Bayou Vermilion District

The Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District will close Rotary Point to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 6 AM, Monday February 8th until 5PM March 31st 2010 for repairs to the parking lot.

The next closest public boat launch is at Beaver Park (I-49 at University). Lafayette residents can also use the North Launch.

Maison Acadienne Rebirth

Our latest renovation, Maison Acadienne opens on March 20, introducing a "Healer's House" to the village. In keeping with the unique nature of this authentic intepretation, Vermilionville is seeking artifacts related to the practices associated with healing in Louisiana that can date to approximately pre-1890. A small altar, Priedieu, prayer cards, old bottles, statues of St. Francis, St. Patrick, or St. Antoine are needed. We could use a small desk, table and chairs and various candles or candle holders. We are also seeking a bible, tintype photographs, and "Zodiac Man" interpretation-possibly of carved wood. If anyone has a potential item, please call Charissa at 233-4077, extension 207.

Acadian Heritage Committee Requests Quilt Squares

(October, 2008) The Acadian Heritage Week committee is requesting participation in its heritage quilt project. Community organizations are encouraged to submit quilt squares that represent the different cultures that have influenced the Acadian culture. These cultures include French, Native American, English, German, Irish, Spanish, Scottish, Qu�b�cois and Africans.

Participants should turn in their quilt squares to Anne Laughlin at Vermilionville, by Friday, August 15. They should be 9 inches by 9 inches, and leave a half-inch, unsewn margin. The name of the organization or individual, the culture the square represents and any additional information or explanation should be turned in along with the square.

Vermilionville artisans and volunteers will begin stitching the quilt at the Bayou Vermilion Festival, on Sunday, Oct. 5.

This quilt will serve as a visual repetition of this year�s Acadian Heritage Week theme, �La Tapisseries acadienne� or �Acadian Tapestry,� which recognizes the many cultures that have played a role in making the Cajun people who they are today. Events in celebration of Acadian heritage will take place throughout Acadiana the from October 5 � 12 in honor of Acadian Heritage Week. To learn more about Acadian Heritage Week, contact Elaine Cl�ment at 262-5810 or visit www.acadianheritage.org . To learn more about the quilting project, contact Anne Laughlin at (337)-233-4077.

The Vermilionville Foundation is currently implementing a grant to build a bousillage chimney on the Vermilionville property. The chimney is being added to a home located at Vermilionville that was recently moved to the property and restored by UL Lafayette architecture students.

Bousillage is a mixture of mud and cured Spanish moss that was used in historic construction. Early Acadian and Creole houses used bousillage for chimneys before brick was readily available. It was also used as an infill between the half timber wall construction called a colombage frame.

The bousillage chimney project is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council.

This project will culminate on July 28th with a free event celebrating the completion of the chimney.

For more information or if you�d like to participate in this folk traditional/occupational craft, contact Anne Laughlin at 237-8360.

Vermilionville's bateau building project, with master boat builder Faren Serrette, kicked off on Oct. 5, 2003 at our annual Vermilion River Festival. Serrette used traditional methods and tools to construct this 7' by 23' boat, which was completed in late April.

The completion of the bateau hull was celebrated at Jour des Bateaux, May 1, 2004, at Vermilionville. A moderated panel discussion with several master boat builders and a presentation by Dr. Ray Brassieur of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette took place at this free event. See the Calendar of Events for more information.

This project is a collaberative effort of the Vermilionville Living History Museum Foundation, Inc., Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Acadian Cultural Center), and Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District (Vermilionville Folklife and Heritage Park & River Operations).

A grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Cultural, Recreation and Tourism as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council was responsible for the underwriting of this program.

With the bateau now completed and named "Cocodrie" by Monica Guillory's 4th grade class at Live Oak Elementary school, boat tours of the Bayou Vermilion are being offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Click here for more information.

A joint partnership between Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and Vermilionville has begun to honor the "First People" of Acadiana - the Native Americans. The project is being administered by the National Park Service in conjunction with Vermilionville and the Native American community.

The project provides for the design, construction, and interpretation of a replica Native American palmetto dwelling circa 1840's at Vermilionville. The Chitimacha tribe is providing technical assistance as an active consultant on the project.

The replica is being constructed by Houma Indian Kirby Verret out of bousillage and palmetto. Verret currently serves on the United Houma Nation Council. Mr. Verret will be working on the structure at Vermilionville during the week of April 13-16 and will continue construction on weekends during the month of April.