Madewood Plantation House, Napoleonville Louisiana
In the architectural history of the State, Madewood is significant, for several reasons. Primarily, it represents the highest development of the pure Greek revival order in a plantation home. Plantations before Madewood adopted classical motifs to more provincial plans, and several later homes reflected more elaborate Roman or Italianate influence. But in Madewood, Henry Howard was able to create a home of great dignity and purity, and yet of equal warmth. The forms are classical, but they are interpreted in indigenous materials, the doorways, for example, follow the Greek-key motif, but the wood tones soften the effect. Likewise, the delicate railings of the front gallery provide an airy contrast to the massive columns.
The charm of the huge "old Kitchen"; the closets, dressing rooms, and parlor associated with the second-floor Bedrooms; and the complete, signed faux bois woodwork are all significant aspects of the house. But its main importance derives from its total effect. For here is a house whose noble proportions reflect the grandeur of a past age, whose image excites by its reference to beauty and purity.
Built in 1840 to 1848, Madewood reflects both the prosperity of the age and the aspirations of its original owner, Colonel Tho Pugh. In a grove of towering oaks and magnolias, facing Bayou Lafourche, Pugh and his architect, Henry Howard, constructed a house whose classical splendor would surpass that of all neighboring plantations.
Their first concern, however, was permanence; and they constructed the house of bricks made on the plantation and enduring cypress beams cut from trees on the land. Brick foundation walls begin eight feet beneath ground and rise to the massive, pegged roof beams. Exterior walls are 24 inches thick, interior 18 inches; and the exterior is covered with stucco, scored to represent masonry blocks, and painted white.
The dignity of the facade reflects both this generosity in the use of materials and the sensitivity of the architect. The proportions are carefully determined; and with its six fluted Ionic columns rising two stories from a stylobate, the central portion retains the character of a Greek temple. The shafts are brick covered with stucco, the capitals carved cypress. A triangular pediment, adorned with a Padiadien fan window, raises the eye skyward. Across the upstairs gallery, which appears to float lightly between the columns and the main wall, runs a fine railing of diamond design. Two one-story wings, echoing the predominant elements of the main house, complete the facade. In the rear of the house, the pillars of the central block become square, recalling the simple pilasters at each corner of the wings.
In the interior, which contains 23 rooms, the floors are heart pine, and the door frames and moldings are of cypress, painted to resemble oak. Each doorway is signed by the artist Cornelius Mennessey. Elsewhere the woodwork, including the cypress mantlepieces have been painted to resemble marble or exotic woods.
In the double parlors, marble mantels adorn the fireplaces. In these and other rooms, elaborate plasterwork complements the chaste beauty of doorways in the Greek-key design.
North wing of main house (1973)
Front of main house (1973)
South wing of main house (1973)
Carriage House in rear of main house (1973)
Cemetery in rear of Main House (1973)
