The Acadians, Creoles, and Native Americans… in Louisiana

The Acadians

Map of Nova Scotia, before 1755.

Replica of an Acadian house.Notice the steep roof. This construction characteristic will later be found on Creole type houses in Louisiana.

Marshes were a reality for early Acadians, just like in Louisiana.

Replica of the Grand-Pré church, where men were imprisoned before they were deported.

Acadian Memorial Cross, Grand-Pré National Historic Site.There is a replica of this cross at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, Louisiana.

Houses were burned to insure Acadians would not come back.

Families were separated as they got on boats.

There would be better days ahead – arrival in Louisiana.This mural from Robert Dafford can be seen in the Acadian Memorial in St.Martinville, Louisiana.

Maison des Cultures-Typical Acadian home built of colombage (half-timber wall framing system) and bousillage (mix of mud and Spanish moss)-The “garçonnière” was where the older boys slept and was accessible by an exterior staircase.

Maison Mouton-Typical Acadian home with a detached kitchen.-La “galerie” (porch) served as an extra room in nice weather and for social activities.

Cajun flag-The three fleur de lis represent Louisiana’s French heritage.-The gold star symbolizes Our Lady of the Assumption, patron saint of the Acadians.-The gold tower represents Spain, which governed Louisiana at the time the Acadians arrived.

The Creoles

Maison BullerThe roof, steeply pitched, is typical of Creole construction – this is thought to be of French Canadian origin (see Maison Mouton and other Acadian type houses with similar roofs).

Typical Creole house-John Baptiste Bergeron House, Pointe Coupee Parish.-Notice the full front porch, which is seen in Creole constructions – this probably comes from the Caribbeans.

Raised Creole Plantation HouseOrmond, St. Charles Parish.

Double PitchedSome Creole house had double pitched roofs. This is the Destrehan Plantation, in Destrehan, St. Charles Parish

Creole flag-The white fleur de lis represents Louisiana’s French heritage.-Below is the flag of Mali, representing West African heritage.-On the upper right corner is the flag of Senegal, also representing West African heritage.-The gold tower represents Spain, which governed Louisiana at the time the Acadians arrived.-The white cross dividing the four symbols represents the Christian faith.

The Native Americans

Louisiana TribesThe territorial lines were practically impossible to draw as they were constantly changing.

Today, there are several tribes in Louisiana1. Chitimacha in Charenton2. Coushatta in Elton3. Choctaw in Jena4. Tunica-Biloxi in Marksvillejust to name a few

Cabanage de Latanier-This is a replica of a 1840 Native American dwelling, built by an elder of the Houma Nation.-This is a single family dwelling made of cane, palmetto, and bousillage (mix of mud and Spanish moss).

*The Palmetto hut has recently been removed from Vermilionville. We are in the process of building a Native American Common Grounds.