Thursday, May 27, 2010

Cedars Plantation ~ Oak Ridge, Louisiana

My daughter and son-in-law are about to buy this old farmhouse that is listed on the Nationial Registry for Historical Places.  It was built in the 1840's and is said to be the oldest homestead in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana.  The place has been vacant for almost 2 years, since it's owner passed away.  Her only surviving heir has reluctantly decided that she has to sell the home and wants to sell it to them, because she feels that they are the ones that could love and cherish this house and bring it back to life.  These are just a few of the many pics that we have taken of this place and quite frankly, I just don't know what to do.  This homeplace is beautiful.  The trees and farmland are an outdoor dream (son-in-law) and the wide wood plank floors with the original doors and fixtures are my daughters dream. 

There is peeling wallpaper everywhere. 
The lady that last lived in this house loved her "pretty little things".  She has put shelves in almost every window and these shelves are full of bottles and pretties.  The daughter showed us TONS of old arrow heads and other very interesting artifacts that have been found on the property.    Ms Jane obviously collected rocks too.


The floors appear to be solid and beautiful.




The roof will be replaced first thing.  They have already measured and priced the materials to put a metal roof up there in an effort to make it look as close to the original tin roof as possible.


This front porch is a dream.
I can imagine sitting out there on a summer evening, shelling peas or butterbeans like
we did when I was a child.


The original shutters are in a shed in back of the old house and they will be added back to the house as soon as the insulating is done. 

What would you do?  Has anyone out there ever taken on such a project?  We know that it will take many years to finish but also know that they are young and once the place is just "liveable", they will conquer one project at a time. 

I will show you this place room by room and will also show the renovation when it begins.  It should be fun and if anyone wants to come over and play, you are more than welcome.  Let me know your thoughts.

6 comments:

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Wow that is such an awesome house !! I cannot wait to watch them redo it ~ I love old homes with history ~

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

No, I have never taken on such a project but I can say that once this one is finished, it will be absolutely lovely.
Living in Louisiana myself and loving the old homes, I hope that your daughter has a lifetime of wonderful new memories here. It will be well worth the sweat and tears to bring her back to her glory days.
You have to keep us posted and I'd love to see you shelling pecans or butterbeans...I'll be looking forward to it :)

Lindz's Cafe' said...

Hey girl! Great pictures of the house - I hope it all works out - you know you can count me in to help.
Sheila

The Flying Bee said...

Hi Juanita!

Thanks for following my blog! I always love to "meet" other Louisiana girls. I was actually born in Monroe! I left when I was five, when my parents got divorced. We moved to New Iberia and that's where I grew up...in Cajun Country. And yes...Bon Creole does have the best shrimp poboys! :)

I can't believe you had a spot in Canton! I wish I would have known... I would have come to say hi and take a bunch of your fabulous things off your hands! I love your signs! The garden one with the spindle is my fave!

I look forward to keeping up with you now.

Take care,
Adrienne

debi lynn mattingly said...

Be still my heart!!! What an honor to be able to take a piece of our history and bring it back to life.

Growing up along the Red River, I remember sitting on Meme's porch, shelling those peas...hated it back then, but now that I am older it does bring back some pretty fond memories of listening to the Elders and all their stories!

Can't wait to see more as ya'll bring it back to life! xo...deb

Unknown said...

I could be wrong.... if my research is leading me correctly - my great, great grandmother was born on this land at the cusp of the abolition of slavery.