Felicity Plantation, the sister Plantation to St. Joseph, is a striking example of mid-19th century Louisiana architecture and a window into the state’s complex sugarcane history. Constructed between 1844 and 1847, the home blends Greek Revival style with strong Creole influence, standing today as one of the most recognisable landmarks along the Mississippi River.

In 1877, the Waguespack family purchased Felicity along with neighbouring St. Joseph Plantation at a sheriff’s sale. By 1901, both estates were incorporated into a single 2,500-acre sugarcane operation that continues under the same ownership today. Sugarcane is still grown and harvested here, linking the plantation’s past to its present role as both a working farm and a historic site.

A guided tour of Felicity invites guests to explore the preserved home and grounds while learning about the people whose lives were tied to the estate. The interpretation addresses the realities of enslavement, as well as the generations of workers who remained after emancipation, recognizing the labour and resilience that sustained the plantation well into the 20th century. Visitors gain a more complete understanding of both the hardships and privileges that shaped life along the River Road.

Felicity has also become a recognisable backdrop in film and television. Its dramatic setting has been featured in productions including The Skeleton Key, 12 Years a Slave, the remake of Roots, Underground, and Filthy Rich. Guests will not only encounter history inside the home but also recognise familiar scenes brought to life on screen.

Today, Felicity Plantation remains both a working sugarcane farm and a living landmark. A visit here offers the chance to step back in time, appreciate its architecture, and reflect on the diverse experiences, of families, enslaved people, and labourers, that continue to shape its legacy.