If you grew up in Louisiana, you know a little bit about Cajun culture, but it’s likely that your knowledge is limited. You might know that “Cajuns” and “Acadians” are interchangeable words and that the Cajuns mainly live in Louisiana. You also might know that much of the group is made up of the descendants of Acadian exiles. If that’s where your knowledge ends, it’s time to go to the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. You’ll learn all about the Cajuns and have a newfound appreciation for this ethnic group.
Learn About the Cajun Influence on Louisiana
This museum might be small, but it does an excellent job of explaining who the Cajuns are and what impact they had on Louisiana. You will see clothing, home furnishings, and more inside of the museum. The video presentation is really outstanding. It goes through the Acadian migration to Louisiana.
The boats that are on display are also really cool. These boats are hand-hewn from logs, and they are impressive to see in person.
Keep the Cajun Dialect Alive
This museum isn’t here just to help people experience the Cajun lifestyle. It’s also here to keep that lifestyle alive in Louisiana. With that in mind, a group meets every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to speak French. Some use the Cajun French dialect, while others simply speak in traditional French. You don’t have to speak French to attend this event. You can attend to learn more about the Cajun dialect.
Cajun Music
The museum also keeps the tradition alive with Cajun music on Monday nights. The music starts at 5:30 p.m. and lasts an hour. You will hear one amazing Cajun song after the next. Different acts perform from one week to the next, so come on a regular basis. This is a great way to explore Cajun traditions and history.
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Take a Boat Tour
You can also take a boat tour when you visit the cultural center. The park rangers have tours through May 23. You will get to go along the Bayou Lafourche and learn some more about Cajun history. It’s a blast.
You will have a great time at the cultural center, and you will likely want to go out and explore even more. That’s easy to do when you get a new vehicle from Barker Buick GMC in Houma, Louisiana. See us before you go to the cultural center, and we will help you find the perfect wheels for all your needs.
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