In the Shadows of the Big House: Twenty-First-Century Antebellum Slave Cabins and Heritage Tourism in Louisiana

In the book "In the Shadows of the Big House: Twenty-First-Century Antebellum Slave Cabins and Heritage Tourism in Louisiana," author Stephen Small explores the role, treatment, and representation of slave cabins at plantation museum sites in contemporary heritage tourism. He examines sixteen twenty-first-century antebellum slave cabins located on three plantation museum sites in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and explores what representations of slavery and slave cabins convey about the reconfiguration of the past and the rearticulation of history in the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

In the midst of calls for the removal of Confederate monuments across the South, a vast network of museums, buildings, and other historical sites constitute a significant part of the southern heritage industry. Louisiana, one of the most prominent and frequently visited states that benefit from this tourism, boasts over sixty heritage sites housed in former slave plantations. These sites hold the remnants, restorations, reconstructions, and replicas of antebellum slave cabins and quarters.

In the Shadows of the Big House: Twenty-First-Century Antebellum Slave Cabins and Heritage Tourism in Louisiana is a groundbreaking book that delves into the intricate role, treatment, and representation of slave cabins at plantation museum sites in contemporary heritage tourism. Authored by Stephen Small, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of sixteen twenty-first-century antebellum slave cabins situated on three plantation museum sites in Natchitoches, Louisiana: Oakland Plantation, Magnolia Plantation Complex, and Melrose Plantation. Small traces the historical trajectory of plantations and slave cabins since the Civil War, shedding light on the evolving representations of slavery and slave cabins within these sites.

Through meticulous analysis, Small examines the ways in which these representations convey about the reconfiguration of the past and the rearticulation of history in the present. He delves into themes such as the role of white ethnic identity in portraying elite whites, the extent and significance of Black voices and Black visions in shaping representations of these plantations, and the implications of social forgetting and social remembering within Louisiana and the South. Small also explores the ways in which gender structures the social organization of these sites and the role and influence of the state in shaping the social organization and representation of these historical places.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of heritage studies, providing insights into the complex dynamics of heritage tourism, historical representation, and social memory. It offers a nuanced understanding of the ways in which historical sites, particularly those associated with slavery, contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and biases, while also providing opportunities for reconciliation and healing. By examining the role of slave cabins in contemporary heritage tourism, Small challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of preserving and interpreting the past and encourages them to engage in meaningful dialogue and action to promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

In conclusion, In the Shadows of the Big House: Twenty-First-Century Antebellum Slave Cabins and Heritage Tourism in Louisiana is a must-read for anyone interested in heritage tourism, historical representation, and social memory. Through its comprehensive analysis and thoughtful insights, this book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and the challenges we face in the present. It encourages us to reflect on the ways in which historical sites shape our perceptions of the world and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496845559