Destrehan Plantation

What Destrehan Plantation does

Destrehan Plantation is a living history museum and tourist attraction located in Destrehan, Louisiana, operated by the River Road Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1968. The organization owns and operates the 1787-1790 plantation house and approximately 12+ acres of grounds, featuring original slave cabins, the Miller-Haydel Museum, the Jefferson Room displaying a Jefferson-Madison signed document, the Louisiana Farm Barn, overnight Creole cottages, an Indigo Cafe, and a gift shop. Serves five primary customer segments: tourists visiting New Orleans (the closest authentic plantation, 25 minutes from the French Quarter and 10 minutes from the airport), K-12 school groups via the Heritage Education Program, wedding and event clients (rated 4.9 on The Knot), corporate event clients utilizing the 4,585-square-foot mule barn, and film productions (NCIS New Orleans, 12 Years a Slave, Interview with the Vampire, TLC's Four Weddings).

The core product portfolio is centered on guided historical tours ($13-$38/person) with costumed interpreters covering French/Spanish colonial periods, the 1811 German Coast Slave Revolt, and the lives of enslaved people. Revenue streams include tour admissions, wedding and event venue rentals, overnight cottage rentals (Marie Celeste and Marguerite), the Indigo Cafe, gift shop sales, special events (Fall Festival in its 54th year, Spring Garden Show, holiday events), student field trips, and donations. Specialty add-on experiences include the Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience combo tour, multiple haunted tour products (Hauntings of Destrehan, Spirits of Destrehan via NOLA Ghost Riders), and combo tours with Houmas House Estate.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model with diversified distribution: official website with FareHarbor booking integration, on-site box office, strategic partnerships with Uber/Lyft (exclusive), Gray Line Tours, 8+ transportation operator partners, NOLA Ghost Riders, Groupon, and a dedicated group sales team. The River Road Historical Society charter prevents absolute revenue maximization in favor of preservation mission, with all proceeds reinvested in restoration and educational programming. Pricing is tiered across tour types, with discounts for seniors, military, children, and groups of 20+.

Name

Destrehan Plantation

Legal name

River Road Historical Society

Website

https://destrehanplantation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Destrehan Plantation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit living history museum near New Orleans offering guided historical tours, wedding and event venue rentals, overnight cottage stays, and educational programs to tourists, K-12 school groups, and event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Living History Museum and Heritage Tourism

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE), Cultural Heritage & Historic District Tours (THAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Historical museum tours
• Plantation tours
• Living history museum
• Heritage education programs
• Wedding and event venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Destrehan, Louisiana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Admissions: Revenue from guided tours, self-guided tours, and special themed tours (ghost tours, cooking experiences, combo tours). Standard admission ranges from $13-$38 per person depending on tour type.
2. Wedding and Event Venue Rentals: Revenue from renting the historic mule barn, carriageway, and grounds for weddings, corporate events, parties, and gatherings. Includes bridal suite access.
3. Overnight Cottage Rentals: Revenue from renting two Creole cottages (Marie Celeste and Marguerite) for overnight stays. Includes discounted tour access for guests.
4. Indigo Cafe Food and Beverage: Revenue from on-site cafe serving sandwiches, wraps, gumbo, salads, pastries, coffee, and Blue Bell ice cream. Located within gift shop.
5. Gift Shop Sales: Revenue from sale of plantation-themed merchandise including books, apparel, candles, food products (cane syrup, raw sugar), and artisan crafts.
6. Special Events: Revenue from annual events including Fall Festival (vendor booth fees, admission), Spring Garden and Pet Show, Holiday events (Candy Cane Celebration, Christmas tours), and community events like Craws for the Cause.
7. Student Field Trips: Revenue from school group tours through Heritage Education Program, priced at group rates with curriculum-aligned educational content.
8. Donations: Donations supporting River Road Historical Society's mission to preserve and educate about Destrehan Plantation and River Road history.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Destrehan Plantation is a living history museum that provides guided historical tours of an 18th-century Louisiana plantation home, original enslaved cabins, and interpretive exhibits covering French/Spanish colonial periods, the 1811 German Coast Slave Revolt, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Beyond tours, the site functions as a wedding and corporate event venue (4,585 sq ft mule barn), offers overnight stays in two restored Creole cottages, operates an on-site Indigo Cafe and gift shop, hosts annual community events including a 54+ year Fall Festival, and runs a curriculum-aligned Heritage Education Program for K-12 students. The property is owned and operated by the River Road Historical Society as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with all proceeds supporting restoration and preservation.

