Joseph Jefferson House | |
Location | Jefferson Island, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
---|---|
Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
Built | 1870 |
Architectural style | Late Victorian |
NRHP reference No. | 73000867 [1] |
Added to NRHP | June 4, 1973 |
The Joseph Jefferson House, also known as the Rip Van Winkle House and Gardens and the Bob Acres Plantation, is a historic house built in 1870 on Jefferson Island in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The Joseph Jefferson House was built in 1870 for Joseph Jefferson, an American stage and silent film actor.
The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places list since June 4, 1973. [2]
The house sits on former Orange Island, now known Jefferson Island. [3] Jefferson Island, is the first of the famous "Five Islands" of south Louisiana. [2] These islands originate in prehistory when the enormous pressures of the earth forced a site of pure rock salt up from a mother bed, five miles below the surface. [2] This elevated several low hills in tidal coastal marshes. [2]
Prior to Joseph Jefferson's ownership, the island was owned by Jean Laffite's brother in-law who had acquired the island through a Spanish land grant. [2]
In 1869, actor Joseph Jefferson bought the island as a hunting and fishing location. [2] The Joseph Jefferson House was built in 1870. [2] Jefferson had played the role of Rip Van Winkle in cinematic adaptations of Washington Irving's short story. [2] Jefferson died in 1905, and the estate was inherited by his family.
The estate was purchased by John Lyle Bayless in 1917. [4] It was later inherited by his son, John Lyle Bayless Jr., who designed the gardens. [2]
On November 20, 1980, the Jefferson Island disaster happened, they had been oil drilling in Lake Peigneur when the rig hit into a salt mine which caused a large sink hole. [5] In 2001, the home and garden tours had closed due to neglect. [4] In Fall of 2002, Hurricane Lili caused extensive damages. [4]
From 1982 until 1991, the house was owned by the Live Oak Gardens Foundation (which had renamed the site, Live Oak Gardens). [4] From 1991 until 2003, the house was owned by Carolyn Doerle and Ron Ray. [4] Since October 2003, the home is owned by Michael "Mike" Richard (of Live Oak Gardens Limited). [4] [5] Richard had worked at the home from 1969 to 1991 and has restored it. [4]
The house currently offers paid tours, a cafe and gift shop. [4]
The 22 room house was designed in the Moorish Revival and Gothic Revival architectural styles. [2] [5] It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since June 4, 1973. [1]
Most all of the materials for the building of this house were local to Louisiana, with exception to the slate on the roof and small mahogany wood used for ornate pieces. [5] The house was built with cypress trees on the island, allegedly planted by French privateer Jean Laffite. [2]
New Iberia is the largest city in and parish seat of Iberia Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The city of New Iberia is located approximately 21 miles southeast of Lafayette, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in the region of Acadiana. The 2020 United States census tabulated a population of 28,555. New Iberia is served by a major four lane highway, being U.S. 90, and has its own general aviation airfield, Acadiana Regional Airport. Scheduled passenger and cargo airline service is available via the nearby Lafayette Regional Airport located adjacent to U.S. 90 in Lafayette.
Joseph Jefferson III, often known as Joe Jefferson, was an American actor. He was the third actor of this name in a family of actors and managers, and one of the most famous 19th century American comedians. Beginning as a young child, he continued as a performer for most of his 76 years. Jefferson was particularly well known for his adaptation and portrayal of Rip Van Winkle on the stage, reprising the role in several silent film adaptations. After 1865, he created no other major role and toured with this play for decades.
Avery Island is a salt dome best known as the source of Tabasco sauce. Located in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, it is about three miles (4.8 km) inland from Vermilion Bay, which opens onto the Gulf of Mexico. A small human population lives on the island. The island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Shadows-on-the-Teche is an American 3,750 square feet (348 m2) historic house, garden, and cemetery. Formerly a working sugar cane plantation with enslaved labor, it is located in New Iberia, Louisiana, United States. Built in 1834 for planter, David Weeks (1786–1834) and his wife Mary Conrad Weeks (1797–1863). The property is also home to the Shadows-on-the-Teche cemetery.
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Rip Van Winkle is a 1903 American short black-and-white silent compilation film written and directed by William K.L. Dickson. It is adapted from the play by his friend and investor Joseph Jefferson with Dion Boucicault based on the 1819 story of the same name by Washington Irving.
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