Traveling to see WHITNEY PLANTATION's Hidden Secrets
Sometimes history is often one sided and usually goes to the victor. But in this video Im traveling to the Whitney plantation in Edgard LA to learn of it's hidden secrets. The Whitney Plantation's purpose is to provide an immersive education on the brutal realities of America's plantation era, fostering reflection, empathy, and a profound understanding of the ongoing struggle for justice.
The plantation continued to operate until 1975 with resident workers and overseers. The two original slave cabins which are on display at Whitney Plantation today were the last workers’ cabins that were still occupied in 1975 when the plantation shut down. Many families lived and worked at Whitney Plantation throughout the 20th century, including the Howard, Poche, Gordon, Joseph, Jasmin, Zeringue, Tassin, Grow, Narcisse, and Cleofer families, among dozens of others.
After the plantation ceased operations, descendants of the last owner, Alfred Barnes, sold the plantation to Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corporation for the purpose of turning the property into a heavy industrial site.
In 1999, John Cummings purchased a portion of the Whitney Plantation property from Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corporation. After a decade-long battle with the local community, Formosa had pulled out of their plans to build the world’s largest rayon manufacturing plant on the site. Formosa’s requirements for the sale were very restrictive, which limited potential buyers. The purchaser had to agree to invest one million dollars into the restoration of the site, and to open it to the public for at least part of the year.
After learning the history of the site and seeing succession documents - property transfers - that included the names of enslaved people, Cummings realized how little he knew about the institution of slavery. He embarked on a 14-year restoration process, with a goal to open the plantation to the public as a museum that focuses entirely on the lives of enslaved people.
Cummings worked with many artists, historians, preservationists, conservators, curators and researchers as he worked to plan what would become Louisiana’s first plantation museum dedicated exclusively to the history of slavery. In the mid-2000s, he met Dr. Ibrahima Seck, a Fulbright scholar from Dakar, Senegal, whose research interests included the intersections of culture between Louisiana and Senegambia. A college professor at the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Seck spent his summers working on research for the Whitney Plantation. He joined Cummings full-time in 2013.
Whitney Plantation opened its doors on December 7, 2014 to a crowd of over 750 people, both local and international. Since its opening, the museum has welcomed over 500,000 people from around the world.
After the first five years operating the museum and over $15 million invested, John Cummings donated the property and converted it to a nonprofit institution in 2019.
Пікірлер: 282
I got a lump in my throat. It's so overwhelming to see what our people had to go through.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I couldn't imagine living then.
This is an extremely moving experience at Whitney Plantation. Definitely a highly recommended tour.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
it really is!
Dude you hit a milestone in your journey not just in the choice destination also in the vivid narration of what it must feel like to visit. Definitely worth a visit. A+ well done
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that!
What a sombering day... Thank you for sharing the history of this slave plantation...heartbreaking 😢🥺...all the names on that wall... And the Field of Angels... Those precious children.😢 Those executed during the 1811 rebellion and then beheaded just sickens me. Thank you for sharing this... Not an easy ride home knowing what happened there. Yes, we can do so much better...🙏✌️💔
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
The babies got to me... we will get better as a nation day by day.
@PurpleOnThree
7 ай бұрын
@@JustGKue 🙏🙏🙏
Powerful! Great video bro! Never forget what the ancestors went through. I truly appreciate this!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Np!
Thank you for sharing this video. Just watching this I did imagine what the people had to go through and I was sick to my stomach. I am so grateful to God for my family and the things that I do have. I feel that I need to share this video. I am going into prayer for a better present and future. 🙏🏽👏🏽👋🏽🖐🏽💯AMEN
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Respect 🙏✌🏾
Thanks for taking us along to learn more about some of the not so great history in our country. Ride safe and enjoy. 👍👊✌️
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!✌🏾
@HDVIBE
7 ай бұрын
@@JustGKue ✌️
I’m currently reading a book by Walter Mosley titled “47.” There is a part when the scene is based in the slave quarters and this video brought the book to life a bit. Thanks for sharing
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
No problem!
Couldn't hold back the tears in remembrance of those souls who passed through this hell. May we bring 'justice' to all those who benefited from this holocaust. Thanks for sharing.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome
I was not familiar with the Whitney Plantation. I've put it on my "must see" list. Very sad and yet, as you said, a reminder that all of us have persevered to be in the present. It is up to us, individually, to do better. Always.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Well said friend!
