Thomas Jayne will be visiting Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge on Sunday, August 7th and signing his books American Decoration and The Finest Rooms in America from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. The event is part of Magnolia Mound’s “First Free Sundays” series being held each month in 2016 to celebrate their 50th year of historic preservation with free guided tours and special programming.
Visit the Friends of Magnolia Mound’s site and the BREC site to learn more about the house and stay tuned to their Facebook page for more info on this coming First Free Sunday.
Magnolia Mound has special significance for Thomas. He selected the dining room as one of America’s most beautiful rooms in The Finest Rooms, and featured it on its cover as well. Read about why he admires this room so much in this excerpt.
The house and property are important part of Louisiana history and worth a special visit. Magnolia Mound Plantation is a rare survivor of the vernacular architecture influenced by early settlers from France and the West Indies. In 1966 a spirited local campaign which included school children, citizens and preservationists from across the state united to prevent the last-minute demolition of Baton Rouge’s oldest surviving frame house. A successful court action allowed Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (also known as BREC) to acquire the house and a six acre tract surrounding containing a grove of ancient live oak trees.
This venerable landmark is unique in southern Louisiana not simply because of its age, quality of restoration, or outstanding collections, but because it is still a vital part of the community. Through educational programs, workshops, lectures, festivals and other special events, Magnolia Mound’s mission is to illustrate and interpret the lifestyle of the French Creoles who formed the fascinating culture which still influences and pervades life in southern Louisiana.
