Historic Antebellum Plantation, the Largest in the Nation, Reduced to Ashes

The largest surviving antebellum plantation in the United States has tragically been reduced to ashes, as reported by PEOPLE. On Thursday, May 15, the south wing of Nottoway Resort, which was previously transformed from a plantation into a prominent travel hotspot and wedding venue, succumbed to flames, leaving the once-majestic 64-room estate in ruins by 10 p.m. The fire’s origin remains undetermined, with no injuries reported. The following day, Iberville Parish President Craig Daigle commented on the devastation, emphasizing that while the plantation's history is rooted in injustice, it has also evolved into a site for education and dialogue. Built in 1858 by John Hampden Randolph, Nottoway served as a significant tourist attraction, whose loss will resonate throughout the community, state, and beyond.