Thank you, my brother for sharing that history with us. We sometimes forget about our pass. And we really lose the ability to find Our future. But you doing this It keeps us humble and realize who we really are And where we come from.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Respect 💪🏽
Thank you for this trip to, and tour of Whitney Plantation. I have read a lot, and watched a lot of documentaries, about plantation life, however seeing this plantation through your eyes and hearing it through your eloquent words, brings a whole new meaning to it all. Just knowing any human being could treat another human being with such disregard and brutality is so heartbreaking! It is almost beyond comprehension to me. As always, ride safe young man. Please know you are loved and appreciated! God bless you. ❤️🙏
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Great video on a very dark time in American History. And you are correct in saying we can't forget the past as we need to keep learning for the future. This is a great nation and we still have much to do and with people like you bringing these places to us, I hope people continue to learn and accept one another, to grow together make this a better place for all our children to live and thrive. Thank you again for another great video!!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Well said friend!
Thank you so much for making this video. The entire period is heartbreaking. So many people died or injured or I’m sorry, just not being able to be free is wrong. The memorials there… I wish I were able to go to pay my respects.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
It's moving for sure
G. I’ve commented on a few of your videos , my nephew. I watched this video and I want you to know that I am THANKFUL to The Creator , for your life, and your Beautiful Mother, for seeing the light which shines deep inside of you. Your video was very informational and poignant! The way in which you presented the information, minus any personal biases , was just TRULY TRULY EXCELLENT!! I see , sadly, many KZreadrs create content and they consistently add their personal biases to their content. Once this occurs, I’m thinking.. “Miss me with all of that!” The way I’m which you presented the facts in this video not only touched my mind in growing, but my heart in feeling the pain and anguish our people must have felt during those TERRIBLY HARSH times. I want to again say, from my heart…. THANK YOU MY STRONG ,INTELLIGENT, EXCELLENT, NEPHEW . We may not be blood bound but rest assured WE ARE FAMILY! As a senior statesman it does my heart a world of good to know there are GREAT BLACK MEN who will continued to tell OUR story , TRUTHFULLY, the good, bad, and ugly, in a way which teaches all ages and races. You are ALWAYS kept in my prayers and hopefully one day we will meet in person , and ride our bikes down the road together young brother. STAY HEALTHY and HAPPY because everything else you can achieve with those two things in place. All Family Love 💙👊🏾
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Man don't make me cry.... Thank you.. 🙏
@harleydriverpdtnm3996
6 ай бұрын
@@JustGKue It’s ALL YOU young sir. If you cry do so because of the feelings of thankfulness. I know I’ve had a few tears shed from your heart felt videos. Just know, you’ve got family out here you’ve never met, but are more than willing to uplift and carry YOU when needed👊🏾💙
Great job as usual. Very humbling and something every American should see.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you and I agree
Makes you wonder… Thanks for the narration of your visit. My wife and I visited Charleston, SC in June this year. We toured Boone Hall Plantation and Middleton Plantation. These things leave you with a greater appreciation for our ancestors and heritage. Thanks for taking us. ✌🏿🙏🏿
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
No problem at all!
This was your best piece so far. I actually had to pause the video to reflect a little myself. Truly humbling, yet inspiring altogether. Next time I ride through NO, I’m going to stop there too.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Man I appreciate that 🙏 and you should!
Reminders are what keeps us on track and our focus on what’s essential. Thanks bro 😎 Well done. 👍🏽
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Absolutely!
To me this is your best work. Great cinematography and narration. Thank you for exposing me. 👌
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
My pleasure! Thank you!
Sir... Thank you. It is amazing and sad (at the same time) to think of all the stories we don't know...either because our parents/grandparents didn't want to talk about it or thus history that was simply swept away. I appreciate your visual and verbal story telling so much. I feel like I am there. Peace and Love
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're very welcome 🙏
This was an amazing episode. Thank you so much for sharing their story
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're so welcome!
That was very touching. This is a part of history that our young people need to know about. Keep up the good work....
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you
Just as I was feeling sorry for myself this is always a wake up call to be grateful for what I do have
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Indeed
Thank you for sharing… This is overwhelming for me; but I am thankful I was able to see it through eyes and perspective. I love your channel and your videos.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I'm grateful and appreciative 🙏✌🏾
So many different emotions ran through me. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.
Powerful bro. Thanks for going so we can share this experience with you.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
This is extremely interesting and informative I’m from Lafayette Louisiana I would love to take my family to see this.if you don’t know your past you don’t know your future
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Exactly
I enjoyed your video. I was there in New Orleans and went to one of the presentations and went through their tour . It’s quite informative, quite eye-opening. Thank you for taking us along with you today.
