From the Big House to the Quarters: Slavery on Laura Plantation

Coinciding with Black History Month and building on years of extensive research, Laura Plantation opens a permanent exhibit dedicated to revealing the history of the enslaved community. From the Big House to the Quarters tells personal stories such as that of Lucy, who was bought as an eight-year-old girl to be the slave companion of her master's daughter. Lucy grew up in the family household and eventually accompanied them to France. Edouard was a slave who worked as a brickmason. He fled the property to fight with the Union Army, only to return to the plantation and his family after the Civil War and emancipation. Designed around various themes to reflect the complex layers of slave life, the exhibit illustrates how the lives of slaves were enmeshed  with those of their masters. Particularly notable is a large collection of slave purchase documents and photographs that bring to light the names and faces of forgotten people. From the Big House to the Quarters launches with an open house on Sunday, February 12 from noon–4 pm, and will remain indefinitely. 2247 Highway 18. lauraplantation.com.