In today's episode, we learn about slavery in Louisiana. We visit Whitney Plantation, located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. The Whitney is the only plantation whose primary focus is on the slaves who worked, lived, and died along this stretch of the Mississippi River.

My guest today is Joy Banner, Director of Marketing at Whitney. Joy is also a native of the nearby community and is a descendant of the slaves at Whitney.

On today’s show, you’ll learn...

• About the people who were kidnapped, sold into slavery, and came to work at the Whitney and other plantations along River Road.
• You’ll meet some of the slaves and hear their surprising connections to modern day New Orleanians.
• You’ll gain insight into the conditions they endured, and what plantation life was like for the enslaved.
• Most plantations along River Road were sugar plantations, so you’ll also learn about the process of making granulated sugar on a plantation.

"We ask African Americans to get over it, but we don’t really understand what the it is.”  - John Cummings, owner of Whitney Plantation

Whitney Plantation - located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. For more information about Whitney Plantation, visit their website.

Thanks to Joy Banner for welcoming my wife and I to Whitney Plantation. Joy took us around the grounds on a day when they were closed, patiently answered all of our questions, then made time two days later for the interview.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts. If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.

We now have a Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your New Orleans experiences and engage with others who love all things New Orleans. Join us by going to www.beyondbourbonst.com/facebook

Got an idea for an episode, have some feedback or just want to say hi?

Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Mark

Today’s episode is a question and answer epiosde with questions from listeners like you.

My guest is a successful business owner who created a shop focused on celebrating New Orleans through its offerings.

Ever wanted to support New Orleans artists but didn’t know how to connect with them other than a visit to the city? My guest today hopes to bridge that gap through her business called Cucuron. 

In today’s episode, we head over to Hansen's Sno-Bliz on Tchoupitoulas Street, in uptown New Orleans. We visit with Ashley Hansen, granddaughter of Ernest and Mary Hansen, and the current owner of Hansen's Sno-Bliz.

Hansen's is the oldest snowball stand in the United States, and is currently open for its 86th season in 2025. In the 1930s, Ernest Hansen created the first machine to shave ice into the snowy powder essential for a terrific New Orleans snowball. That machine is still put to daily use in the shop today!

Mary Hansen ran the business, while Ernest was working as a machinist on the ships docked along the Mississippi. In their later years, the Hansen's ran the snowball stand together. As they got older, their granddaughter Ashley was their to assist, and ultimately to continue the tradition.

Mary Hansen uttered these words frequently, and ran her business by this code. Today, Ashley continues setting the standard, making the syrups from scratch each day, and using the best possible ingredients. Mary's words are all over the shop - on signs and on every plastic cup sold at Hansen's today.

Listen in and learn all about Mary and Earnest Hansen, and the ubiquitous treat New Orleans claim as their birthright today. You'll hear great family stories, and tales of New Orleans traditions. By the end, you'll be ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans this summer and stop in at Hansen's for a delicious snowball!

If you want to drive yourself crazy with snowball envy, be sure to follow Hansen's Sno-Bliz on Instagram. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Check out their website (snobliz.com) for more history about Hansen's and to be sure they are open for the season. You can also get updates on their Facebook page.

Better still, visit Ashley and the team over at Hansen's in person.

Hansen's Sno-Bliz is located at 4801 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA.

Tchoupitoulas is pronounced CHOP-i-TOO-LAS, but you would already know that since you listened to episode #11 - the Language of New Orleans. You did listen to that episode, right? :)

Hansen's is open from 1-7PM, Tuesday-Sunday, when they are in season. Be sure to check before you go, and don't go on Mondays - they will be closed.  Mondays in New Orleans are for red beans and rice anyway.

Thank You

Thanks to Ashley Hansen for talking with us on a busy afternoon in the middle of snowball season. I went to meet Ashley and learn about the snowball business. What I got instead was a love story, and a new friend!

Thanks also to Paul Broussard who works with Ashley and helped set up our interview!

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts. If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.

We have a free Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your New Orleans experiences and engage with others who love all things New Orleans! Join us by going to beyondbourbonst.com/facebook

Got an idea for an episode, have some feedback or just want to say hi?

Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Mark

Coastal restoration and finding ways to preserve the Louisiana Coast has been a topic I’ve wanted to explore for several years. Today, I’m joined by James Karst, Director of Communications at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. 

Today’s show is about an effort to revitalize Canal Street. My guest today, Sandra Thompson Herman, is the founder of that effort called Celebrate Canal! Coalition. 

Several years ago I did an episode or two with the Historic New Orleans Collection about the Storyville red light district. They had an excellent small exhibit about Storyville. Well now, there is a whole museum dedicated to Storyville. I’m joined today by the museum’s founder and curator, Claus Sadlier.

My guest today is a New Orleanian who decided to create a board game focused on Mardi Gras. Michael Combes was disappointed in the lack of games with a New Orleans theme, so he created his own. Listen in as he describes the game and his plans for making it a reality.

My guest today probably knows as much about Mardi Gras as anyone. He’s published an annual Mardi Gras Guide for 49 years, including the 2025 edition. I'm thrilled to be joined by Arthur Hardy!