LAFAYETTE MUSEUMS
Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve 501 Fisher Rd. (337) 232-0789 nps.gov/jela/new-acadian-cultural-center.htm This National Park facility features extensive exhibits and artifacts recounting the story of the Acadian region population, their history, language, music and architecture. An auditorium features a 40-minute film chronicling the Acadian deportation from Nova Scotia. Publications, music, children’s books and crafts are available for purchase. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Dec. 25 and Mardi Gras Day. Acadian Village 200 Greenleaf Dr. (337) 981-2364 acadianvillage.org Lafayette’s oldest authentic vision of life in 19th century Southwest Louisiana, LARC’s Acadian Village is a showcase of authentic homes along a winding bayou, which depicts unique Acadian architecture of the time. The homes were restored on-site and are filled with period antiques. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the month of December, attend Noel Acadien au Village. It has been a part of LARC’s fundraising history for 30 years. Since the 1950s, LARC has been dedicated to serving the needs of people in the community with developmental disabilities. Throughout LARC’s existence, they have continually expanded to fully include their clients in the mainstream workforce of the community. Visitors from around the country and across the globe join Acadiana in touring the 10-acre grounds. There is so much to enjoy at Noel Acadien au Village – one trip isn’t
enough. After touring the lighting displays, which display over a half a million lights, there are carnival rides, nightly live entertainment, local food in Santa’s Kitchen, shopping in the Christmas Store, photos with Santa, and so much more! Acadiana Center for the Arts 101 W. Vermilion St. (337) 233-7060 AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org info@AcadianaArtsCouncil.org Lafayette’s downtown multidisciplinary arts venue, the Acadiana Center for the Arts, includes a 5,000-square-foot main gallery space and three smaller galleries; lectures and seminars; studio spaces; musical, theatrical, and dance performances; and a gift shop. The James Devin Moncus Theater has seating for 300 and state-of-the-art acoustics. Its re-configurable space can accommodate every type of performance – theater, dance, film and music – from a full orchestra to a Cajun or Zydeco band. The Downtown space also houses AcA’s well-known programs, such as Louisiana Crossroads and the Arts in Education Family Performance Series, providing a hub for arts in the heart of Acadiana. Alexandre Mouton House and Lafayette Museum 1122 Lafayette St. (337) 234-2208 The Lafayette Museum is the 19th-century home of Louisiana’s first Democratic Governor, Alexandre Mouton. Period furnishings, paintings, documents, maps, and Mardi Gras costumes are on display, in addition to artifacts from the Civil War. During the Christmas season, the museum is decorated inside and out by area florists. The house and museum are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays.
Credit: Sharper Photography
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