Ambrotype- André Bienvenu Roman
Often signing his name as “A.B. Roman”, Andre Bienvenu Roman, was born March 27, 1795 to Jacques Etienne and Louise Patin Roman in St. Landry Parish. He was the ninth child in a sequence of thirteen and brother of Jacques Telesphore Roman. On July 20, 1816, at the...
Ambrotype- Françoisé Aimée Parent Roman
Francoise Amiee Parent was born in New Orleans in 1797. She married Andre Bienvenue Roman on July 20, 1816 in Saint James Parish, Louisiana in a duel wedding ceremony with her brother, Charles Parent who married Andre's sister, Edwige Roman. Andre & Francoise had five children, three boys and two girls.
In this photo, Aimee is photographed in her later years...
Carte de Visites
The carte de visite, or CdV, was one of the first wildly popular and exploitable forms of photography. Finding its origins in early calling cards, the CdV had several attributes that lead to its prominence. First, the size was universal which allowed international trading and...
Coorespondence: Personal and Official
This object contains two calling cards, two letters, and an envelope. The first letter is written from Jeanne R. LaVillebeuvre to her mother, Francoise Aimee Parent Roman. It is informal and very typical of what one would expect to see exchanged between a mother and daughter, family gossip. Despite..
Crab Rattle Shackle
American slavery was an institution that dehumanized Africans and their descendants. Those enslaved often sought to take back their freedom. However, should their attempt at freedom fail and they were caught, they were returned to their owner or resold, now labeled a “maroon” or “runaway”. Such slaves were put in restraints...
Daguerreotype- Eli Farault de LaVillebeuvre
Eli Farault de LaVillebeuvre was born the second child of five on October 29, 1829 to Jean Ursin de LaVillebevure and Elisabeth Chariclee Jourdain. Similar to the Roman family, the de LaVillebeuvres were also extensive, wealthy, and socially prominent. Unlike many of their social class, however, they...
Daguerreotype- Jeanne Aimée Roman de LaVillebeuvre
Jeanne Aimée Roman was born May 25, 1818 to Governor André Bienvenu Roman and Françoise Aimée Parent. In 1852, Jeanne married Eli Farault de LaVillebeuve, son of another wealthy and prominent family. The daguerreotype that we study here has a matching twin showcasing...
Doll's Armoire
This doll’s armoire is a perfect example of the luxury experienced by planter families in the early 19th century. Standing as a miniature of what her parent’s would have owned, Jeanne’s toy is composed of a Rosewood base construction, topped by a Rosewood veneer that is then inlayed with boxwood details. To enhance this toy even more, a mirror fronts a workable door and a beautiful, white marble slab forms the top plane. A small drawer can be found directly under the main storage compartment....
Half Stereograph- Cabanocey Plantation
This stereograph, although only half of its original form, depicts the Cabanocey Plantation of Governor André Bienvenu Roman once located in Vacherie, Louisiana. Cloaked in both historical accuracy and myth, the concept of Cabanocey has taken many forms since...
Last Will & Testament- Nanette Fortin
Born into slavery, Nanette spent the majority of her life being responsible for the personal effects of her owners, however, this is not how she died. Before her death, Nanette had two paper based documents created that would lead future generations to many different observations. Among those two items, which are both...
Lithographic Print- Nannette Fortin
Born into slavery, Nanette Fortin died a free woman. The reasons for taking the “Fortin” name, leaving her former owners as beneficiaries, and crossing so many family lines are vast to say the least. Whether out of necessity or choice, this artwork and her last will and testament are, in fact, testaments to how Nanette viewed herself as both a woman and human....
Marriage Invitation Plate
Roman Silverware
Divisions:
"Big House" Exhibit: Artifact Room
"Big House" Exhibit Exterior
"Big House" Exhibit: Dining Room
"Big House" Exhibit: Lavender Room
Foundation Storage