Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host a memorial illumination to remember and honor the people who were enslaved on February 19 at Magnolia Plantation and February 26 at Oakland Plantation from 6:30pm – 8:00pm as part of Black History Month.
The FREE illumination events and self-guided tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. The tours will be outdoors, will cover about a half mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and will occur rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions.
The institution of enslavement and the act of emancipation have left indelible imprints on many aspects of Cane River life, and the park has been working for years to uncover the stories of all the people that lived on the two plantations. The process was a long one, and one that is still ongoing. Each luminaria represents an enslaved man, woman, or child. Groupings of luminarias reflect a moment in time in the plantation’s history. Luminaries will be marked with the names, ages, places of origin and skills of the enslaved individuals when possible. This information has been retrieved from original archives.
Anyone who might know more details about enslaved people who lived and worked on Magnolia is encouraged to reach out and share. In addition, please call 318-352-0383, ext. 200 if you would be willing to volunteer to assemble and/or place luminaries.
