Uncle Benny And His Boots

Ardoyne Plantation in Schriever, Louisiana is still occupied by the family who built it in 1894. This includes a man affectionately known as Uncle Benny who actually died a few decades back. Southerners rarely get worked up over such minor details.

In the case of Uncle Benny, they just leave his boots sitting out on a chair for when he needs them, and move along with their day.

But we jump ahead of ourselves. John Dalton Shaffer's wife, Julia, found herself ailing in the early 1890's and in need of a cure. A trip to Europe seemed in order, and as she left, her husband promised the gift of "a little cottage" when she returned.

Twenty-one rooms later, Ardoyne welcomed her home. It is considered by the National Register of Historic Places to be one of the state's largest and most important examples of Victorian Gothic architecture. With that steeply gabled tower and gingerbread trim for miles, they will get no arguments from me.

Successive generations of Shaffers occupied the home - some with the means to maintain the place, and others with not so much. The results of all those ups and downs landed in the laps of current occupants Lee and Susan Shaffer who came home to Ardoyne after living all over the world. Faced with renovation experts who shook their heads and walked away, plus a mountain of family papers and crumbling furniture (hold that thought), the couple decided not to take no for an answer. Sorting through and forging ahead, they managed to succeed in spite of it all.

There were a few laughable moments - including the time that actor Antonio Banderas decided to sit down in one of Ardoyne's rickety antique chairs during a location shoot for the movie "Crazy in Alabama" - only to have it collapse under his weight. I don't know about y'all, but if I was a chair, I wouldn't do that to Mr. Banderas.

Still - the house and a lot of those grand furnishings have survived, though the recent visit by Hurricane Ida has done a number. Their website indicates that they are currently closed due to the hurricane, and we wish them a speedy recovery. Once they reopen, you should pay them a visit. I'll bet Uncle Benny would love to see you.

Photo of Ardoyne by Explore Louisiana.