River Road Historical Society

What River Road Historical Society does

River Road Historical Society is a Louisiana nonprofit formed in 1968 to preserve historic buildings along Louisiana's River Road. It owns and operates Destrehan Plantation as a living-history museum in Destrehan and received its state charter in January 1969. In December 1971, American Oil Company, now Amoco, deeded the plantation house and approximately four acres to the society, establishing the core site around which its preservation mission operates. Source:.\n\nOperations center on costumed-interpreter guided tours of the plantation home, an enslaved cabin, and the grounds, with access to museum exhibits and self-guided or haunted experiences. It serves individual tourists and families, group-tour and wedding customers, corporate-event clients, and attendees at seasonal events. Direct bookings are handled through FareHarbor, and no proprietary mobile app is disclosed; the site is about 10 minutes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and 25 minutes from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter. Source:.\n\nRevenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The society operates through tour admissions, event fees, cottage rentals, and donations or memberships, and the organization is structured as a preservation-focused nonprofit rather than a software or licensing business.

Name

River Road Historical Society

Legal name

River Road Historical Society

Website

https://destrehanplantation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

River Road Historical Society operates Destrehan Plantation as a Louisiana living-history museum, serving tourists, families, group visitors, and community attendees with historical tours, exhibits, festivals, rentals, retail, and dining.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historical Site & Living History Museum Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC), Cultural Heritage & Historic District Tours (THAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Historic plantation tours
• Living history museum
• Wedding venue rentals
• Heritage education programs
• Cultural tourism experiences

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tour Admissions: Revenue from guided tours, self-guided tours, and special tours including haunted tours and cooking experiences. Standard tours range from $13-$26 per person.
2. Wedding and Event Venue Rental: Mule Barn venue rentals (4,585 sq ft) for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate functions, conferences, reunions, and parties. Carriageway rentals. Bridal suite available.
3. Gift Shop Sales: On-site gift shop selling merchandise including t-shirts, candles, mugs, ornaments, books, local food products (cane syrup, raw sugar), and handmade crafts by local artisans
4. Indigo Cafe Food and Beverage: On-site cafe serving sandwiches, wraps, gumbo, salads, pastries, coffee, Blue Bell ice cream, located inside the gift shop
5. Overnight Cottage Rentals: Two Creole cottages (Marie Celeste sleeping 6, Marguerite sleeping 2) available for overnight stays with discounted tour rates
6. Special Events and Fundraisers: Annual events including Fall Festival, Spring Garden and Pet Show, Heritage Day, Witches' Walk, Candy Cane Celebration, and Craws for the Cause charity event
7. Combo Tours and Experiences: Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience Combo Tour at $80+ per person including plantation tour, cooking demonstration, and meal
8. Donations and Memberships: Non-profit organization accepting donations and membership contributions to support historic preservation efforts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The River Road Historical Society operates Destrehan Plantation as a living history museum, offering costumed-interpreter-guided tours of the 1787–1790 plantation home, enslaved cabin, and exhibits (Miller-Haydel Museum featuring the 1811 German Coast Uprising exhibit, Jefferson Room, Louisiana Farm Barn). The society complements its museum mission with a 4,585 sq ft Mule Barn event venue (weddings, corporate events), two Creole cottage overnight rentals, the Indigo Cafe, a gift shop featuring local artisan crafts, and a K-12 Heritage Education Program aligned with Louisiana curriculum standards.

