The story begins in 1742 with a relationship between a slave and a French merchant. Eventually the merchant gave the lady and her children freedom and a plot of land.

A community was established Isle Breville, populated by free people of color. Over time the people grew in wealth with cattle and tobacco production

In 1832 construction was begun on the big house the main home of the plantation. The US Civil War saw back and forth movement of Union and Confederate forces through the area. Somehow the plantation survived.

In 1899 John Hampton Henry and Carmelite Garrett took ownership and began an extensive restoration and preservation project gathering historic cabins, cultural arts and crafts photographs and Louisiana lore that was at risk of being forgotten

in 1970 much was lost because of another change in ownership, in 1971 the group which later became the Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches took over 6 acres including the house.

For more information about Melrose see http://www.melroseplantation.org/history/