Melrose on the Cane

Melrose Plantation, also known as Yucca Plantation, is a National Historic Landmark in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana. The Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches owns the plantation and provides guided tours with unlimited photographic opportunities of the main house and its outbuildings. Discover the two-hundred year history of beautiful Melrose Plantation. The birth of a slave, Marie Therese Coincoin and her ten Franco-African children with Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer became the legacy of the Isle Brevelle Creole community. Descendants of the Metoyer family live along Cane River today, a people proud of their heritage and culture. Realize the impact of the American Civil War and reconstruction on Cane River and the survival of a southern plantation along with the establishment of the Melrose freedman school by Fanny Hertzog. Explore the wonders of the early 20th century Melrose artists retreat founded by Carmelite Garrett Henry and follow the discovery of Clementine Hunter, one-time Melrose cook, as she emerged as Louisiana’s most celebrated primitive artist. A National Historic Landmark, Melrose Plantation contains nine historic buildings including African House, Yucca House, Weaving Cabin, Bindery and the Big House. A collection of work by world famous African American folk artist Clementine Hunter is available for viewing including her popular African House Murals.