Two special events at Cane River Creole National Historical Park will recall and honor those who were enslaved at the plantation/NPS

Two separate illumination events will take place at Cane River Creole National Historical Park in Louisiana in February as part of Black History Month to remember and honor the people who were enslaved on Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation.

The free illumination events and self-guided tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. The tours will cover about a half-mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and will occur rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions. The event at Oakland Plantation will be on February 20. The plantation is located at 4386 Highway 494, Natchez, Louisiana. A week later, on February 27, a similar event will be held at Magnolia Plantation, which can only be accessed from Louisiana Highway 1, is located at 5549 Highway 119, Derry, Louisiana.

The institution of enslavement and the act of emancipation have left indelible imprints on many aspects of Cane River life, and the park has been working for many years to uncover the stories of all the people that lived on the two plantations. The process was a long one, and one that is still ongoing. Each luminary represents an enslaved man, woman, or child. Groupings of luminaries reflect a moment in time in the plantation’s history. Luminaries will be marked with the names, ages, places of origin and skills of the enslaved individuals when possible. This information has been retrieved from original archives.

“We honor them by finding out their names and remembering their contributions to the landscape, the park and our country,” said Chief of Interpretation Barbara Justice. “It is important that we remember all of the people that helped create the nation, that we remember not just the good parts of our story but also the painful parts. We can’t heal if we don’t acknowledge the pain.”

Anyone who might know more details about enslaved people who lived and worked on Oakland or Magnolia is encouraged to reach out and share. In addition, please contact the park if you would be willing to volunteer to assemble and/or place luminaries on February 20 or February 27.