Whitney Plantation & Hansens Museum

Whitney Plantation 

The tour guide Delon stated "even your own foot steps do not belong to you".  This is the story of slavery as expressed by its survivors. The whole experience is from the survivors and it is their stories recall their time spent in slavery as children and teenagers.

The Children of Whitney, sculptures by Ohio-based artist Woodrow Nash, represent  former slaves as they were at the time of emancipation: children. My designated sculpture was Catherine. As we heard the stories about these children and read their writings on the wall.  The Wall of Honor is a memorial dedicated to all the people who were enslaved on the Whitney Plantation. The names and the information related to them (origin, age, skills) were retrieved from original records with as much information as possible, and engraved on granite slabs.I was able to hear the words as if they were coming from a small child. We were able to hear about the lives of the enslaved workers based on the recollections of those who actually lived these stories beginning as small children.

We toured the land where the slaves were kept and the homes they lived in. It was a very disturbing scene and to hear the tour guide explain how high the death rate was, how hot the summers were, and the amount of taxing labor these individuals had to endure on a  basis created chills down my spine, multiplied by knowing most of them were children.

Although this was probably the most somber tour as to date, it was also the most informative and interesting. It was fascinating to be able to see and hear the stories of the slaves, by the slaves. 

Hansens museum 

The National Hansen’s Disease Programs is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We rented two vans and took the one hour trip to the only facility in the United States devoted to diagnosis, treatment, and research concerningu Hansen’s Disease. Legislature declared in 1882 that person’s diagnosed with leprosy in the state are to be quarantined to a selected location, and it was this location we toured. We learned that 95 of people have natural protection against the bacteria that cause HD. For unknown reasons, there are a few people who have little or no protection, so they can get the disease from close contact to an untreated person 

Throughout the tour we were able to see some of the artwork that was done by the patient,Mardi Gras costumes and floats, some of the equipment that was used for sports (softball mits, bicycles, and golf clubs).

It was also interesting to see that some of the occupational therapy items that are still being used today were on display and were actually invented there. The ambulance basket and hand cranked wheelchair defiantly left a lasting impact as how the time have changed over several years. 

I was very happy to see that the patients there were well taken care of and found it interesting how they lived as one separate community within a community. I liked the short movie of the man who explained how he would sneak out and go down the road for a few beers before the night check and he wouldn't get caught. Most importantly I was glad that even when the patients no longer had to be quarantined, the individuals were able to stay there as this was the only way of life them at they knew. That just proves even more that they were well cared for. 

I am glad to see that the resources have not gone to waste and the area is being used today for military and youth programs. It was a very educational and informative visit