Product overview

Destrehan Plantation, operated by the River Road Historical Society, is a living history museum offering a unified portfolio of experiential products centered on Louisiana colonial history and plantation life. The core product is the guided plantation tour led by costumed historical interpreters, which is supported by on-site museums (Miller-Haydel Museum, Jefferson Room, Legacy Room, Louisiana Farm Barn) and enhanced through add-on experiences including ghost tours (Hauntings of Destrehan and NOLA Ghost Riders Haunted Tours), Cajun cooking experiences, and student educational programs. The property generates revenue through complementary offerings: the Mule Barn event venue for weddings and functions, two Creole cottage overnight rentals, the Indigo Cafe dining service, and a gift shop retail operation. Seasonal events including the Annual Fall Festival, Spring Garden and Pet Show, Witches' Walk, Candy Cane Celebration, and holiday light tours provide additional programmatic revenue. Transportation is facilitated through Uber and Lyft partnerships, and ticketing is managed via FareHarbor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guided Plantation Tours Costumed historical interpreter-led tours of the 1787–1790 plantation home, enslaved cabin, and grounds exploring the history of the Destrehan family and the enslaved people who lived and worked there from 1787 to 1910. Includes access to the Jefferson Room, Herbert J Harvey Jr. Legacy Room, Miller-Haydel Museum (1811 German Coast Uprising exhibit), and Louisiana Farm Barn.
• Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience Combo Tour Combined tour experience featuring a guided plantation tour followed by a Cajun cooking demonstration by Maitland 'Spuddy' Faucheux of Spuddy's Cajun Foods and a Cajun-style lunch or dinner in the historic mule barn. Priced at $80+ per person with seafood menu add-on for $6.
• Spirits of Destrehan Haunted Plantation Tour (NOLA Ghost Riders) Evening interactive ghost tour hosted by NOLA Ghost Riders featuring a storyteller guide, paranormal investigation equipment (dowsing rods, K2 meters, spirit boxes), and stories of the 1811 Slave Revolt and other haunting tales. Available Thursday through Sunday.
• Hauntings of Destrehan Ghost Tour Seasonal evening ghost tour exploring the plantation's most haunted spaces after dusk with ghost-hunting tools including dowsing rods and EMF readers. Available seasonally March through May and October through November. Priced at $35 adults, $20 kids (6-17), $30 group rate (minimum 10).
• Heritage Education Program Award-winning educational program for K-12 students aligned with Louisiana state curriculum standards, featuring primary sources, museums, and folk-life demonstrations. Includes dedicated contact for school field trip booking.
• Creole Cottage Overnight Rentals (Marie Celeste and Marguerite) Two on-site Creole cottages available for overnight stays. Marie Celeste cottage sleeps up to 6 guests and is handicap accessible; Marguerite cottage sleeps 2 guests with rustic charm. Both include discounted plantation tours. Summer specials: 15% off 1 night (code STAY1) or 20% off 2+ nights (code STAY2).
• Mule Barn Venue Rentals Historic 4,585-square-foot event venue surrounded by century-old live oaks, featuring a catering kitchen, private dressing room, and carriageway. Hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, conferences, reunions, and parties with guest lists of 50-250 people. July/August weddings receive $1,000 discount.
• Gift Shop On-site retail shop offering hand-crafted items by local artists and craft artisans, including Destrehan Plantation merchandise, books, food products (cane syrup, raw sugar), candles, ornaments, and apparel.
• Indigo Cafe Cafe located inside the gift shop offering sandwiches, wraps, gumbo, salads, pastries, coffee, Blue Bell ice cream, and more. Open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Annual Fall Festival Annual two-day arts and crafts festival fundraiser (54th year) featuring over 150 vendors, antique dealer displays, children's activities, food court, live music, and guided historical home tours. Admission $8 per adult and teen, free for 12 and under.
• Spring Garden and Pet Show Annual spring event (5th year) presented in partnership with LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Master Gardeners featuring over 75 plant and garden vendors, pet adoption opportunities, children's activities, live music, and educational presentations. Admission $5 per person, free for children 5 and under.
• Spirit of Christmas and Creole Christmas Combo Tour Holiday evening tour combining a house tour with walking tour through the Alley of Oaks featuring over 100 lighted frames, 50 Christmas trees, and a lighted tunnel. Light show available November 28 through December 31. Priced at $10 light show only, $25 adults, $20 youth, $10 children.
• Candy Cane Celebration Annual holiday party event for families featuring holiday crafts, reindeer games, bounce house, Santa visits, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, and candy cane hunt. Two time slots: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Priced at $25 adult, $20 child, free for children 2 and under.
• Past Times Summer Camp Annual summer camp for children ages 7-12 featuring hands-on historical activities including making old-time toys and games, butter-making, candle-making, rope-making, and Louisiana history education. Priced at $225 per camper; includes all supplies and snacks.
• Heritage Day Annual educational event exploring 19th-century life in south Louisiana through hands-on activities, demonstrations, reenactments, exhibits, music, and dance. Priced at $10 for child (7-17), $13 for adult, excludes house tour.
• Craws for the Cause Annual crawfish boil fundraiser benefiting Hogs for the Cause, the world's largest pediatric brain cancer research charity. Features all-you-can-eat crawfish and live music.
• Witches' Walk at Destrehan Plantation Annual enchanted afternoon event featuring boutique shopping, haunted tour, live music, dancing, dinner buffet, costume contest, and witch-themed festivities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served as filming location for major productions including 12 Years a Slave (2013), Interview with the Vampire (1994), NCIS New Orleans (2015), and featured on TLC's Four Weddings

