The story of Antoine is emblematic of countless enslaved people whose lives and contributions have been overlooked. Antoine, the enslaved gardener of Oak Alley Plantation, was the first person to successfully propagate the pecan tree yet he exists only as a footnote in the bigger story of Oak Alley Plantation. His pioneering work enabled large groves of trees to be planted creating a lucrative commercial crop and though his horticultural achievement has long been legend, virtually nothing is known about his life. Historian Katy Morales Shannon utilizes extensive research and period documents to expose his story and explore the lives of the enslaved community in which he lived. The life of this truly revolutionary enslaved man is revealed through the lives of his family and friends, the community they built, and the bonds they forged during their enslavement and their life as free people.
Born and raised in Louisiana, Katy Morlas Shannon has been steeped in the history of the state. History so enraptured her, she earned a masters in the subject from Louisiana State University. For more than fifteen years as a professional historian, she has worked to uncover the stories of enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantations of Louisiana’s River Road. Having worked at Whitney Plantation and Laura Plantation, she now heads the History and Interpretive programing for Evergreen Plantation Foundation and the Legacy of the Two Matildas.