Highlands/Perkins in Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Double-Pen Slave Cabin

c. 1830

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, December 28, 2017

1. Double-Pen Slave Cabin Marker

Inscription.
This two-room house is thought to be the oldest of the other Welham Plantation slave cabins because of its unusual construction. Note the 'one-by-twelve' inch boards across the front. It has beveled edge siding on the front wall. The framing is of mortise-and-tenon construction. The architectural styling of this building is frequently referred to as "saddlebag" because of the two rooms straddling a single, central chimney which is shared by back-to-back fireplaces.

Most slaves lived in sparsely furnished cabins. Their bedding usually consisted of a pallet of straw, corn shucks, or moss laid on the floor and covered with a blanket or quilt. Crude chairs with seats of animal hide, woven rush, or corn shucks were the norm. Handmade tools and cooking utensils were occasionally fashioned with items handed down by the overseer or plantation owner. Lighting was typically crude iron vessels designed to hold burning rush or grease.

Donated by L. Keller and Company, 1970.

Caption: Rear view of double-pen slave cabin. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 30° 24.628′ N, 91° 6.907′

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W. Marker is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is in Highlands/Perkins. Marker can be reached from Essen Lane (State Road 3064) south of Interstate 10, on the right when traveling south. Located on the grounds of the LSU Rural Life Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge LA 70808, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sick House (a few steps from this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Single Pen Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Bagatelle Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Single-Pen Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Overseer's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyrone Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.

Also see . . . LSU Rural Life Museum. (Submitted on December 31, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, December 28, 2017

2. Double-Pen Slave Cabin Marker

Double-Pen Slave Cabin interior image. Click for full size.

December 28, 2017

3. Double-Pen Slave Cabin interior

Welham Plantation House about 1968. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, 1968

4. Welham Plantation House about 1968.

The Welham Plantation house was built in 1835, and was located in St. James Parish near Hester, on the River Road (Ga 44). The Marathon Oil Company acquired the property in 1975, and tore down the house in 1979. A house trailer now stands on the site.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 935 times since then and 264 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 31, 2017. 4. submitted on December 31, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.