Thank you for taking us along. I am going to watch this one a few times to fully comprehend the magnitude of it all.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Np!
I’ve been there twice I enjoyed the original guided tour they used to offer. The guide was more in-depth with each area. I will have see if I can organize meet/ride on twos and revisit the Whitney Plantation. Thanks for the reminder.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
No problem!
Thank You for sharing this my brother…I just went last month to visit this area as I visited NO from Atl.. i had thee exact same feelings…I look forward to seeing your future adventures
Thank you for sharing this painful and educational story. Those sculptures of children, this place will choke you up. Every one should see this.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
You're welcome
Damn Q ,that biography about slaves was Deep my brother things I didn't know, it's got me chocked up, well said greatly narrated and great video, best thing I have ever heard about, keep it coming Q ✌️
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I will friend!
Hello Q. I've been there and it is definitely a humbling experience. Ye, one I am going back to take more TIME to absorb the energy and spirits of those who lost their lives. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences through your lens of so much that I've missed. Appreciate you brother. May God watch over you as continue your journey! Peace!
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Man I definitely appreciate that!
What a heavy history lesson!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Indeed friend...indeed
Love the video, learning history of our brothers and sisters. Please read more of Thomas Saul, a current living legend that will teach us so much more!!!
@jrodriguez8216
7 ай бұрын
So sorry about my spelling error; Mr. Thomas Sowell. Learn so much.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Noted ✅️
Great work bruh. I learned some things from this one. Thanks for sharing fam. 👍🏾
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
No problem ✌🏾
Thank you, very heart warming and touching. ✌️❤️🙏
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
🙏🙏🙏
It’s with Great Gratitude to you that you took us along on this journey. History must be told and your storytelling is on point 💯. I’m sharing this across my other platforms. Blessings my Brother. 🫵🏾✌🏾
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you ✌🏼
This was powerful! Thank You so so much for sharing…🙏🏽❤️
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome 😊 🙏
Thank you for sharing this experience, bless you brother.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
My pleasure
Greatest story teller of all time! Great job bro!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that 🙏
Such a powerful powerful film, To learn of the plight of the Families of Men, Women, Children and Babies at Whitney Plantation moved me to tears, So heartbreaking to hear of this dark evil time in history, I find it so hard to comprehend how such brutal hell could be carried out between God's Children, Bless You G Kue.
Thanks for sharing ..
A lot to think about here. Thanks for putting this up.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome
@Just G Kue- thank you for this. The stories can never be too much when it comes to our people! Keep riding and enlightening brother- Ride for the reason. Ride for the Culture. Ride for our Ancestors!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
✌🏾😊
Extremely sobering……..; I’m extremely grateful for those who have paved the way for me including all the sacrifices of those names this video. Great video G Kue. Much Blessings Bro.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
youre welcome!
My goodness! Beautiful; powerful video G Kue!
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
thx brother!
Great video and thank you for sharing the experience with us.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Much respect!
its great to keep up with history. if not, we are doomed to repeat it. horrible what happened to people back then. I love the content. keep it up.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Absolutely 💯
This was a tuff one bro. But I’m grateful to see how far we have come.
@Tom-jw1pe
7 ай бұрын
And this jus a small piece of the pie…. They had a plantation right at the White House….!!! I had to work there for a year and the other worker treated me like trash….
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Fact
Very touching vlog. Thanks for sharing this very tough and touching content. I’ve been to Edgard many times in my work prior to 2010. Now I definitely must visit this museum! Wow
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're very welcome 🙏
Let me know of any places you know of with interesting history behind it below! id love to travel to it! Dont forget to check out my other trips here! kzread.info/head/PLOQxD1WERKOMloCIs2Fv4gnAwMlWj0ZXx&si=WyHqWubWohC7nzTg
@waltermurphy8496
7 ай бұрын
I know you rode the dragon awhile back but if you get back up that way check out Cades Cove. Part of the national park system now. It's a great piece of early history. The graveyards at the old churches tell some pretty sad stories.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
@@waltermurphy8496 Cades cove!? Definitely gonna look into it
Thanks, great video 💯
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that!
That was so educational G Kue!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Great video brother! Went there last year & it is a humbling experience.
@JustGKue
Ай бұрын
Very!
