Wilson Joseph Gaidry III

Wilson Joseph Gaidry III, born in Terrebonne Parish, LA to Wilson J. Gaidry II and Lillie McKnight, owns and operates Residence Plantation and Volumnia House at Houma, LA. Residence Plantation is one of the oldest family operated and owned plantations in Terrebonne Parish. On land originally owned by Jim Bowie, Residence Plantation has a long and fascinating history. Robert Ruffin Barrow purchased the land from Jim Bowie in 1829 and developed it into one of his 16 plantations. He named it Residence Plantation as it was his home. Through maternal succession Residence Plantation passed to Wilson Joseph Gaidry - the grandfather of Wilson Gaidry III. Residence Plantation has undergone a succession of "crops" over the years from sugar cane to vegetables to dairy and eggs to today's beef cattle and hay. It has received the Louisiana Century Farm Award. Despite his B.S. degree in Wildlife Management, Wilson is a hands-on farmer. He is up at the crack of dawn and works until dark - often on the tractor, mending fences or tending the cattle. Wilson has great pride in his Acadian heritage and promotes it widely. The Gaidry family has many family heirlooms displayed in Volumnia House and on Residence Plantation - today a museum.

Twenty-six of the Live Oaks on the Plantation are registered with the Live Oak Society. Like his forebears, Wilson is very philanthropic and assists the community and its people. Wilson Joseph Gaidry III brings great distinction to the Guédry family through the pride he takes in operating and maintaining the historic Residence Plantation and Volumnia House.