Vacation Plantation
With unparalleled access to America’s most popular plantation houses, archaeologist, Lauren Cudmore, goes on a journey to uncover why millions of tourists continue to flock to these sites, while conveniently forgetting their horrific past.
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Vacation Plantation
A film by Alex Bezeau
Today, in the American South, there are as many historic plantation sites open to the public as there are Krispy Kreme locations across the United States. These sites indulging tourists’ fantasies, rather than the horrific realities of the past. Vacation Plantation grants unparalleled access to the modern American plantation tourism industry – from the priorities of today’s plantation owners, to the political balancing act of State representatives, to the descendants of the enslaved fighting for change. Archaeologist, Lauren Cudmore, goes on a journey to understand why millions of tourists continue to vacation at these sites of historic trauma.
Years of production: 2023/2024
Country: United States
Duration: 77
The Team
Alex Bezeau
Hailing from Canada’s capital, Alex Bezeau has a passion for finding stories that need to be told and asking questions that need to be answered. A flame that was originally lit as a teenager, while filming a documentary with his father on Canadian residential schools. With a Master of Arts in international relations and a professional career spent in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence, he has travelled a unique path to filmmaking. His passion for storytelling through film only growing with the creation of Blue Lobster Tales and now, with his first feature-length documentary – Vacation Plantation. This project cementing his love for crafting a story through film, from concept to final edit.
Lauren Cudmore
An east coast girl at heart, Lauren Cudmore is an archaeologist and public historian, with a Master of Arts in anthropology. She has spent her professional career within a national museum conducting research and analysis, but has always been drawn to public history, connecting people with the past. A passion she further developed as the web series host of Blue Lobster Tales, and through the production of the feature-length documentary – Vacation Plantation. This, a culmination of her passion for connecting the past and present, while unlocking a new-found love of producing.
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Updates
Today there are as many historic plantations open to the public as there are Krispy Kreme locations across the United States. So, it is safe to say that plantation tourism continues to be a significant draw for tourists. But what about understanding the history of plantations and this industry a little better, and taking a more thoughtful approach to your travels?
Check out this NPR conversation with Lacey Wilson, Niya Bates, Elon Cook Lee, and Derek Alderman about the complexities of plantation tourism in the United States and why a thoughtful approach is the only approach we should have.
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/30/765760021/the-complicated-business-of-plantation-tourism
Whitney Plantation is one of a kind - a historic plantation site dedicated to educating the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States. And they aren't just passive about this mission. Whitney Plantation is active in the community through social and environmental activism. We were lucky enough to spend quite a lot of time at Whitney Plantation for Vacation Plantation - walking the grounds and speaking with Ashley Rogers, the site's incredibly dedicated and honest, Executive Director!
Check our their website (https://whitneyplantation.org/) and if you find yourself in New Orleans or the surrounding area, you should not miss the opportunity to spend some time at Whitney Plantation.
The International African American Museum may be barely a year young, but it has already had an immense impact on the social and historic landscape of the United States. Not only is the IAAM an incredibly beautiful and impactful museum space on one of the Nation’s most sacred sites, but it is also a critical resource. We had the absolute pleasure of touring the Museum in its opening weeks and speaking with the ever-insightful Dr. Felice Knight, the IAAM’s Director of Education, for Vacation Plantation.
Check out their website (https://iaamuseum.org/), and if you can, visit the IAAM in person in Charleston, South Carolina for a life changing experience.
“…learn the real history. Not the sugar coated, watered down, Gone with the Wind, hoop skirt, mint julep version of the story. We tell the real stories. The raw stories.”
We’ve introduced you to Joseph McGill a couple of times now, as he is a critical voice in our documentary – Vacation Plantation. But he is also behind The Slave Dwelling Project and co-authored the book ‘Sleeping with the Ancestors.’ And if you have 15 minutes to spare, check out his TED talk – Digging Up the Past. Where you’ll get a chance to meet Joseph and learn all about his mission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pARedEd5LI0