Thank you for sharing a piece of history.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
Man that Was So Deep Great Video I’ve also wanted to go visit that area.. That was Very Touching Bro. 👊🏽🦅
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that 🙏
Very somber and thought provoking narrative of the Whitney Plantation. It makes me sad that this part of history is in jeopardy of being erased by people who want to change the narrative of our enslaved ancestors. Keep sharing the truth so we can eventually heal and know our true history. Thank you!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
💪🏽
Thank you for providing commentary and documary this was mind blowing we've heard of such places to see is overwhelming my heart grieved but also enlighten... that light is being shed America with all it's imperfections and they somehow seem to forget instead of cleaning around there own door they chose to rescue other foreign countries...
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Well said
Wow man. Very moving to see this. I have to go and visit this site. Thank you so much for sharing
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're so welcome
Just G-KUE, what a great lesson in history. A reminder of where we come from and who we are. If Im in that area again i absolutely want to check out that plantation. Thanks for sharing
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Absolutely! I got you
Wow! Thanks for the hidden secret of the Whitney plantation my next four-day weekend. Think I’m gonna drive over and check it out.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Indeed do so!
This video moved me. Thank you for the History Lesson that I might not have heard had it not been for you. Ride on.
@JustGKue
5 ай бұрын
Thank you and be safe!
This was an experience just watching. I can only guess how you felt in-person. Thanks for this
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
I sat here for 45 minutes trying to think how to respond. All I can say is I'm lost for words and great job on this video. Knuff said. I got kinda choked up.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Its tough for sure. Thank you for watching friend.
Thanks for sharing this informative and moving piece of history.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
No problem!
I am stunned. I had never heard of this horror before. Thank you for sharing.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching 🙏✌🏾
I feel your pain, my ancestors (the indigenous Cherokee tribe) and every indigenous tribes were destroyed, my great grandparents were ripped off the reservation and sent to religious institutions where their names were stripped from them and they weren’t allowed to speak their language and now a once great people are mere shadows of who we were. We all have a history, some histories harder than others but God (The great creator) made us all and the color of our skin has no matter in his glorious eyes. From one child to another I love you all.
@JustGKue
3 күн бұрын
Amen 🙏🏽 sorry to hear about that. I'd love to learn more when I visit again
Been wanting to ride to the Myrtle plantation. Glad I was able to see this view. Looking forward to seeing it in person
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You should!
Hello Sir. Thank you for sharing as always from Louisville Kentucky❤
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You are so welcome
Good work as always
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thx bro
Thanks for the interesting video 👍👍
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome 😊 🙏
Sad...... thank you for showing this... God bless all their souls.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
🙏🙏🙏
My man thank you for being you educating us in your travels living through your eyes
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
My pleasure... always more to come friend
Thanks for this video! Heavy!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
It is heavy
Great video!!!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!!
It's crazy that all that happened. That was a great video bro.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that 🙏
I'm going to be 100%. I saw this video come out and I put off watching it. Your videos are well made and I knew that this subject was going to hit hard. Thank you for sharing this experience. It's important to remember the past. We ignore it at our own peril.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Thank you. They'll be time where we'll be uncomfortable...it's through that discomfort that makes us better.
Thank you for sharing 😢
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're most definitely welcome 🙏
Another banger, you beat us here by a day or so.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Before?
@KickzNHarleyz
6 ай бұрын
@@JustGKue yeah I put my wristband on top of yours but I didn’t know it was yours until I watched the video.
You hit it out the park again bro!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Appreciate that!
GREAT VIDEO BRUH.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Powerful my brother what a lesson.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
It is
This on my must see list
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
It's very deep
Well Done bro --- WELL DONE !!
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
I appreciate that 🙏
Hey brother i love it was so good to see my house town
Excellent video!
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Good for you! I was wanting to to do that before the pandemic, Hell’s Kitchen NY, and maybe catch the jazz festival, which was cancel. Thank you, am watching.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
It was thought provoking for sure
... 😢 very moving G , and no words are needed from me tbh 🙏💔 x ...
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
🙏🙏
What's up Kue safe riding bruh luv your content keep it coming 💯 What's the temp out there
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
55-60 right now
That was awesome you should be a movie or documentary director awesome work.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
That would be nice!
Great history lesson
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Thank you!
This is a good documentary.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Thank you.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
Thank you for showing me the truth that nobody else would.
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Np!
History gotta come visit New Orleans and tour some history thx for sharing bro ✊🏿💯
@JustGKue
7 ай бұрын
Respect big brother
❤❤I'M IM LOVE WITH HISTORY ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This a good video. I’ll be pressing follow. And who song that first song.
@JustGKue
6 ай бұрын
Its called the river...im not sure the artist.