The Courtyard and more ...

   
St. Joseph's School    c. 1867, Convent, Louisiana

St. Joseph's School House dominates 
the courtyard. Established in 1867 by the 
Sisters of the Sacred Heart, 
St. Joseph's School House was the first 
Catholic school established for children of color.
  

Originally located at St. Michael's Church 
in Convent, the school remained open 
until 1966, when it was combined with 
St. Michael's Schools at Convent

 

              Click here to read the sign         

 
The Courtyard makes a perfect setting for your large gathering ...
Plan your wedding, anniversary, corporate function, etc, 
and let us help make your event a special one ...

Slave cabins - Helvetia Plantation - Convent, Louisiana  c. 1850

  These two buildings face one another and enclose the courtyard between
The Cabin and St. Joseph's Schoolhouse.

And there's more to see ...

L'Armitage General Store  c. 1850, Darrow, Louisiana

               
There were two of these buildings, just alike and side by side.  Only one was saved when the Mississippi River's levee was moved to its current location in 1932. 

Now attached to The Cabin, 
it provides  extra seating area for the 
restaurant and lots of 
space for memorabilia 
and collectibles.

Joseph Dornier House  c.1850, Convent, Louisiana

  
Dornier was the 
1st Sheriff of 
St. James Parish

This building is still 
being renovated.

Louisiana Rice  

Near the entrance to 
The Cabin sits a small
sugar kettle which has
Louisiana Rice 
growing in it 
for you to see ...
click to see larger view

"Rock" the Alligator

Resting in the Cabin's front garden, "Rock" 
was carved from a virgin cypress sinker log.

This log was cut down approximately 
100 to 120 years ago, on the banks of the 
Amite River.  It had been laying on the 
river bed under mud since then.