Product overview

Destrehan Plantation operates as a living history museum offering a portfolio of tour products centered on historical interpretation of an 18th-century Louisiana plantation. The core experience comprises guided plantation tours and exhibits covering colonial history, enslaved individuals, and the 1811 German Coast Slave Revolt. The product line extends through specialty tour add-ons (Cajun cooking experiences, haunted tours, combo tours with Houmas House), educational programs (student field trips, summer camp, Heritage Day), event venues (mule barn for weddings/corporate events), and amenities (Creole cottage overnight stays, Indigo Cafe, and gift shop). The company also hosts seasonal events including an Annual Fall Festival, Spring Garden and Pet Show, and holiday-themed experiences. The organization functions as a nonprofit operated by the River Road Historical Society, with all proceeds supporting restoration and preservation of the plantation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Indigo Cafe: On-site cafe serving sandwiches, wraps, gumbo, salads, pastries, coffee, and Blue Bell ice cream, located inside the gift shop.

Products and services

• Plantation Tours Guided historical tours of the plantation home, enslaved cabin, and grounds led by costumed historical interpreters. Includes access to The Jefferson Room with a Thomas Jefferson and James Madison signed document, The Herbert J. Harvey, Jr. Legacy Room, the Miller-Haydel Museum covering the 1811 German Coast Slave Revolt and Rost Home Colony, the Louisiana Farm Barn (Sugar and Textile Museum), and self-guided grounds exploration. For tourists, families, and educational visitors.
• Student Field Trips (Heritage Education Program) Grade-level appropriate educational tours aligned with Louisiana K-12 social studies curriculum standards, featuring primary sources, museum visits, and hands-on folk-life demonstrations. Group rate available for 20+ students with reservation two weeks in advance. For K-12 school groups, home-school cooperatives, and youth organizations.
• Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience Combo Tour Combined plantation tour with live Cajun cooking demonstration by Maitland 'Spuddy' Faucheux followed by a lunch or dinner service in the historic mule barn. Requires minimum 35 people, maximum 150, with 30-day advance booking. For groups seeking food and culture experiences.
• Destrehan Plantation and Houmas House Combo Tour Combined tour experience linking Destrehan Plantation with nearby Houmas House Estate on River Road. Tickets sold through houmashouse.com for visitors exploring multiple Louisiana River Road plantations.
• NOLA Ghost Riders Haunted Plantation Tour (Spirits of Destrehan) Evening haunted tour operated in partnership with NOLA Ghost Riders, featuring an interactive 2+ hour history mystery tour led by a paranormal investigator using dowsing rods, K2 meters, and spirit boxes. Stories cover the 1811 Slave Revolt. Available Thursday-Sunday with bus boarding option from VooDoo Tavern in New Orleans.
• Hauntings of Destrehan Ghost Tour (Curse of Destrehan) Nighttime guided tour exploring haunted spaces with ghost-hunting tools including dowsing rods and EMF readers. Adults $35, kids (6-17) $20, group rate $30 (minimum 10 people). Available Thursday-Sunday in season; summer by appointment only (minimum 8 people).
• Plantation Museum Exhibits Self-guided access to on-site museums including the Louisiana Farm Barn (Sugar and Textile Museum), Miller-Haydel Museum (1811 Slave Revolt and Rost Home Colony exhibits), The Jefferson Room featuring an authentic document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, The Herbert J. Harvey, Jr. Legacy Room, Outdoor Kitchen, Enslaved Cabins, and The Well and Laundry Building.
• Creole Cottage Overnight Stays Two restored Creole cottages named Marie Celeste and Marguerite offered as overnight heritage accommodations with modern amenities. Includes a discounted tour rate of $13.50 per person for cottage guests. Summer promotions available (STAY1 15% off, STAY2 20% off). For leisure travelers and couples seeking unique historical lodging near New Orleans.
• Mule Barn Venue Rentals (Weddings and Events) Historic 4,585-square-foot event venue for weddings, corporate functions, reunions, and parties, featuring attached carriageway, bridal suite, and catering kitchen. Accommodates 50-200 guests. Weddings can be held under live oak trees on the grounds. Rated 4.9 on The Knot. For engaged couples, corporate event planners, and event organizers.
