Highlands/Perkins in Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Double-Pen Slave Cabin
c. 1830
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′
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.)
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.