Lost Plantation: The Rise and Fall of Seven Oaks

First off, I will admit to a bit of positive prejudice about this book. Four of the chapters relate directly to the Zeringue family in Louisiana. Some of them mentioned in this book are direct ancestors of mine, so my level of interest may be higher than that of the average reader.Nevertheless, the book does provide some detailed history of the growth of the plantation era of the early Louisiana colony. It provides insight into how the farming of sugar cane contributed to the growth of southern Louisiana. It also details the downfall of the plantation system of agriculture in the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War. While there are no huge revelations about Louisiana history made by this book, it does provide an overview of how the Port of New Orleans and the railroads became the driving force for the growth of this area. But it also highlights the heavy-handed collaboration between industry and government in the area, a collaboration that was both beneficial and detrimental to the citizens.The book ends with a retelling of the battles to save the historic antebellum plantation house nicknamed The Seven Oaks. It is a cautionary tale in that respect. I recommend it as a guide for preservationists looking for ways to avoid some of the pitfalls of preservation of historic buildings.I liked the style chosen for writing this book. It was a pleasant read, and it avoided over explanation.

As a Descendant of the Zeringue family, I might be slightly biased about the book, but in trying to be objective - it really was a well written book and very informative. I learned a lot about my Ancestors that I had never known before and even though it brings to light a very troubling past for my family, it is never the less a fact of history and I am also proud of many things about my Ancestors. I was born in 1966, just as Seven Oaks was crumbling to its death. I remember at a very young age, my family having discussions about how wrong it would be if we as a community lost the great treasure that used to be our ancestors home. I never got to go inside or even near the old house as a child because of it's advanced decay, but within the history of the old house within these pages, I felt the experience that was Seven Oaks, and in many ways it felt richer than if I had walked through the ruins as a child. I thank the writer for the time he took to bring this jewel to life in my mind and heart.

Thoroughly researched and well written

What an awesome book. Old plantations, be they lost forever or saved from the wrecking ball, have fascinated me since I was a little girl. I gobble up everything I can about them, visit sites where they once stood and spend lazy afternoons at the ones we are fortunate to still have with us. No racist fantasies goin on...just basking in their beauty and all that once was and dreaming of a time that is no more. So glad that this book was written to honor the memory of this lost treasure.

I have not read this book yet but I plan to. I visited Seven Oaks in the late 60's. It had already began to crumble with the roof having fallen in along the front. But, oh, how magnificent she was with her huge columns standing proud and defiant! You could almost hear the darkies singing as the Master, with his family, sat on the upper veranda in the late eve and watched the steamboats pass by on the mighty Miss. What a treasure lost!I have now read the book! I stand by my original review. What a magnificent mansion it was.

A very sad account of America's lost architecture. At one time, Mississippi was one of the most architecturally diverse states in the country. Sadly, time, neglect, war, vandalism, hurricanes, and fire have reduced the diversity to a mere shadow of its former self. Author Mary Carol Miller does a wonderful job of finding descriptions, backgrounds, and photos of these long lost structures. How unfortunate that photos are all that remain of these once grand structures.

I've always heard of Seven Oaks plantation and 'how sad it's story was'. Now I know and can mourn it's fate with everyone else who has heard the story. I recommend this little book to anyone who is interested in the early history of Louisiana, it's politics, and the building of it's plantation culture. And that culture's end. Anyone who is interested in historic preservation will absolutely bleed over this story!

This book is about my ancestors deserving family they had a plantation in New Orleans in the 17 forties it is very interesting and I'm so proud of my heritage by rating of how good people they were