:)

15/03/2024

Easter Egg Hunt Tomorrow- Sat. March 16 . Please check in at the giftshop. Garden fees apply.

13/03/2024

Easter Egg Hunt 3/16/24 @ 2pm. Please check in at the giftshop garden fees apply.

11/03/2024

What’s Blooming in the gardens…the azaleas are blooming!!!!

05/03/2024

What is blooming today…the camellias are still going strong and the some of azaleas are budding with a few blooms! The sweet olive is blooming too:)

01/03/2024

What is blooming this week? Azalea’s are budding!!!

22/02/2024

What blooming? Here is a little peek:) come check out the gardens spring is almost here!!

19/02/2024

To Bob’s secret Valentine, thanks for the presents. He loves everything❤️❤️❤️

30/01/2024

Now Hiring!
We are looking for a new tour guide to give house tours.
If you are interested please call 225-235-1951 or email [email protected].
Part-time job, three days per week, flexible hours.

Call now to connect with business.

26/01/2024

Everyone always wonders what the three glasses are on the table. From left to right - water, wine and cordial glasses. A cordial is a dessert wine that is very sweet. Thats why the glass is so small. Cordials and bitters ,which are used in cocktails, started in ancient Egypt and Greece and were used to cure aliments. They would put medicinal herbs in jarred wine. They became real popular in the middle ages and were mixed with canary wine. The wine and cordials at dinner would be the only alcohol that ladies could drink. After dinner the ladies would retire for tea in the palor and the men for cocktails in the card room. Cocktails were invented in New Orleans in the early 1800s and were all the rage. They consisted of spirits, sugar, water and bitters. Daniel even made his own muscadine wine! So whether you like cordials, wine or cocktails, if you want them shaken, stirred, on the rock or neat we have a variety of items at the gift shop. We have bitters and syrups from El Guapo out of new orleans, both stemless and stemmed wine glasses, martini glasses, rocks glasses, flasks and shakers. We also have cocktail books, cocktail themed tea towels and cocktail napkins! So come check us out! Cheers!!

01/01/2024

Happy new year!!!

We are closed
today but will be open tomorrow:)

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from Rosedown!!! Starting Friday 11/24- Friday 12/1 there will be a Christmas sale on merchandise in the gift shop!!! 20% off all merch so come do some Christmas shopping with us!! Jewelry, stuffed animals, books, bitters, tea towels and more!!! Free coffee too:)

02/10/2023

Every Saturday in October tours will discuss Funeral and Mourning superstitions and practices of the 1800s. Also any child on those tours dressed in costume will receive candy!