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39 Dozens of writers have proposed that Labatut was built between 1790 and 1810 for Evarist Barra (fl. 1790–1830), a Spanish nobleman who would help defend New Orleans during the War of 1812. However, architectural details and analysis of nails used in construction suggest that the present house was most likely constructed after 1818, about the time that Jean-Pierre Labatut (b. ca. 1787), son of Jean-Baptiste Labatut (1752–1839), one of Andrew Jackson’s generals and treasurer of the City of New Orleans, married Euphemie Barra (fl. 1795–1818), the landowner’s sister. Other records suggest that Labatut was built as late as 1830 for Zénon Porché (ca. 1791–1861 or 1872), who occupied the house at the time with his wife, Julie Pourciau (1825–1880). Both were free people of color. Located near New Roads, in Pointe Coupée Parish, Labatut represents a crucial milestone in the history of Louisiana plantation architecture. It combines the essential features of a Creole plantation house—such as second-story loggia with turned colonnettes, a briquette entre poteaux (bricks made from bousillage) construction method, and hipped umbrella roof—with Greek Revival details, such as the cornice fanlights and interior decorative motifs. Labatut thus represents a transitional style. The bottom story is constructed of locally produced brick, and the upper of cypress planks. Six slender Doric columns on the ground floor meet six cypress columns on the upper floor. The fanlight transoms and sidelights are reminiscent of English Georgian architecture. Tebbs took pains to emphasize these features in his photographs. An innovative wide central hall, adapted from French Colonial architecture for ventilation, is one of the innovative features of the house and was copied by many subsequent plantations in the region. Unfortunately , the Mississippi riverbank gradually eroded the land in front of the house, resulting in the need for a levee that rises to the level of the porch on the second story. Remarkably, members of the Labatut family occupied the house continuously until about 1983, and still own the property. LABATUT PLANTATION 1790/1818 Labatut Plantation (entrance with Doric columns, stairs, and fanlight entrance), vintage gelatin silver print, Louisiana State Museum, 1956.087.100 Labatut Plantation (rear elevation), gelatin silver print, Louisiana State Museum, 1956.087.091a Labutut Plantation (front door with sidelights and fanlight), vintage gelatin silver print, Louisiana State Museum, 1956.087.095 40 Whitney Plantation (front elevation), vintage gelatin silver print, Louisiana State Museum, 1956.087.001b ...

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