LCV Winter 2012 - (Page 35)

states. destrehan’s oil operations were now part of a solid and growing petroleum industry in Louisiana that had begun in Jennings, where the state’s first refinery was built in 1903. the industry was further strengthened by a massive refining plant built by standard oil Company in 1909, the heart of its Baton rouge operations. doheny’s refinery managers began living in destrehan manor beginning in 1916. a virtual village surrounded the manor house that included segregated workers’ housing, a store, recreational facilities, meeting places and a school. the company also sponsored the mex-Pet team, a semiprofessional baseball team that drew popular attention with its excellent players. doheny sold part of his oil interests in 1924 and the remainder about 1929. standard oil became the parent company of the operations at destrehan. a major rebuilding of the refinery in the 1950s increased production, which through the years had declined due to aging equipment. the new facility was state-of-the-art. one cost of this improvement was the dismantling of the destrehan company community. houses were moved off-site onto nearby lots, as were the store and other elements of the former village. although rebuilding the refinery increased profits, further corporate reorganization in 1957 caused the plant’s closing by the end of the decade. The successful collaboration that restored Destrehan provides a model for other historic landmarks to emulate. Rebirth on the River Road the refinery’s end left the destrehan manor shuttered and abandoned, though in good condition. But before many years had passed, vandals and curiosity seekers damaged the property, as did hurricane Betsy in 1965. Vegetation grew unchecked, obscuring the house from view. Clearly, attention was needed, and needed quickly, if this architectural landmark was to survive. in 1968, a group of friends, concerned for destrehan’s future successfully petitioned amoco Corporation — the owner since the reorganization of the 1950s — to replace the old roof and to secure the property and house against intruders. the company also indicated a willingness to donate destrehan to a non-profit group that would preserve the house. in early 1969, Louisiana granted a charter to the river road historical society, which also received tax-exempt status from the internal revenue service. the first board — wayne Gaupp, ralph r. miller, henry Boudin, thelma schexnayder, Betty Lanasa haydel, harold Cambre, June and Paul murray, and arlene and henry friloux Jr. — began raising the quarter of a million dollars that repairs would require. in december 1971, the house and nearly four acres of land were deeded to the society. at the same time, an adjacent tract nearly one hundred times that size was sold and ultimately developed as a business park. Just prior to formal transfer to the society in 1971, the first fall festival was launched at destrehan as both a showcase for the property and a fundraiser. this event still remains an anchor of destrehan’s calendar and fundraising efforts. By 1978 the structure had been safely stabilized and three of its rooms furnished and opened for tours. the devoted labors of staff, volunteers, friends, citizens, as well as governmental efforts over the next three decades have realized the ambitious vision of the society’s first board. Key to the support of destrehan’s community-oriented role are loyal members, corporate supporters and philanthropic organizations. of the latter, the azby fund, (named for nicolas azby destrehan, the last of the male line) has contributed greatly for renovations, collections and programs through the years. the fund was established by herbert J. harvey Jr., great-grandson of Louise destrehan harvey and Joseph hale harvey. the azby fund’s donations following damage caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005 have been critical in restoring destrehan as a treasured part of the regional cultural landscape. the ongoing chronicle of destrehan Plantation’s past, its present relevance and its future role is in the stewardship of the river road historical society. ________________________________________________________________ John Lawrence is director of museum programs at The Historic New Orleans Collection. Richard Sexton is a New Orleans based photographer. His work may be viewed at www.richardsextonstudio.com. This feature story was excerpted from Destrehan: The Man, The House, The Legacy (River Road Historical Society, 2008) by Eugene D. Cizek and John Lawrence with photographs by Richard Sexton. Destrehan Plantation is open for tours daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.destrehanplantation.org, or phone (985) 764-9315. The historic home is located in Destrehan at 13034 River Road. Special group rates are available for groups of 20 or more, and special-interest group tours are available on request. Interactive tours are also available by appointment for student groups. The property is available for corporate dinners, weddings and other special occasions as well. Winter 2012-13 • Louisiana CuLturaL Vistas 35  http://www.richardsextonstudio.com http://www.destrehanplantation.org

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