Established in 1809, St. Francisville is set in a unique location on a bluff of the Mississippi river. Often described as a town “two miles long and two yards wide,” the quaint community offers southern hospitality, fantastic shopping, and breathtaking scenery. Symposium events are held at several historic and picturesque locations.
Afton Villa Gardens:
 Although a fire in 1965 destroyed the gothic antebellum mansion, the gardens at Afton Villa are among the most famous and picturesque in the state. Beginning in 1972, Genevieve and Morrell Trimble undertook the task of restoring the grounds. Today the estate contains over 20 acres of formal gardens and pleasure grounds, including the famous ruins gardens, a formal parterre garden, a daffodil valley, a historic family cemetery, and more.
Hemingbough:
A cultural arts and reception center, Hemingbough takes advantage of the extraordinary scenic beauty of West Feliciana parish. Conceived and developed by Arlin Dease, Hemingbough’s classic architecture and tranquil gardens provide an ideal setting for the Southern Garden Symposium.
Imahara’s Botanical Garden:
Walter Imahara’s Botanical Garden was inspired by his father, James Imahara, who came to Afton Villa in 1950 to serve as Head Gardener and resurrect the badly overgrown grounds. This splendid garden sits on 54 acres and includes an existing cypress swamp along side an abandoned railroad of long ago. The 4-tier ponds and new plantings of redwood trees, magnolias, hollies, palms, maples, and hundreds of azaleas all add to the natural beauty of the rolling hills and native trees.
Jackson Hall at Grace Church:
Organized March 15, 1827, Grace Church is the second oldest Episcopal church in Louisiana. The present church, built in 1858-60, is a well-preserved brick structure reminiscent of Gothic country churches which dot the English countryside. Its peaceful oak-shaded cemetery is filled with fine statuary and Victorian monuments of marble and stone.
Rosedown Plantation:
 Built by Daniel and Martha Turnbull in 1834, Rosedown remains one of the most majestic properties in the area. The gardens are as grand as the home and were the province of Martha Turnbull throughout her life. The gardens grew out from the house over a span of several years, to cover approximately 28 acres. Currently, the main house, historic gardens and 13 historic buildings and 371 remaining acres of Rosedown Plantation are preserved as a state historic site by the Office of State Parks.
United Methodist Church:
Located in the heart of St. Francisville’s historic district, this picturesque wooden church was built in 1899. It includes the bell tower from the imposing 1844 church originally constructed in nearby Bayou Sara.
White’s Cottage:
White's Cottage was built in 1903 in the “pen-and-passage” style by the Robert Clifford Brasseaux family when Royal Street was a bustling section of town. With Market Hall on one side and a bakery on the other, there were also an ice cream parlor and pharmacy nearby. The cottage was restored in 1978 and has been the home of Lynn LeSueur Leak since then. The site of the old bakery, long gone, is now the Garden Symposium Park.
Wyoming Plantation:
Wyoming Plation was the resting place for James John Audubon on June 18, 1821. He was welcomed here before continuing his journey to Oakley where he would become Eliza Pirrie's tutor and paint his famous bird portraits. Later Wyoming became the home place of Robert C. Wickcliff, Louisiana's antebellum governor. Unfortunately Wyoming burned in the early 1900's, the property was sold to Sam Vinci and another home was built. Elaine (granddaughter of Sam Vinci) and Leonard Sullivan purchased Wyoming and began to bring it back to it's oringal grandeur.
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