Learn About The Acadian People At Two Great Locations in Lafayette, Louisiana

We visited two different locations in Lafayette, Louisiana celebrating the Acadian people. We learned about the tragedy that brought them to Louisiana’s shores in the late 1700’s and how their culture developed since then. Both locations were completely worth their time. I’d recommend starting at the NPS Acadian Cultural Center and then heading over to Vermilionville Historic Village.

If you have the inclination and time to start at the cultural center, go next door to the historic village and then finish at the cultural center – that’s what I’d *really* recommend. They dovetail nicely and can create a whole picture when you go between the two. There’s a film at the cultural center that I’d watch first. Then go experience what the historic village offers about life for the early Acadian people and finish with the museum at the cultural center to see more about the cultural side of Acadian history.

Lafayette Acadian Cultural Center

First, a shout out to William Bozic at the NPS. He was incredibly friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable. Take the time to ask the difference between Creole and Cajun cultures – you won’t be disappointed.

The film that we saw was very interesting and powerful. The Acadian people were forced to leave their home in Canada in exile and eventually resettled in Louisiana after twenty years of being bounced around from Canada, the US colonies and France. The film gives more details and like all NPS films we’ve seen is very well done.

There’s a ton to read and see in the museum explaining different areas of Acadian history, culture and lifestyle. Here’s a taste of what you can see.

The NPS Acadian Cultural Center is free to enter which is an added benefit. There’s a fee for the next location but it’s well worth it.

Vermilionville Living History and Folk Life Park

The experience provided at Vermilionville Historic Village is really interesting and immersive. If you have children they will probably enjoy this more, but I’d still recommend stopping in to the Acadian Cultural Center with them too. I loved it because I was able to share a taste of it with my students as The Traveling Teach on a virtual field trip. Vermilionville is only $10 per adult (less with AAA or active military).

The day I was there was beautiful. The setting around the village is picturesque and really adds to your self-guided tour. You can go in most of the buildings, see artifacts and learn about the history of the Acadian people and their lives. Each house has information, and in keeping with the preservation of the Acadian culture signs are in both English and French.

Hands down the best part was talking to the artisans at a few of the buildings. I’m not sure if they’re paid staff or volunteers, but they make an already interesting location even better. There were several who were there the day I visited and they kindly shared tidbits of information – this included Neka Mire of the Chitimacha people and the School Master and Quilter (I’m sorry I didn’t catch their names).

Here’s a taste of what you can expect when you visit the Schoolhouse.

Another cool feature of the village is a hand-pull ferry and a pen with a donkey and sheep (you can buy snacks at the gift shop to feed them).

There’s a gift shop and restaurant on site. If I’d had time I’d have loved to stop in to try some local food because it smelled INCREDIBLE.

You can do all this in one day or spread out the information over two days, but it’s definitely worth a stop when you’re in or near Lafayette to learn the history of the Acadian (Cajun) people of Louisiana.