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NOLA Ghost RiderscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for The Spirits of Destrehan Haunted Tour, a 2+ hour interactive paranormal investigation experience. NOLA Ghost Riders provides ghost-hunting equipment (dowsing rods, K2 meters, spirit boxes) and storytelling guide services. Tour operates Thursday-Sunday evenings. Tickets sold through NOLA Ghost Riders booking system.
• Gray Line Tours / New Orleans Steamboat CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGray Line Tours partnership for Cajun Holiday Bonfire Celebration packages including motor coach transportation from New Orleans, guided plantation tour, Spirit of Christmas Light Exhibit presentation, Cajun-style dinner, and private bonfire viewing. Packages priced at $150 per person with self-drive option available.
• Houmas House EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombo tour partnership offering visitors the opportunity to experience both Destrehan Plantation and Houmas House Estate on the same day, located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans along River Road.
• Pork Belly CartelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird-party event organizer hosting Craws for the Cause at Destrehan Plantation. Charity crawfish boil event benefiting Hogs for the Cause, world's largest pediatric brain cancer research charity.
• Hogs for the CauseminorOthersCharitable beneficiary of Craws for the Cause event. World's largest pediatric brain cancer research charity receiving proceeds from the crawfish boil event held at plantation.
• LSU AgCentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 5th Annual Spring Garden and Pet Show. LSU AgCenter provides educational expertise, gardening seminars, and staff involvement for event featuring 75+ vendors offering plants, garden décor, and pet accessories.
• Louisiana Master GardenerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Spring Garden and Pet Show. Master Gardeners provide educational presentations on plant care, soil health, seasonal planting, and Louisiana climate gardening expertise.
• Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization presenting Spirit of Christmas Light Exhibit at plantation during holiday season. Provides therapeutic riding experiences for individuals with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities.
• EntergyminorOthersCorporate sponsor that donated original enslaved cabins from Helvetia Plantation to Destrehan Plantation. Cabins used for educational purposes depicting enslaved living quarters and cooper shop.
• Spuddy Faucheux / Spuddy's Cajun FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaitland 'Spuddy' Faucheux provides Cajun cooking demonstrations in historic mule barn for combo tours. Owner of Spuddy's Cajun Foods specializing in smoked Cajun meats and Cajun dishes. Cooking participation optional for guests.
• Wendell PierceminorOthersActor and New Orleans native provides narration for free audio download about the 1811 German Coast Slave Revolt. Audio accessible at the1811slaverevolt.com website.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oak Alley Plantation: Iconic antebellum sugar plantation on the River Road with a tree-lined alley, restaurant, and overnight lodging. Competes for the same River Road day-trip tourist and wedding/event market with comparable guided tours, F&B, and event-venue revenue mix.
• Longue Vue House and Gardens: Historic New Orleans estate and gardens offering guided tours, educational programming, and private events. Comparable scale and operational model as a non-profit historic property monetizing tours, education, and event rentals in the New Orleans market.
• Nottoway Plantation: Largest antebellum plantation in the South, located in White Castle, Louisiana. Competes for wedding and event venue bookings and overnight heritage stays with a comparable combination of tours, dining, and lodging revenue streams.
• San Francisco Plantation: Creek-side River Road plantation noted for its ornate Creole architecture and guided house tours. Direct competitor for the same drive-through itinerary of multiple River Road plantations and overlapping tourist demographic.
• Whitney Plantation: Wallace, Louisiana plantation museum dedicated to the history of slavery in the South. Direct competitor for history-focused tourists and K-12 school field trips, with a similarly interpretive — slavery-centered — narrative arc overlapping Destrehan's Miller-Haydel exhibits.
• Laura Plantation: Creole plantation on the River Road between New Orleans and Baton Rouge offering guided tours focused on Creole and enslaved-community history. Overlaps with Destrehan on French/Spanish Creole interpretive content and the same school-group tour channel.
• Pitot House / Louisiana Landmark Society: Non-profit historic house museum in New Orleans operating similarly small-staff educational tours and venue rentals. Comparable operational footprint to Destrehan in the New Orleans regional market, with a parallel non-profit preservation and tour model.
• Houmas House Estate: Historic River Road plantation and gardens between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Operates a formal combo-tour partnership with Destrehan Plantation, indicating overlapping customer base and directly comparable ticketed historical-tourism offerings along the same corridor.

Emerging players

• Beauvoir: Jefferson Davis home and presidential library in Biloxi, Mississippi — a historic house museum with tours, museum exhibits, and event venue. Compares to Destrehan as a Southern non-profit historic property balancing interpretive content with weddings and special events.

Regional players

• Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site: State-run historic plantation and gardens in St. Francisville with formal gardens and house tours. Operates in the same Louisiana River Road heritage corridor but under state management, making it an adjacent rather than head-to-head commercial competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 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/river-road-historical-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 River Road Historical Society