Nottoway Plantation, built in 1859 in Louisiana, was the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the South, constructed by enslaved African Americans under the direction of John Hampden Randolph, a wealthy sugar planter

. The plantation survived the Civil War with minimal physical damage despite occupation by both Confederate and Union troops, and after the war, it transitioned through various owners and uses, eventually becoming a museum and event venue

. However, on May 15, 2025, a catastrophic fire broke out at Nottoway Plantation, devastating the historic mansion. Firefighters from multiple departments fought the blaze, but the fire was so extensive that the mansion was reduced to a shell, described as "obliterated" by officials. No injuries were reported, but the loss was mourned as a significant cultural and historical tragedy for Louisiana and the nation. The plantation had served as a place for reflection and education about its complex history tied to slavery and the antebellum South

. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the destruction marked the loss of a major landmark that had been restored and maintained as a museum and resort, offering tours and hosting events for decades

. The plantation's legacy includes its role in the history of slavery, as Randolph owned over 150 enslaved people there by 1860, and the site was a symbol of both the grandeur and the painful history of the South

. In summary, Nottoway Plantation was destroyed by a major fire in May 2025, ending its physical presence but leaving behind a legacy that continues to provoke reflection on American history and slavery