• Indigo Cafe On-site cafe serving sandwiches, wraps, gumbo, salads, pastries, coffee, and Blue Bell ice cream, located inside the gift shop. For museum guests and walk-in visitors.
• Gift Shop Retail store offering hand-crafted items by local artists, plantation-themed merchandise, books, apparel, candles, food products including cane syrup and raw sugar, and artisan crafts. For museum visitors and walk-in shoppers.
• Annual Fall Festival Two-day arts and crafts festival running for over 54 years, featuring over 150 vendor booths, antique dealers, children's activities, food court, and live music. Serves as the organization's major annual fundraiser. Adults/teens $8, children 12 and under free; guided tours $15/person.
• Spring Garden and Pet Show Annual garden and pet-focused event presented in partnership with LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Master Gardeners, featuring over 75 vendors offering plants, garden decor, pet accessories, pet adoption, and children's activities. $5 per person, free for children 5 and under; tickets at gate only.
• Spirit of Christmas and Creole Christmas Combo Tour Holiday evening tour combining illuminated house tour with walking tour through the Alley of Oaks featuring over 100 lighted frames and 50 Christmas trees. Light Show Only $10/person; Adult $25, Youth (7-17) $20, Children (3-6) $10, Children 2 and under free.
• Past Times Summer Camp Summer camp program for children ages 7-12 featuring hands-on historical activities including candle-making, butter-making, rope-making, and period games. $225 per camper, includes all supplies and snacks.
• Heritage Day Annual educational event featuring hands-on activities, demonstrations, reenactments, and exhibits focused on 19th-century Louisiana culture. $13 for adults, $10 for children (7-17); excludes house tour.
• Witches' Walk at Destrehan Plantation Halloween-themed event featuring witch-themed activities, boutique shopping, guided haunted tour, and buffet dinner in the mule barn. $95 per person, includes cocktails, shopping, haunted tour, buffet dinner, dancing, and costume contest.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 54 years of community fundraising through Fall Festival events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• River Road Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968Non-profit organization founded in 1968 that owns and operates Destrehan Plantation. Society charter received from State of Louisiana in January 1969. Acquired plantation property from American Oil (Amoco) in December 1971. Mission: preserve history and provide education on Destrehan Plantation. All proceeds from tours and events support restoration and preservation.
• NOLA Ghost RiderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NOLA Ghost Riders to create and operate 'The Spirits of Destrehan Haunted Tour.' Features interactive 2+ hour history mystery tour with paranormal investigator guide using dowsing rods, K2 meters, and spirit boxes. Tour available Thursday-Sunday, with option to board bus at VooDoo Tavern in New Orleans.
• Spuddy's Cajun Foods / Maitland 'Spuddy' FaucheuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local chef Spuddy Faucheux for Cajun Cooking Experience combo tours held in historic mule barn. Includes cooking demonstration of smoked Cajun meats and Cajun dishes, with lunch or dinner service. Requires minimum 35 people, maximum 150.
• Uber & LyftcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive rideshare transportation partnership. Destrehan is the only plantation in the area where Uber and Lyft provide direct transportation to and from New Orleans. Key differentiator for airport arrivals and time-conscious tourists.
• Gray Line ToursmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGray Line New Orleans partners for Cajun Holiday Bonfire Celebration packages including motor coach transportation from New Orleans, guided tour, Cajun-style dinner, and private bonfire viewing. Admission $150/person with 4 hour 45 minute duration.
• Tour Transportation NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 8+ transportation operators providing tours to plantation: Soul of Nola, Riverbend Transportation, Crescent City Tours, Nola Here & There Transportation, New Orleans Private Tours, Tours By Isabelle, Nouvelle Orleans 1718, United Front Transportation Services.
