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Statue
within the Afton Villa Gardens
Courtesy of the Capital Resource
Conservation and Development Council
Several
views of the Afton Villa Gardens showing the pond,
azaleas and the boxwood parterre
Courtesy of Lagniappe Tours,
Foundation for Historical Louisiana |
Begun in 1849 and restored in
1915, the terraced garden of Afton Villa stands as an outstanding example
of antebellum landscape architecture. The 140 acres of rolling countryside
which house the gardens include a mile and a half driveway enveloped by
an alley of live oaks. The landscaping effects at Afton Villa were achieved
by taking advantage of the natural contours of the property. Like many
traditional formal southern gardens, Afton Villa has terraces which descend
in stages away from the house. Afton Villa Gardens' most typical traditional
features are its maze and its parterre garden. Both retain their original
designs, although time has allowed for some alterations. A sundial now
marks the spot where a small gazebo once stood. Next to the parterre garden
is the Barrow Family Cemetery. The centerpiece of the cemetery is a large
marble Tuscan obelisk, erected by the United States Congress in memorial
to Senator Alexander Barrow upon his death. The cemetery is the only feature
of the present garden which predates 1849, dating to the time of the first
plantation on the site in the late 18th century. A large hedge surrounds
the cemetery, and an artificial pond and lake dot the grounds.
The history of Afton Villa is entwined with that of the Barrows, one
of the richest and most prominent families in antebellum Louisiana.
Bartholomew Barrow purchased the land in 1820 from his brother William,
and in 1839 he sold it to his son, David. David would eventually carve
out a thriving plantation empire of some 2,000 to 3,000 acres, which
would make him, according to the 1860 census, the wealthiest planter
in West Feliciana Parish. In 1849, he and his second wife, Susan A.
Woolfolk, built around an existing small house to create an imposing
Gothic Revival villa of some 40 rooms, and added the gardens. David
Barrow died in 1874 and his wife continued to live at Afton Villa until
1876, when she sold the estate. The house was destroyed by fire in 1963.
Afton Villa Gardens is popularly known for the azaleas which grow there.
One particular strain, known as the Pride of Afton or Afton Villa Red,
was developed at the gardens.
The Afton Villa Gardens are located at 9247 North US Hwy. 61. The
Gardens are open for self-guided tours 9:00am to 4:30pm March 1-July
1 and October 1-December 1. There is a fee for admission. Call 225-635-6773
or visit the website for further information.
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