Welcome to the
Acadian Memorial

In honor of the 3,000 Acadian men, women and children who found refuge in Louisiana after British forces exiled them from Acadie.

Featured Events

Wooden Boat Congrès
The Wooden Boat Congres founders have for the last years recognized the historical value of the Pirogue by featuring it at its annual and in the Re-Enactment of the Arrival of the Acadians. On May 14, 2012, the Legislature of the State of Louisiana passed the House Concurrent Resolution 746 declaring The Pirogue as The Official Boat Of Louisiana.

Schedule for Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival and Wooden Boat Congrès

Saturday May 17th

9:00 am
- Putt Putt Boat arrival until 9:45 am
- Wooden Boat Display (all day – at the bayou)

9:45 am

- Flag Raising and Opening of Festival with Mayor Jason Willis

10:00 am

- Food, Drink & Craft Booths open for service (all day) Jambalaya, boudin, cracklin, and fried catfish
- Lafayette Genealogy Society Family History Help Booth (all day)
- Sweets Booth (all day)

10:00 am – 10:30 am

- Théâtre Cadien – historical vignettes en français (in Acadian Memorial)
- Ryan Abshire and the Envies 10:00am – 3:00pm, pausing for reenactment
- Genealogy Presentations
- Children’s Books & Storytime with the St. Martinville Library (next to Gazebo)

11:00 am

- Acadian Brown Cotton by Elaine Larcade Bourque (in City Hall)
11:00 am – 11:30 am
- “Footsteps in Time” presentation by Gayle Breaux Smith (in City Hall)

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

- French Table hosted by St. Martinville French Table (in Acadian Museum in front of the quilt)

12:30 pm

- Re-enactment of the Arrival of Acadians in Louisiana
  Honoring the Roy & Mouton Families (Bayou/Gazebo – boats leave at 12 pm)

1:30 pm

- Théâtre Cadien – historical vignettes en français (in Acadian Memorial)

3:00 pm

- Festival close

Visit the Museum

The Mural

“The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana” by Robert Dafford, measures 12 x 30 feet and is part of an interactive online feature you don’t want to miss.

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The Wall of Names

Our Wall of Names lists approximately 3000 Acadian refugees from early Louisiana records. Names are engraved on twelve bronze plaques and framed in granite.

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The Eternal Flame

Our Eternal Flame symbolizes the ability of a culture to rekindle itself despite great hardship. The flame rises from the center of a polished granite oval in the Acadian Memorial garden.

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