Considering the high costs of maintenance and repair, Louisiana sightseers may be surprised to find a string of 150 year old Mississippi River plantation mansions that still survive in excellent condition. Weathering the Civil War era, many of these plantation homes have been refurbished and are now open for tours. Perhaps, one of the most elegant of all, the Nottoway, is located in White Castle between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
   Well beyond the borderline of ostentatiousness, this splendid three story mansion underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. Now geared toward private and business related functions, the mansion also offers luxurious bed and breakfast accommodations.
   The Nottoway Plantation house, largest of the remaining Antebellum mansions, boasts 53,000 square feet of living area, 64 rooms, six interior staircases, 165 eleven foot tall doors, and a huge semi-circular second level grand ballroom. The Grand White Ballroom provides the perfect setting for weddings and receptions.
   Designed by Henry Howard, a prestigious architect from New Orleans, the mansion design follows a mixture of Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Completed in 1859, Nottoway owner John Hampden Randolph spared no expensive during construction. Today's Nottoway guests are still impressed with the grandeur of this huge American castle.

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