Acadian Memorial --- St. Martinville, LA
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Acadian Memorial
ACADIAN
MEMORIAL


St. Martinville, LA
(318) 394-2258 

History  |  Location  |  Acadian Memorial Foundation  |  Membership  |  Souvenirs



PHOTOGRAPHS
Wall of Names ... Acadian Memorial
Wall of Names
[Surnames found on the Wall of Names]

The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana by Robert Dafford
Acadian Mural
[Click on image for a larger size image]


 
Eternal Flame
Eternal Flame

Acadian Odyssey Quilt
History of the Acadian Memorial
     The Acadian Memorial dates back to 1991, when the former city hall building was designated as such.  It is located in St. Martinville, Louisiana.   St. Martinville, located less than 1/2 hour SW of Lafayette is a small town where some of the earliest Acadians settled ... then called the Attakapas region.  A wall-size mural was done by Robert Dafford on the Acadians and unveiled on Oct. 28, 1995.  Less than two months later, an eternal flame was lit in memory of the Acadians.  In 1996, 2 poster boards were set up: one had the ship lists from the seven 1785 ships, and the other had all other Acadians who came to Louisiana in the 1700s.  The bronze Wall of Names has been completed with the names of all of the Acadian immigrants who came to Louisiana.  The research room is also open.   Since they are dependent upon donations to purchase reference materials, your contributions are encouraged.
    Another aspect of the Memorial is an online database, Ensemble Encore, of the Acadian immigrants and their families.  Be sure to check it out.
     The Memorial also has its own web page, though it isn't maintained regularly.  It does have additional information on attractions in the St. Martinville area. 
Location of the Acadian Memorial
     From Hwy 90, take LA 96 into St. Martinville.  When you get downtown, you will see the road turn into a boulevard; the church will be ahead on your left.  Keep going straight and you will have to turn left after one block.  The Memorial is about 100 yards further, on the right.  A gift shop is located in a separate building between the Memorial and the Evangeline Oak.
Interactive map of St. Martinville
Acadian Memorial Foundation
The Acadian Memorial Foundation was created to ensure that the integrity of the Acadian Memorial would be maintained and to guide Memorial operations with respect to its mission.  Your membership will support programs like these:
  • The Multimedia Archive, a research tool for everyone from the curious visitor to the genealogy hobbyist to the university researcher.
  • The Acadian Memorial Orientation Center, to be housed next to the Memorial, needs your contributions for exhibit construction.
  • Equipment, like stanchions for crowd control and window coverings to protect the commemorative mural, furnishings, computers, artifacts, historic costumes and other necessities.
  • Programs, like the talk in April 1997 by visiting researcher Gérard Braud on the 1600 Acadians in Nantes who came to Louisiana, or the celebration on August 15, of La Fete Nationale des Acadians, the National Day of the Acadians.  First-person interpretations or short play about Louisiana's early Acadians such as Olivier Terriot and Elisabeth Thibodeau Brasseur can only be featured regularly with your support.
The sole purpose of the Acadian Memorial Foundation is to support these projects and activities and in doing so, ensure the remembrance of one of Louisiana's most valuable resources --- its Acadian legacy.  And, friends like you are an invaluable resource to the Foundation.  We need and appreciate your continued support.  If you have already sent in your membership, you should be receiving your annual pass, along with our heartfelt thanks, shortly.  If not, won't you take just a moment to join us now?
                                                                               Sincerement,
                                                                               Patricia D. Resweber, President
                                                                               Acadian Memorial Foundation, Inc.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

_____ Charter Membership $ 2,000
                        Sponsorship of a mural figure, four-color mural print signed by artist, 
                        lifetime pass and membership, souvenir pack, name displayed on plague
_____ Lifetime Membership $ 500    [ Four-color mural print, lifetime pass and membership]
_____ 1 Year Family Membership $ 25   [1 year pass for 2 people]
_____ 1 Year Single Membership $15 [1 year pass for 1 person]

A newsletter, Calling All Cajuns! is also sent out to all members.

Name, address, membership level, and payment should be sent to:
     The Acadian Memorial Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 844, St. Martinville, LA  70582

Acadian Memorial Souvenirs
PRINTS and POSTERS
1. Commemorative art print of the amazing Memorial mural, "The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana" by Robert Dafford, 26" x 12" full color lithograph, limited edition, signed and numbered, includes key to figures.  $65
2. Poster print of Acadian Memorial mural, 20" x 10," full color lithograph, includes mural key.  $12
3. "Odyssey of a People" poster, interprets the exile and shows routes Acadians followed.  French on one side, English on the other.  $15
T-SHIRTS
4. Acadian Memorial mural T-shirts.  Bi-lingual French/English. Youth M or L or Adult S, M, L, XL, XXL, or XXL.  No-shrink 50/50 white cotton/poly blend.  $15
PINS
5. "Of Acadian Descent/De Descendance Acadienne" dark blue lapel pin with gold Eternal Flame logo.  $5
6. Lapel pin of Acadiana flag of Louisiana.  $3
BOOKS and MAGAZINES
7. Acadian Family Names by revered genealogist Stephen White.  Bilingual French/English.  $3
8. Scattered to the Wind by renowned Acadian historial Carl Brasseaux.  $5
9. Deportation of the Acadians by Parks Canada.  Bilingual French/English.  #2
10. Acadiana Profile Magazine, Acadian history issue with cover and centerfold of Memorial mural.  $2.50
11. 3-issue Acadiana Profile series on Acadian history (includes No. 10 above).  $7.50
FLAGS
12. Acadiana flag of Louisiana, 3" x 5" nylon on miniature pole.  $3
13. Acadian flag from Canada, handmade of nylon by Acadian women in Canada.  3'x6' - $30, 4"x6" - $5
POSTCARDS
14. Memorial mural by Robert Dafford.  $1.50
15. Nantes mural by Robert Dafford, "Embarkation of the Acadians for Louisiana."  $1.50
16. Stunning works by Claude Picard painted for Parks Canada depict the Acadian harvest, refusal of the oath, imprisonment, deportation, burning of houses and fields, and Acadian resettlement.  6 card set for $5.50


