What was the big house on a plantation called?

What was the big house on a plantation called?

The planter’s residence, often called the “Big House” by slaves, was the most prominent building by virtue of its size and position and occasionally was adorned with stylish architectural features. The columned portico, even today, remains the prime icon of plantation identity.

What is a plantation style house called?

Antebellum homes refer to the large, elegant mansions — usually plantation homes — built in the American South during the 30 years or so before the American Civil War (1861-1865). Antebellum means “before war” in Latin. Antebellum is not a particular house style or architecture.

What is a large plantation?

A plantation is a large-scale estate, generally centered on a plantation house, meant for farming that specializes in cash crops. The crops that are grown include cotton, coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar cane, opium, sisal, oil seeds, oil palms, fruits, rubber trees and forest trees.

What makes a house a plantation?

A common definition of what constituted a plantation is that it typically had 500 to 1,000 acres (2.0 to 4.0 km2) or more of land and produced one or two cash crops for sale.

Why were plantation houses so big?

Some started out as practical farmhouses, while others were built to be decadent from the start. As plantation owners made more money, they often added to their homes to make them larger and more imposing. What features define a plantation house?

Why are plantation houses so big?

Do plantation houses still exist?

Though some plantation homes remain private residences—most on far smaller properties—many were transformed into historic sites for tourists. But they’re often romanticized as beautiful houses set among elegant gardens, disregarding the darker side of their history.

Is plantation a type of house?

In the American South, antebellum plantations were centered on a “plantation house,” the residence of the owner, where important business was conducted. Slavery and plantations had different characteristics in different regions of the South.

What to do with a Spanish colonial house?

Whether on a large acreage, estate sized lot, or waterfront setting, our home plans are designed to capture views and make its owners feel like they are immersed in their outdoor setting. Spanish Colonial style homes are great for entertaining guests or simply relaxing due to their casual and relaxed atmosphere.

What was a plantation house in the south?

Plantation houses in the Southern United States and in other areas are known as quite grand and expensive architectural works today, though most were more utilitarian, working farmhouses. In the American South, antebellum plantations were centered on a ” plantation house ,” the residence of the owner, where important business was conducted.

How big does a plantation house need to be?

A plantation style home is ideal for a large family due to the sheer amount of space on the inside. It can have five or more bedrooms with an equal number of full bathrooms, including guest suites for extended family. Those who also plan to build on a massive lot with plenty of acreage are the prime candidates for plantation floor plans.

What kind of plans are used for plantation homes?

Today’s plantation house plans have evolved from the plans of the past, keeping the home’s large size but improving upon the interiors and the exteriors of those that were designed during the years of the Civil War. Southern plantation floor plans were designed with Greek Revival and French Colonial styles in mind.