A visit to the Acadian Cultural Center is a must-see for anyone with an interest in the history of Louisiana’s wetland people. The Acadians (aka Cajuns) are a group of French colonists that were expelled from Canada in the 1700s and relocated to areas of the USA such as Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans. The Acadian Cultural Center celebrates the unique lifestyle that they brought to the region’s bayous and swamps.
Start your visit by watching the 35-minute film called The Cajun Way: Echoes of Acadia. It retells the Cajun journey from their arrival in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to their political and religious revolt against the British and eventual deportation from Canada. Old photographs portray typical farming activities and scenes from celebrations such as Mardi Gras. Find examples of musical instruments and traditional clothing.
Rangers staff the center and are willing to explain more about this unique group of people. Watch demonstrations of crafts, including basket weaving, and hear stories about the wild wetlands of the Atchafalaya Basin. Children will have fun searching for artifacts on a scavenger hunt.
Boat tours depart from the nearby riverbanks in spring and fall. This is your chance to glide along the Bayou Vermilion river and spot varied birdlife. You’ll be transported back to a time when farmers, traders and trappers cruised the river.
The cultural center is a 10-minute drive from downtown Lafayette. There’s a large on-site parking lot for those arriving by car. Combine your time here with a tour of the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park. This open-air museum is home to original Acadian buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, several of which house artisan workshops.
The Acadian Cultural Center is open from Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free. Ranger talks take place from Tuesday to Friday. An audioguide is available at the information desk. Find more information on the official website of the National Park Service.