• LSU AgCentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with LSU AgCenter for Spring Garden and Pet Show events. LSU AgCenter provides expertise and co-presentation for annual garden festival.
• Louisiana Master GardenersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Louisiana Master Gardeners for Spring Garden and Pet Show. Co-presents annual garden festival with LSU AgCenter.
• Houmas House EstateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership offering combo tour tickets combining Destrehan Plantation and Houmas House visits. Two of the oldest stately homes on River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
• Whitney PlantationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Juneteenth Freedom Festival. Destrehan Plantation participates as educational booth provider, sharing historical documentation on Rost Home Colony and Freedman's Bureau history.
• Pork Belly Cartel / Hogs for the CauseminorOthersVenue host for Craws for the Cause event benefiting Hogs for the Cause (world's largest pediatric brain cancer research charity). Event includes all-you-can-eat crawfish, beer from German Coast Beer Co., and live music.
• EntergyminorOthersEntergy donated original slave cabins from Helvetia Plantation (destroyed by Hurricane Betsy 1965) to Destrehan Plantation for educational purposes.
• BungeminorOthersStage sponsor for 54th Annual Fall Festival. Bunge North America Grain Refinery located nearby on River Road.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site: Louisiana State Parks historic site offering guided tours of the main house and gardens. Peer in interpretation model and school-trip programming, though state-operated rather than nonprofit.
• Shadows-on-the-Teche: National Trust for Historic Preservation property in Louisiana with similar interpretation, gardens, and event hosting. Closest peer in nonprofit governance structure and educational mission.
• Nottoway Plantation: Largest antebellum plantation in the South, operating overnight resort, restaurant, and event venue on River Road. Comparable in product mix (tours + lodging + events) but larger scale than Destrehan.
• Longue Vue House and Gardens: Historic house museum and gardens in New Orleans offering tours, educational programs, and event venue rentals. Peer in museum operations, education programs, and event/wedding revenue mix.
• Whitney Plantation: Louisiana River Road plantation museum focused on slavery interpretation and the lives of enslaved people, including memorials and the Wall of Honor. Direct narrative peer to Destrehan's 1811 Slave Revolt and Rost Home Colony exhibits.
• Oak Alley Plantation: Iconic Louisiana River Road plantation with alley of live oaks, offering guided tours, overnight accommodations (Big House and cottages), restaurant, and event venue. Closest direct competitor to Destrehan along the same tourist route from the city.
• Laura Plantation: Creole plantation on River Road featuring the famous 'Big House' tour and Marie Claire narrative, with strong interpretive depth on enslaved women's histories. Comparable size and tour-based revenue model on the same route.
• San Francisco Plantation: Louisiana River Road plantation with elaborate Creole architecture, offering guided tours and event venue services. Comparable nonprofit-style operation and tour-based revenue mix on the same corridor.
• Pitot House: Historic house museum on Bayou St. John in New Orleans operated by the Louisiana Landmarks Society, offering tours and event rentals. Closest peer in scale — small nonprofit historic house with tour and event revenue.
• Houmas House Estate and Gardens: Louisiana River Road plantation that is an actual combo-tour partner with Destrehan. Offers guided tours, overnight inn accommodations, and event venue on the same Baton Rouge–New Orleans corridor, targeting the same tourist audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/destplantation
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Destrehan-Plantation-A-Living-History-Museum/100079469156165
• Instagraminstagram.com/destrehanplantation1787
• Pinterestpinterest.com/destrehanplanta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/destrehan-plantation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Destrehan Plantation