About Maison Stéphanie
The History
This property is a Historic listing and all of the restoration was approved through the United States Park Services.
Completion of the home was in approximately 1796. The 1450 acre land grant was given by the Spanish government to Martin Milony Duralde a Frenchman from the Basque region. The house is situated on 20 acres of Bayou Teche land in St. Martin Parish. Of his and Marie Louise Perrault Duralde’s children many married into historically significant families. Their daughter, Clarisse was the wife of W. C. C. Claiborne the first governor of Louisiana.
Over the decades the house was home to the Duralde, Lastrape, Bush, Billeaud, Roy, and Kidder families. We are honored to join this succession of owners and hope to maintain it for generations to come.
The Current Owners
Richard Franklin Howes and Kenneth P. Douet acquired the property in 2019. Richard is a dedicated pediatrician and a passionate gardener. Kenneth is a retired educator and greatly enjoys geneology. Together they have managed to assist in the design of their current home, collect a significant amount of art, as well as, American Indigenous peoples art, pottery and basketry.
It is with pleasure that they wish to share with guests and visitors from throughout the world their passions as they relate to Maison Stéphanie.
