Oaklawn Manor, Franklin, Louisiana

Today we toured Oaklawn Manor in Franklin.  It is owned by Governor Foster and his wife.  Originally built in 1837 for Alexander Porter by his 300 slaves, it had changed hands and fallen into disrepair.  The buildings were made of bricks which were handcrafted by the slaves. to create the 20 inch walls and massive exterior columns . Now restored and furnished in french style, the manor houses a large collection of bird carvings and a number of Audubon collector books including many original prints. The estate was once 2000 acres but currently the grounds encompass 60 acres with gardens, outbuildings and many giant live oak trees fronting on Bayou Teche.

Oaklawn dining room ready for Easter

terrace of Oaklawn Manor

hall table

hand sewn tapestry

carved pelicans

carved shorebirds

original Audubon books

carved Pileated Woodpeckers

Wooton desk (mail slots)

Original artwork inside one of Audubon books

office desk. marble fireplace

pink and gold crystal chandelier

another tapestry

smoke table between his & her chairs

huntsman chandelier (horseheads at top, birds midway down))

front of Oaklawn Manor facing Bayou Teche

pretty red flowering bush

massive live oak

butter house

inside butter house & 1 tonne marble bath tub

2 family slave quarters

Afterward we toured the Franklin area stopping at nature trail then returned to Morgan City where we enjoyed BBQ for lunch (leftovers will be supper) and enjoyed a walk at a park on the edge of the city which includes a large lake.

pretty red/white striped lily

pink & rose coloured azalea

heron beside bayou

Very unique flower we found growing in a ditch

close up of what appears to be Texas Spider lily

birds on gum tree

moss covered Cyprus at beach

Cyprus knees

birds in the gum tree

Cyprus knees by the water

Azalea beside Comfort Inn entrance

Tomorrow we begin our slow trek north.  We plan to do many back roads and byways in an attempt to stay away from traffic congestion found on the interstates.