Item number, quantity, description/size, price per item, and total price should be listed and added to a shipping charge of $2 ($6 if a print is included).  Phone orders are accepted at: (318) 394-2258.  Mail orders can be sent to:
     Acadian Memorial, P.O. Box 379, Dept. A.M., St. Martinville, LA  70582

NOTE: Both memberships and souvenirs can be charged to your VISA or Mastercard.

Acadian-Cajun Genealogy & History
Acadian History | Acadian Genealogy | Cajun History | Cajun Genealogy
MAIN PAGE | "How To" Book | Article Index
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Copyright © 1997-99 Tim Hebert





 
Events at the Acadian Memorial during CMA-LA, 1999
Unless noted, all activities were at the Acadian Memorial
Every day activities:
10 am - Guided tour (in French & English)
11 am - Mural character vignette (French or English)
4 pm - Guided tour (in French & English)


Monday, August 2, 1999
2 pm - Les Acadiens et la bonne terre: Professor Glen Conrad speaks on early Acadian landholding in Louisiana (English)
Tuesday, August 3, 1999
2 pm - Jean Francois speaks on The March, a novel about Louisiana Acadian Pierre Pitre and the War of 1812 (English with bilingual discussion)
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
2 pm - Ensemble Encore: Dr. Carl Brasseaux speaks on the online archive
7 pm - La Table Francaise: French sing-a-long
Thursday, August 5, 1999
2 pm - Eileen Chiasson Pendergast to speak on the Acadians of Prince Edward Island (French with bilingual discussion)
Friday, August 6, 1999
2 pm - Gregory Wood speaks on Acadians in Maryland
7 pm - OUTDOORS - Zydeco deVille concert by Sha-Me-Noo (bilingual cosponsor Golden Keys)
Saturday, August 7, 1999
Longfellow Evangeline State Commemorative Area, St. Martinville - 65th anniversary of Louisiana State Parks celebration
11 am - St. Martin Parish Library (on Porter St.) - Evangeline film reunion (English)
4 pm - St. Martin de Tours - Mass (English with French choir)
5:30 pm - Chorale Acadienne du Sudouest from Pubnico, Nova Scotia in concert (French)
6-9 pm - OUTDOORS - Belizaire of Paris to play traditional Cajun music (French)
9-12 pm - OUTDOORS - NIK-L Beer to play traditional swamp pop (English); sponsors Kiwanis/Lions/Jaycees
Sunday, August 8, 1999
Longfellow Evangeline State Commemorative Area: Traditions of the Teche
7:30 pm - St. Martin Square - Chariot parade; sponsor: Lioness Club
Monday, August 9, 1999
Nantes Day
2 pm - Vignette on Olivier Terrio, then Gerard Braud to speak on Acadians in Nantes (French)
6 pm - Maison Duchamp: Nantes Acadian Maryannick Braud in concert (French)
Tuesday, August 10, 1999
2 pm - Jane G. Bulliard to speak on the Wall of Names (English)
6 pm - Maison Duchamp: Cajun singer/songwriter Helen Boudreaux in concert (bilingual)
Wednesday, August 11, 1999
Bouctouche Day
10 am - Genealogist Stephen White to speak (English with bilingual discussion)
2 pm - Jean Clovis Colette to speak on the City of Bouctouche (bilingual)
3:30 pm - Mi'kmaq and Louisiana Native American presentation (English)
5:30 pm - OUTDOORS - La Petite Boucherie: Jr. Flores & Bayou Boys with guest fiddler Dominique Dupuis; sponsor: Jaycees
Thursday, August 12, 1999
10 am - Betty Boudreau Vaughn to speak on her novel I'll Buy You an Ox
2 pm - Dr. Neil Boucher to speak of the Acadians' return to the Maritimes
8 pm - Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette - Acadian Memorial Fundraiser - Evangeline the Musical in concert by Jamie Wax
Friday, August 13, 1999
Grand Pre Day
2 pm - Dr. Barbara LeBlanc to speak on Grand Pre (bilingual)
7 pm - OUTDOORS - Zydeco de Ville: Sha-Me-Noo in a zydeco music concert (bilingual); sponsor: Golden Keys
Saturday, August 14, 1999
10 am - Main Street - Parade of Festivals
2 pm - Forum: Meet the Acadians / Rencontrez les Acadiens (bilingual)
4 pm - Maison Duchamp - Scenes from Maison Duchamp: a short play (English)
5 pm - Maison Duchamp - La Famille Duchamp: une saynete (French)
5 pm - OUTDOORS - Sha-Me-Noo in concert (bilingual)
8 pm - OUTDOORS - Magnolia Sisters in concert (French)
10 pm - St. Martin Square - Bells on the Square concert
10:30 pm - Tintamarre
11 pm - CMA French Closing Mass at St. Martin de Tours
12 am - Area Restaurants - Community Breakfast
12:30 - 2 am - OUTDOORS - Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Cha Band
Sunday, August 15, 1999
Fete Nationale des Acadiens
6:30 am - City Hall - Flag raising ceremony
7 am -5 pm - Open House
2 pm - Acadian author and politial leader Jean-Marie Nadeau to speak (French)