Since 1990, ESI has conducted annual public outreach excavations at Orange Grove
Plantation. For three weeks, school groups and the general public can
tour the site and watch excavations in progress. Work
is funded by Cytec Industries, who owns the site.
The land that became Orange Grove Plantation was granted to Eugene Fortier by the Spanish colonial government of Louisiana in 1776. Fortier began improving the estate, and he probably built the great house sometime in the last decade of the eighteenth century. The Fortier family held the sugar plantation until 1837, when they subdivided the estate for sale. The plantation was eventually reconsolidated, and in 1882, the Eugene Fortier’s grandson and great-grandson acquired the estate.
in site excavations.
The great house was abandoned in the 1920s, and only the brick ruins of
the house were still standing in the 1950s, when Cytec acquired the property.
By that date, no evidence of the former quarters or outbuilding was visible.
Nonetheless, the archaeological remains were preserved, since Cytec left
these areas as green space.
Approximately 100 square meters at the site have been opened within block excavation units since the 1990 season. Investigations included the discovery of the remains of a slave cabin dating ca. 1800-1840.
Faunal material from Orange Grove appears to be distinctive in comparison to collections obtained at other plantation sites, including Ashland-Belle Helene and Beka. In particular, a heavy reliance on wild game was noted in the faunal assemblages from both great house and quarters contexts at Orange Grove. Because of the relatively early date of the deposit (both Ashland and Beka have substantial postbellum components), and because it was not atypical to have a slave whose task was hunting during the late colonial and early antebellum periods in Louisiana, this probably reflects diachronic differences in food procurement strategies.
Approximately 100 square meters at the site have been opened within block excavation units since the 1990 season. Investigations included the discovery of the remains of a slave cabin dating ca. 1800-1840.
Faunal material from Orange Grove appears to be distinctive in comparison to collections obtained at other plantation sites, including Ashland-Belle Helene and Beka. In particular, a heavy reliance on wild game was noted in the faunal assemblages from both great house and quarters contexts at Orange Grove. Because of the relatively early date of the deposit (both Ashland and Beka have substantial postbellum components), and because it was not atypical to have a slave whose task was hunting during the late colonial and early antebellum periods in Louisiana, this probably reflects diachronic differences in food procurement strategies.
Orange Grove Plantation investigations.
Features associated with the cabin included the remains of a fireplace
constructed of broken bricks and mud, and a compacted surface that appeared
to have been the floor of the structure. In addition, a portion of the great
house gallery and a brick walkway leading from the great house to a cistern
were discovered. Between 1992 and 1995, portions of a walkway leading
to the great house and the brick-paved gallery surrounding the building
were uncovered.
In 1990, plans were made to open the site during Louisiana Archeology Week. Demand was so great that the site was opened to visitors for a total of 10 days. In subsequent years, the site has been opened for a total of three weeks. Tours are given of the excavations in progress, and limited numbers of children and adults are permitted to excavate under the supervision of ESI's personnel. Over 15,000 children and adults have visited the site since 1990. In 1997, Cytec received the American Cultural Resource Association’s (ACRA) Industry Award for the protection of the Orange Grove Plantation site and their support of Louisiana Archaeology Week.