FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 August 2004
Vacherie, LA:
“Laura: A Creole Plantation is ALIVE and KICKING !” says Norman Marmillion, general manager of the site. Even as a devastating fire still blazed on the night of Monday, August 9, the decision was made to open for tours the following day. While listening intently to the stories that have made Laura Plantation an internationally respected historic site, tourists looked on as plantation employees salvaged furniture, heirlooms and artifacts Tuesday morning.
Staff members arrived to find a significant portion of the nearly 200 year-old house still standing. “The front gallery, façade, walls and most of the floor form a good foundation for restoration work to begin,” says Joseph Dunn, Laura Plantation’s director of sales and marketing. “We want everyone to know that we’re still here, we’re still doing tours, and we want people to come. At our request, our friends and partners in the tourism industry immediately responded by maintaining their daily tour schedules and sending us visitors. The outpouring of goodwill, offers of help and support has been overwhelming. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone.”
Laura’s newest product will combine elements of the standard “Creole Family Tour” with stories from the “Slavery in Creole Louisiana Tour.” Visitors will not only see restoration work as it begins and progresses, but can still expect the high standard of tour quality for which Laura is known.
Tours begin daily at 9:30 a.m. and continue every 20 minutes throughout the day until 4:00 p.m.
Please call the plantation directly at 225.265.7690 for additional information.