Shadows on the Teche -
Once seen it is never forgotten, hidden among the moss-draped live oaks,
rooted, serene and calm along the banks of Bayou Teche. Eight massive double
story columns shelter the porch which stretches its entire width. The brick
walls beyond disappear into the shadows.
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| Shadows on the Teche - Front (street) Elevation |
Shadows began life in 1832. Its designer is unknown. Its brick walls, made
from local clay, were probably raised by the efforts of the 150+ slaves who
worked the estate. But the history of its owners goes back further.
The Swazie family, Royalists, backers of King James I during the Cromwellian
revolution, fled to the colonies upon Cromwell’s victory, eventually settling
in New Jersey. William Weeks, recently arrived from England and settled in
Maryland, married a member of the Swazies. During the American Revolution the
Swazies again sided with the King and after defeat they resettled in the
Felicianas, young William Weeks and his wife moving with them.
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| Shadows on the Teche - Garden Elevation facing Bayou Teche |
The families eventually owned several estates across Louisiana and when
William died, his son David inherited the properties. One of these estates was
conveniently located next to the town of New Iberia and the Bayou Teche. David
and his wife Mary chose this 158 acre tract to build the extraordinary we see
today.
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| Shadows on the Teche - 2-story porch with screens |
But tragedy struck and within 2 years of its completion David Weeks died, leaving
Mary behind with several children. The widow, Mary weeks later remarried but kept
the estate in her and her children’s name, rather than in the name of her new
husband. Louisiana law, based on French precedents, allowed for this. This was
not the last tragedy to strike the family though. Two of her children died in the
1856 Last Hurricane disaster.
During the course of the Civil War the family remained strong supporters of slavery
and secession. Mary died in 1863, while the house was occupied by Union
soldiers. Her son William, the sole heir, was able to restore some of the
family’s fortune after the war, but in succeeding generations the estate was
gradually sold off until only the 2 ½ acres that remain today were left.
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| Shadows on the Teche - Front Elevation |
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| Shadows on the Teche - Porch stairs |
Shadows’ builder is unknown but the house bears many similarities to its
contemporary, Chretien Plantation 40 miles away. Very likely the same builders and
craftsmen were involved. The quality of both the design and execution are very
high.
The floor plans of both mansions are very similar and follow French and
Creole precedents, with 3 rooms arranged in a row across the front, while
behind these are 2 rooms separated by a porch. In both houses the porch was built
as a fully enclosed space, serving as the main entry facing the river.
The columned elevation faces the main road.
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| Shadows on the Teche - First Floor Plan |
Centered on the river side is a
spacious entry hall with three sets of French doors opening out onto the garden.
The opposite face of the hall leads directly to the drawing room, the most
spacious and elegant room in the house. With the doors of both rooms left open,
breezes would pass through the house on hot, humid days, cooling the shaded
interiors.
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| Shadows on the Teche - Second Floor Plan |
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| Shadows on the Teche - Drawing Room |
With its beautifully executed Greek Revival detailing and its skillful connection
to the surrounding landscape, Shadows on the Teche remains one of the finest
surviving examples of Antebellum architecture anywhere in the USA.
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| Shadows on the Teche - Architectural Details |
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| Shadows on the Teche - Architectural Details |
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| Shadows on the Teche - Architectural Details |
Shadows on the Teche is open to visitors.
All drawings and photos are from the Historic American Building Survey (
HABS)
archive.
To purchase full size printed architectural plans please visit
HistoricAmerican Homes at eBay.
