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Le Magasin General

 

 The General Store
The store is a replica built on site in 1976. It we reconstructed of old red cypress and Louisiana long leaf pine and is an example of briquette entre poteaux (bricks between posts). The exposed wiring in the store is typical of the first wiring when electricity came to Acadiana. Between the years 1860 and 1900 the old country store was the main gathering place in most small communities.

 
La Maison Aurelie Bernard Aurelie Bernard House

Constructed in St. Martinville, the Bernard House is the oldest structure in the village. The section on the left was built first (circa 1800) while that on the right is an addition, (1840). Upon entry into the addition one will see a large painting of the exile of the Acadians from Nova Scotia (Canada) in 1755. The painting in the small rear room depicts their arrival and settling along the bayous of Louisiana in 1764-1765. The oldest section of the home contains an exhibit on Cajun music. Here, also, is the best example of the type of insulation used within the homes. It is called bousillage entre poteaux (mud between posts). 
La Maison Thibodeaux The Thibodeaux House
The Thibodeaux House was contructed of cypress, the "wood eternal," that is rot and insect resistent. Each pre-cut beam and post was marked with Roman numerals for ease in assembling. The hosue dates to circa 1820 and came to Acadian Village from the Breaux Bridge area. The small rear "cabinet" room, the daughter's room was accessible only through the parent's room. The boys slept in the attic or loft, the garconniere, reached by way of an outside staircase.

 
La Maison Leblanc The Leblanc House
Built between 1821 and 1856 near Youngsville, the LeBlanc house is the birthplace of Acadian Senator Dudley J. LeBlanc. Statesman, spokesman and politician, Dudley LeBlanc was also the author of "The True Story of the Acadians" and "The Acadian Miracle." His claim to fame was the invention of a very famous vitamin tonic by the name of Hadacol, which consisted of 12% alcohol and it was guaranteed to cure all ills. The LeBlanc exhibit contains memorabilia from the life and times of "Couzan Dud."

 
La Maison Saint-Jean The St. John House
This house dates to circa 1840 and was donated to the village by a local dentist. It was located on St. John street in Lafayette - thus its name. It was built of salvaged cypress timbers form another building. The house is currently being used as a schoolhouse. Among the desks is a three-seater which came to us from an old school house near Sunset. Old books, inkwells, lunch pails and the wooden stove round out the exhibit.

 
La Forge

The Blacksmith Shop
The blacksmith shop is a replica, built on site with weather beaten, aged cypress boards. The blacksmith was a very important person in the community who made tools, nails, hinges, etc. all out of iron. The anvil, forge and bellows are much like those used long ago. The tongs, pinchers, hammers, etc on the wall are all part of the smiths collection. Also scattered about are tools that have been the mainstay of farmers throughout the years.

 
La Chapelle De Nouvel Espoir New Hope Chapel
La Maison Billeaud   The Billeaud House
La Maison Castille   The Castille House
La Cabinet Du Medicin Doctor's Museum
  The Arts Building

Fine Touch Photography

& Village Art Gallery

Unique art and gifts

Enjoy a  special collection of

Rodrigue Paintings
     

 

    
     

 

This site was last updated 02/10/06