During your visit to this Lafayette, Louisiana attraction step back in time as you explore Vermilionville Living History and Folklife Park’s historic village. Walkways beneath moss draped oak and cypress trees will lead you past a number of originally restored structures dating from 1765 through the 1890s, as well as recreations of other buildings of the period. Artisans found within the homes provide demonstrations on a variety of essential crafts performed by the early settlers of Attakapas County.
Historic Homes
La Chapelle Des Attakapas
Step into La Chapelle Des Attakapas, a reproduction of the style based on the Catholic churches at Pointe Coupee and St. Martinville, and learn about Roman Catholic Acadians and the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Artisans in La Chapelle Des Attakapas can often be found making rosaries with seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi, or Job’s Tears.
Beau Bassin
Beau Bassin, built of colombage and bousillage with a blend of Creole and American Greek Revival styles, was built around 1840. Within, spinning, weaving, quilting and textile crafts are often demonstrated. On display you will find a 150-year-old Acadian loom.
Maison Boucvalt
Maison Boucvalt, a classic 19th century Acadian and Creole house was built around 1860 and features glass transoms that let light in and hot air out as well as louvered shutters that are adjustable. Treadle machine sewing demonstrations take place in Maison Boucvalt.
Maison Mouton
Maison Mouton is a reconstruction of a basic Acadian house from 1810. The house has no glass windows, only shutters. Maison Mouton’s porch once served as an extra room during the warm months of the year and for social activities. Essential tasks of the Acadian man including cabinet making and other woodworking skills are demonstrated within.
L’Ecole
L’Ecole is a reproduction of a typical 1890s schoolhouse. Inside you will see the words “I will not speak French in school,” echoing the days in the early 20th century when Louisiana law forbade the speaking of Southwest Louisiana’s principal language.
Healer’s Garden
The living history museum’s Healer’s Garden originated with Dr. Ray Brassieur’s vision to design a historically accurate Healer’s Garden inspired by the 1933 LSU master’s thesis of Charles Joseph Bienvenu. Connect with the unique cultural history and the local natural resources found within Healer’s Garden as you see, smell and touch a collection of plants used for medicinal purposes for 250 years by Cajun, Creole, African-American and Native American people in South Louisiana. As you enter Healer’s Garden you will see familiar plants including a variety of fragrant mints like spearmint, Mentha spicata, peppermint, Diospyros virginiana and horse mint. As you make your way further into the Healer’s Garden you will see elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, ground cherry, Physalis and lemon balm. Unusual plants including lizard tail, Saururus cernuus, wormseed, Chenopodium ambrosioides and groundsel bush can also be spotted throughout Healer’s Garden.
Be sure to stop by La Boutique at Vermilionville. A unique selection of Cajun, Creole and Native American arts and crafts, books, and CDs and DVDs are available to purchase. Many of the gifts found in La Boutique are one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items made by Vermilionville’s on-site artisans.
Travel Tip
- Vermilionville Living History and Folklife Park is ADA complaint. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.