Will Nottoway Plantation Be Rebuilt? 2026 Progress Update: Yes, Expected Completion in 2-3 Years

In May 2025, a fire destroyed the 160-year-old Nottoway Plantation. After the news broke, many people's first question wasn't "How did it burn?" but "Will it be rebuilt?"

If you're looking for the answer: Yes. Owner Dan Dyess has clearly announced a rebuild, and the approach isn't to just put up any new building, but to recreate it as closely as possible to the original.

This article gathers the currently confirmed progress, timeline, funding sources, and points of contention, so you don't have to piece things together from news and social media posts.

Bottom Line First: 5 Key Facts About the Nottoway Rebuild

First, owner Dan Dyess has publicly announced the rebuild plan. He didn't just talk about it—he has also launched fundraising and told the media, "We don't want to give up."

Second, phase one of the reconstruction began on February 16, 2026. According to local media reports, work started on-site that day.

Third, the overall construction period is estimated at 2 to 3 years. This is the timeline stated by the owner's side; actual completion may still be affected by materials, permits, and funding.

Fourth, the exterior will be rebuilt to match the original. Multiple media outlets quoted the owner saying the new structure's design will be as consistent as possible with the original 160-year-old building.

Fifth, some areas are still open. The entire grounds are not shut down; visitors can still visit certain areas, and the restaurant continues to operate.

Why Is Reconstruction So Difficult? Materials, Techniques, and Historical Research

Rebuilding a 160-year-old plantation isn't just a matter of drawing up a design and starting construction.

The team from Aymond will first consult the few surviving original historical documents, then compare them with a large number of existing photographs. Nottoway was heavily photographed and widely visited in the past, and often appeared in travel media; these images have become important evidence for the reconstruction.

Materials are another challenge. The team will try to procure the same wood, bricks, or plaster as the original; if exact matches can't be found, they'll use the closest available substitutes.

Another key point: original materials that survived the fire and remain structurally sound will be preserved and reused as much as possible. This isn't just about saving costs—it's about preserving historical traces.

So "rebuilding as it was" isn't copy-and-paste; it's a long process combining research, craftsmanship, and judgment.

Will It Look Exactly the Same After Reconstruction? What "Exactly" Means

Media headlines used the word "exactly," but in practical terms, a more accurate understanding is "the exterior will be highly consistent with the original building."

Interior spaces, electrical and mechanical systems, fire safety, and accessibility design typically need to comply with contemporary codes. These adjustments may not be visible on the exterior but will affect actual use.

Currently available public information doesn't itemize which interior details will change, so if you're expecting "every nail to be identical," you may need to keep some flexibility.

More Than Just Rebuilding: Slavery Memorial Area and "Unification Center"

The most closely watched aspect of this reconstruction isn't just the building itself.

The owner has stated that the rebuilt Nottoway will include a space memorializing the enslaved and a space called a "unification center." This is a clear acknowledgment that slavery is a brutal part of this land's history.

Related parties have also mentioned hoping that once the entire grounds reopen, it can become a museum presenting the dark history of the enslaved.

In other words, the reconstruction isn't just about putting the house back up—it's also about redefining how this place is understood and visited.

Where Is the Money Coming From? Fundraising and the Commemorative Brick Program

This is a multi-million-dollar project. According to reports, funding comes from owner Dan Dyess plus public fundraising.

One fundraising method is the "Rebuild Nottoway" commemorative brick program. People can purchase bricks engraved with names for $150 each; these bricks will be laid on the pathways of the rebuilt grounds.

Dyess himself also owns the Steel Magnolia House bed-and-breakfast in Natchitoches, so he's no stranger to historic buildings. He has expressed confidence in the reconstruction plan.

What Can You Still See at Nottoway Now?

The grounds are not completely closed. Some areas remain open; it's recommended to check official information before your visit for the actual open areas.

In November 2025, the owner opened "Randolph's at Nottoway" restaurant on the grounds and hired a new chef. This also shows that even while the main building is still being rebuilt, operations at the grounds haven't stopped.

If you're hoping to see "what reconstruction looks like," you may need to understand: this isn't a project you can see finished in a few days—it's a process that will continue for several years.

3 Things to Keep in Mind

First, the timeline is an estimate, not a guarantee. The 2 to 3 years is the owner's statement; historic building reconstructions often encounter variables such as material delays, permits, or on-site conditions.

Second, the cultural exhibition content is still being planned. The slavery memorial area and unification center are currently directions; specific forms, scale, and interpretive approaches are not yet fully available in public information.

Third, different media reports have discrepancies in timing. Some articles describe the fire year inconsistently; when reading, it's advisable to rely primarily on local mainstream media and statements from the owner's side.

Summary: It Will Be Rebuilt, But It's a Marathon

Back to the original question: Will Nottoway be rebuilt? The answer is yes.

The owner has announced the rebuild, phase one began in February 2026, completion is expected in 2 to 3 years, the exterior will aim to recreate the original, and there are plans to add slavery memorial and cultural interpretation spaces.

If you're following the progress, the most practical approach is to track local media and official announcements from the grounds, rather than relying on a single post. With reconstruction, progress can change, but the direction is already clear.

Sources

• WBRZ: Reconstruction begins on Nottoway Plantation after fire
• The Advocate: Nottoway owners plan to rebuild plantation house 'exactly' as it was
• Postsouth: Nottoway Plantation owner announces plans to rebuild after fire
• Cajun Encounters Blog: Rebuilding Nottoway: The remarkable effort to restore a River Road icon
• Tinrec Blog: Nottoway Plantation 2026 Rebuild Progress: Will It Be Rebuilt, When Will It Be Completed, and Controversies Explained

References

• Rebuilding Nottoway Plantation: Inside the Remarkable Effort to Restore a River Road Icon - Blog
• Reconstruction begins on Nottoway Plantation after fire
• Nottoway owners plan to rebuild plantation house 'exactly' as it was: 'We don't want to quit'
• Nottoway Plantation Rebuild Progress in 2026: Will It Be Rebuilt, When Will It Be Completed, and Controversies Explained - Official Tinrec Blog
• Nottoway Plantation owner announces plans to rebuild after fire