Tuesday, September 30, 2008

K is for Kettle

What Do You See?

My entry for this weeks ABC Wednesday is a picture of my granddaughter Autumn looking into a large kettle at Houmas House.

Houmas House is a restored plantation home on the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The first owners of the plantation were the indigenous Houmas Indians, who were given a land grant to occupy the fertile plain between the Mississippi and Lake Maurepas to the north.

The Houmas sold the land to Maurice Conway and Alexander Latil in the mid 1700's. The original French Provincial house that Latil erected on the property in is situated directly behind the Mansion, adjoined by a carriageway to the grand home described during its antebellum heyday as "The Sugar Palace." The original home was later used as living quarters for the staff that served the great house.

By the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the plantation was established and producing sugar.

In 1810, Revolutionary War hero Gen. Wade Hampton of Virginia purchased the property and shortly thereafter began construction on the Mansion. However, it was not until 1825 when Hampton's daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Col. John Preston, took over the property that the grand house truly began to take shape.

Houmas House framed by a live oak

Construction on the Mansion was completed in 1828. At the same time, Houmas House began to build its sugar production and continued to increase its land holdings, which ultimately grew to 300,000 acres.

Here are some more pictures of Autumn taken at Houmas House.

May I Come In?

Having a Good Time

Autumn Reflection

25 comments:

  1. Fun choice. Your granddaughter is very cute.

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  2. Autumn is a sweet little girl! And the first photo is excellent and the colours are very good.

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  3. That's one big kettle... and one great big and beautiful smile... very neat 'K' post

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  4. I love the kettle, very original idea. Plus, your granddaughter is super cute.

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  5. Very interesting post! I love that last photo with your granddaughter's reflection. Twice as cute!

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  6. Your grandaughter is a seriously SWEET little girl! I LOVE the pictures to pieces! LOVE! THEM! I can't believe you are old enough to have a grandaughter. Very great picture with the kettle and the baby! Hope your day is delightful!

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  7. That first photo is a work of art. Autumn looks like just the right companion to visit places with.
    And it's always interesting for me, a Yankee, to read about Southern history.

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  8. That's a bigg.. kettle.
    Autumn is lovely and cute,and as pretty as her name.
    Thanks for sharing your grand daughter's photos with us.

    Thank you for visiting MDS.

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  9. The images of your granddaughter are priceless. My favourite is definitely the first one where she is so intent on finding the bottom!

    Great series of pics and info!

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  10. Your little grand-daughter Autumn is very sweet, and that picture of her looking into the kettle is priceless!

    It's a wonderful old kettle, too. I'm far more interested in antique household things than in antique works of art.

    And that house is gorgeous!

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  11. Nice place...she is too cute with that big smile and red dress.

    Please think about joining my Sunday meme called Week In Pictures.

    http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2008/09/wip-meme-week-in-pictures-4th-edition.html

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  12. A fantastiv name, loved the look of enjoyment on her face.

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  13. Your granddaughter is awsome , the keetle is good too,but the child is great!!!

    watch my ABC's K for "Kinderdijk" 19 dutch mills/legend here: http://www.joannwalraven.blogspot.com/

    Greetings JoAnn

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  14. RICHIE,
    Thank you so much Richie for your information about the windmill song, so if you are well informed the song is written by ALLAN BERGMAN, thanks so much, now the song is completed with your info


    JoAnn's D Eyes

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  15. Your grandaughter is adorable.
    I love the first picture of her looking in the kettle.
    They are so inquisitive at that age.

    Bear((( )))

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  16. Always enjoy reading your posts. They're very well written and the photos are great! I find the culture in southern Louisiana to be very captivating.

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  17. Your granddaughter is so sweet and inquisitive. I absolutely love the photos of her at the kettle and the door. The photo reminded me of autumn in color how fitting for Autumn to be there.

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  18. What a pretty series, Richard! And your grand daughter is adorable, so sweet and a beauty too. :-)

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  19. A sweet grand daughter & a beautiful house too. Thanks for the visit to my blog, I have emailed Falt Tony to you

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  20. Your little sweetie really sparks the post. I love her looking in the kettle.

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  21. Love the top pic!

    I went to Houmas House many years ago. Interesting slice of history.

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  22. She is curious ... and she has a beautiful smile!

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  23. Thanks for visiting. I love old houses, even if they are mansions. They make wonderful backdrops for your very cute granddaughter.

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  24. How adorable. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Your little Autumn is precious. Our 3 girls each have a season as their middle name.

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  25. Your grandaugther is beautiful and such a joy for you.

    Thank you for voting my pic the best of ABC Wed;)

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