November 6, 2011 Day 47 Lafayette, LA
After striking out yesterday, I held my breath on my choices for today?The Acadian Cultural Center and Vermillion Village. Today I hit a triple.
Acadians are people of French heritage who were evicted from Nova Scotia when they refused to swear allegiance to England.
The Vermillion Village (admission of $8) is a recreated 1800-1890 Acadian village with about 17 real buildings that have been moved there. One of two exceptions is this replica of a single family palmetto home (Picture 1) that was common during the 1840s. Native Americans often got rid of mosquitoes, spiders, and other pests by lighting a small fire inside the house. The smoke forced the insects away, and with no smokehole or chimney, I would think it would almost chase the inhabitants away, too. Raised mats served as beds and benches. They would be higher than a flea could jump. They made the walls from river cane. They were big on bousillage?a combination of Spanish moss and mud?which they used for clay ovens and later homes.
They had a great scientific explanation of the water cycle and how the waters flow and are exchanged in the swamp in the Watershed Exhibition. They had interactive exhibits which showed the role water plays in our lives.
At the Performance Center, a Zydeco band was playing. As many people from the audience danced, a band composed of a guitar, fiddle, accordian, and a real washboard played. (Picture 2) Vermillionville was created by the Bayou Vermillion District to preserve their natural and cultural resources. We heard many people speaking French, and I think they probably were Acadians.
We learned that the restaurant, which was a plantation overseer?s house, was going to close at 2:00, so we had lunch. Dean had a po? boy, and I had etouffe and shrimp. It was good.
In the 1890s schoolhouse, we saw the lines, ?I will not speak French in school,? on the blackboard. Louisiana law forbade the speaking of French, even on the playground.
The chapel was recreated based on the Catholic Churches in the area around 1760. Catholicism was the only religion legally allowed before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Acadians loved their religion and priests visited infrequently, so the Acadians had prayer services led by laymen. Slaves practiced the religion of their masters.
Outside a home from 1790, we found this intriguing washing machine, which was operated by a foot pedal. (Picture 3) Hanging on the side is the agitator. One of the fun aspects of this visit was trying to figure out how they did things by putting together the visual clues and talking about it together. Dean would see something, then I would, and then Dean with his mechanical knowledge would come up with how it was probably used.
We met a 5th generation craftswoman (Picture 4) who was making a basket from pine needles. She was a real hoot to talk with, and she shared some of her family?s history. I couldn?t believe that she is 52 years old. She is allergic to the sun, so she always was kept inside or totally shaded to huge hats. She has no wrinkles at all. She told us about her spoon dolls (which doubled as paddles when her children misbehaved), cornhusk dolls, ragdolls, and her baskets. (Picture 5)
Their plants and trees were true to history and well-described in the informational pamphlet we were given at the entrance. At 2 or 3 spots, we used our cellphone to access more information that they had pre-recorded.
We then scurried next door to the Jean Lafitte National Park Acadian Cultural Center for their 30-minute historical film. They had many pictures that showed the various aspects of their culture?food, music, occupations, homes, religion, community, and entertainment. It was very well explained, and the rangers were helpful with answers. These two sites really take about 6 hours, and we only had about 5 hours.
Tomorrow we are off to Beaumont, Texas, to try to find migratory birds.
Stayed at Lafayette?s Walmart
We haven't been to a zoo in years. Maybe I'll have to add the San Diego Zoo to our list of things to do when we're there in February.
