NewsBreak Original

In this video, JamesandKarla showcase the stunning holiday lights on the palm trees at the luxurious Hawk's Landing Estates in Plantation, Florida.

This historic 1726 Georgian Style Plantation was built right on the James River. Where well documented settlers on the Good Ship Margaret (my apologies I said Mary while making this video) who sailed to Virginia in hopes of a better life, were hit with bad weather and rough seas on their 2 1/2 month sailing across the Atlantic. Once they landed were told by their captain to get on their knees and thank Almighty God, for them making it across alive. "...shall be a yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God." December 1619. This was 13 months before the Pilgrams landed in Massachusetts. But long after the very first Thanksgiving, came this Plantation which was home to Benjamin Harrison V (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) and his grandson William Henry Harrison (9th U.S. President) and his grandson Benjamin Harrison (23rd U.S. President).

Slavery in the U.S. was officially abolished in 1865 with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Despite the official announcement, the lives of many enslaved African-Americans were precarious for a very long time.

South Carolina isn’t as known for its Charleston Plantations as it should be. Most people know about its historic colonial architecture, coastal seafood, and the old southern way of life. Still, it should also be known for its preservation of history through a series of stunning plantations. While I was in the area for more than a month, I visited three unique plantations that preserve important pre-civil war history.

Visiting Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State Capitol, Mike the Tiger Habitat at LSU, LSU Rural Life Museum, Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Magnolia Mound Plantation, Knock Knock Children's Museum, and Parrain's Seafood Restaurant.

Visiting Houmas House Plantation & Gardens in Darrow, Louisiana. We spent the night at one of its luxurious cottages. Houmas House was a shooting location for the Oscar best picture Green Book.

Visiting Louisiana Plantation Country: St. James Parish Welcome Center for information, Spuddy's Canjun Foods for an andouille sausage making demonstration, making pottery with Louisiana Pottery in Cajun Village, eating beignets at Coffee House, and touring Destrehan Plantation.

Plantation home Forgotten in Alabama!

There are several plantation houses within about an hour’s drive from the city, and a few offer tours of the homes and enlightening history lessons. I never pass up an opportunity to explore beautiful architecture and history, so off I went.

The time I visited a couple plantations in Charleston. It was beautiful, but also extremely sad and heart-wrenching. I encourage everyone to visit at least one of them while you’re there.