The Old Ways Didn't Offer Much-Needed Air Conditioning...
Vermilionville was the original name for Lafayette (think: "Istanbul
was Constantinople...") The city was officially incorporated in 1836.
Louisianans are proud of their unique French-Canadian heritage
and it's easy to see why. This Cajun-Creole Heritage Park offers a
collection of some of the original structures that made up the town,
all in various stages of restoration. As one strolls through the
village, women sit in almost every one of the homes, dressed in
traditional attire, quilting, basket weaving, cooking and making
dolls as it was done over two hundred years ago.
It was quite an experience, on a very hot and steamy Sunday
afternoon!
Vermilionville was the original name for Lafayette (think: "Istanbul
was Constantinople...") The city was officially incorporated in 1836.
Louisianans are proud of their unique French-Canadian heritage
and it's easy to see why. This Cajun-Creole Heritage Park offers a
collection of some of the original structures that made up the town,
all in various stages of restoration. As one strolls through the
village, women sit in almost every one of the homes, dressed in
traditional attire, quilting, basket weaving, cooking and making
dolls as it was done over two hundred years ago.
It was quite an experience, on a very hot and steamy Sunday
afternoon!
Le Magasin
Also known as the storehouse or the barn.
Brent stands in front of an original pot-belly
stove above and some tools for wood
working below.
Also known as the storehouse or the barn.
Brent stands in front of an original pot-belly
stove above and some tools for wood
working below.
La Maison Acadienne
This tiny structure is one of the Park's newest
editions (donated in the 1980's) and was
most likely originally built as a slave quarters.
Many of the homes of the day had staircases
on the outside of the buildings.
This tiny structure is one of the Park's newest
editions (donated in the 1980's) and was
most likely originally built as a slave quarters.
Many of the homes of the day had staircases
on the outside of the buildings.
Oooo!! Pick Me! Pick Me!
Per usual, Brent knows the answer and is ready to give it
as he sits in this reproduction of a typical l'Academie or
school house. The flags and desks are from the era and
on the chalk board is written, "Je ne vais parler le francais
en ecole," and its English translation, recalling the time in
the early 20th century when Louisiana law forbade the
speaking of French, Southwest Louisiana's principle
language - even on the playground.
Per usual, Brent knows the answer and is ready to give it
as he sits in this reproduction of a typical l'Academie or
school house. The flags and desks are from the era and
on the chalk board is written, "Je ne vais parler le francais
en ecole," and its English translation, recalling the time in
the early 20th century when Louisiana law forbade the
speaking of French, Southwest Louisiana's principle
language - even on the playground.
La Chapelle des Attakapas
One can get married in thisreproduction of a
typical Catholic church from Pointe Coupee
(circa 1760). The bride comes to meet her
groom by traveling across the ferry pictured
below.
One can get married in thisreproduction of a
typical Catholic church from Pointe Coupee
(circa 1760). The bride comes to meet her
groom by traveling across the ferry pictured
below.
Beau Bassin
The moist weather makes it difficult to keep paint on
anything and thus the picket fences are all worn and
decayed. This house was built in 1840 and is a blend of
Creole and American Greek styles. It was constructed of
a half-timber frame that is insulated by bousillage - a
mixture of mud and Spanish Moss.
The moist weather makes it difficult to keep paint on
anything and thus the picket fences are all worn and
decayed. This house was built in 1840 and is a blend of
Creole and American Greek styles. It was constructed of
a half-timber frame that is insulated by bousillage - a
mixture of mud and Spanish Moss.
The Haunted Mansion...
Not quite, but the moss on the trees makes
them spooky in appearance and definitely
conjures up memories of standing in line at
Disneyland!
Not quite, but the moss on the trees makes
them spooky in appearance and definitely
conjures up memories of standing in line at
Disneyland!
Journeys
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| May 2005 |
Vermilionville, Lafayette, Louisiana
