Located within the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park in Lafayette, the Acadian Cultural Center tells the complex tale of the origins, forced migration, settlement and evolving cultural traits of the Acadians or Cajun people. The cultural center tells this story through the use of ranger-led talks, films, historical artifacts, interpretive displays, tours and special events. It delves into the Acadian’s music, oral history, dance, food, farming and building techniques, clothing, craft making and language. Admission to the center is free.
Established in 1990, Vermillionville Historic Village is a living history museum that preserves, interprets and promotes the Acadian, Native American and Creole folklife of southern Louisiana between 1765-1890. The village, which covers twenty-three acres, has nineteen attractions, seven of which are restored original homes. Local artisans work in these homes and demonstrate how handcrafts were made during the period. The village also offers exhibits exploring the various cultures of the region and various educational programming including summer camps.
One of the highlights of both the university and the city, this art museum opened in 1968 and expanded to a new facility in 2004. The museum's collections include the work of hundreds fo regional artists and folk art in addition to that Jacqueline Heymann Cohn Japanese Print Collection and the largest collection of works by modernist Henry Botkin.
After trying to enroll at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana Lafayette) in Lafayette, LA on September 15, 1953; Shirley Taylor, Clara Dell Constantine, Martha Jane Conway, and Charles Vincent Singleton were denied entry to the all-white school. Their efforts did not stop there, and they enlisted the legal assistance of attorney Thurgood Marshall and his team of lawyers with the NAACP. What started out simply as 3 young, Black women and one Black young man attempting to enroll in a college that allowed them to stay at home while attending school, ended in a class action complaint. The class action complaint these young people and their legal representation put forth, ultimately was a victory and desegregated the very first state college in Louisiana. The marker to commemorate these young pioneers, their courage and determination can be found on Rex St near E St. Mary Blvd in Lafayette.
This statue honors the French aristocrat who became a hero for the rebels fighting Great Britain in the American Revolution. The statue was dedicated in 1987 and celebrates the French military leader who is best known for blocking British forces under Lord Cornwallis from being able to retreat during the Siege of Yorktown. Lafayette later became an influential leader of the French Revolution and was one of the architects of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. The city was named Vermilionville in 1821 and changed its name to Lafayette in 1884.
This historic cathedral, completed in 1916, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the third church built on the site donated by Jean Mouton in 1821, when Lafayette was the town of Vermilionville. Nearby St. John Cemetery is the oldest in the city of Lafayette. The high water table in South Louisiana makes aboveground burial a necessity in most places in the region.
This story is about the grave marker of one of Louisiana's most celebrated Confederate generals--Alfred Mouton.
Built in 1898, Lafayette’s first city hall originally served as the Bank of Lafayette until 1906 when the city purchased the building for $4,500. The 2.5 story building was designed by local architect, George Knapp, and is a wonderful example of the Rococo style. The building served as the seat for the city’s government and city council for 33 years until a new city hall was built in 1939. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the first building in Lafayette to earn that honor.
Originally built around 1800, the Alexandre Mouton House is an historic home in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is now a museum dedicated towards preserving the history of southern Louisiana. It was built by Alexandre's father, Jean Mouton, who was one of the first settlers in the area. Alexandre began living there around 1825 and remained there until 1836. Alexandre served as the governor of Louisiana from 1843-1846. Successive owners lived in the house until 1954, when a women's group called the Les Vint-Quatre purchased the house for the purpose of opening it up as a museum. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Dedicated in 1922 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, this statue commemorates Confederate General Alfred Mouton who perished during the Civil war. There have been several major protest to have the statue removed, one in 1980 and the other recently in 2016. Mouton was a influential member in the community, but he was known for owning slaves and contributing to several acts of violence against African Americans. People within the city and surrounding area still see it has history and tradition, but this is a false hope leaning on the Lost Cause. There have been several attempts to have it removed and various prestigious people in Lafayette coming out about it being moved or taken down.
The Lafayette Science Museum is dedicated towards providing fun and educational science programming for people of all ages. Its origins go back to 1969 when a women's group called the Les Deux Douzaines started a community volunteer project that provided science education to schools in the area. The popularity of what the group was doing resulted in the museum moving into a temporary site in Gerard Park. In 1992, some operations moved into a former department store and the rest followed suit in 2002. The museum contains permanent exhibits that explore space travel, geology, meteorites and aquatic life. The museum also houses a library and archives.
This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.
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Featuring living museums and cultural centers, as well as historical markers and statues, this tour will take the reader through downtown Lafayette. Beginning at the Lafayette Acadian Cultural center and ending at the Lafayette Science Museum this driving tour is just under 6 miles long.
