Maps of Movies

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Where 12 Years a Slave says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The Washington hotel, the Saratoga street and Ford's plantation: only the plantations are real, and none of it is in New York or Washington

Scenes and places

A violinist's job offer in Saratoga Springs (1841)

Solomon, a free violinist, is approached by two men with an offer of short-term work as a musician. He accepts, and the trip that follows takes him away from his family.

Set in Saratoga Springs, New York — Home of Solomon Northup, a free violinist living with his wife and two children. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The film's New York scenes were not shot in New York; the street was recreated in the French Quarter.

The hotel in Washington (1841)

In the capital, Solomon is drugged. He wakes in a slave pen, where he insists he is a free man and is beaten for it.

Set in Washington, D.C. — The capital city, where Solomon is told the job begins. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Neither location is in Washington; both are in the New Orleans French Quarter.

Filmed at Madame John's Legacy, French Quarter, New Orleans — Part of 12 Years a Slave was filmed at the house, for the Washington D.C. scenes; which scene is not specified. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Sold in New Orleans (1841)

Shipped south, Solomon is renamed Platt by the trader Freeman. Plantation owner Ford buys him.

Set in New Orleans — The city where enslaved people are sold; here Solomon is given the name Platt. Google Maps · Apple Maps

William Ford's plantation (1841)

Ford takes a liking to Solomon and gives him a violin. A clash with the carpenter Tibeats turns dangerous, and Ford has debts that force him to sell Solomon on.

Set in William Ford's plantation — The plantation of William Ford, Solomon's first owner.

Magnolia is a few miles from a historic site where Northup was held.

Filmed at Magnolia Plantation, Schriever, Louisiana — Plantation used as Ford's in the film. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Edwin Epps's plantation (1841)

Sold to Epps, Solomon meets Patsey, his best cotton picker, and learns how harsh life is under a cruel master. A cotton-worm plague forces Epps to lease out his slaves.

Set in Edwin Epps's plantation — The cotton plantation of Edwin Epps, where Solomon spends most of his captivity.

Filmed at Felicity Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana — Plantation used as the Epps house and fields. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The trip to Shaw's for soap (1841)

Patsey slips away to a neighbouring farm for soap that her mistress refuses her. Epps finds out, and the scene that follows is a turning point for Solomon.

Set in Shaw's plantation — A neighbouring plantation where Patsey goes to get soap.

Filmed at Bocage Plantation, Darrow, Louisiana — Plantation listed as the 'Shaw Farm' in the production notes; the location guide places it in Burnside. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan, Louisiana — Cotton gin house at Epps's plantation (scene not confirmed) Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Solomon Northup — A free Black violinist from Saratoga Springs, New York, kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery in Louisiana.
• Edwin Epps — The abusive owner of the cotton plantation where Solomon is held.
• Patsey — Epps's top cotton picker, abused by both Epps and his wife.
• William Ford — The plantation owner who buys Solomon and gives him a violin.

Questions answered on the map

• Where were Washington and Saratoga Springs really filmed in 12 Years a Slave?
• Which real plantations play Ford's and Epps's in 12 Years a Slave?