Vermilionville
Subject: History
300 Fisher Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
(866) 992-2968 | General Information
(337) 233-4077 ext. 206 | Reservations
(337) 233-1694 | Fax
What you need to know!
General Public Hours and Admission Rates: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm; $10.00 Adults, $8.00 Seniors, $6.00 Children 6-18 years old, Free for children under 6 years old
- Student to Chaperone Ratio Requested: 10:1
- Advance Time Needed to Make Reservations: Two weeks
- Advance deposit requested for 50% for food orders and guided tours.
- Number of Students per Visit: 20 -300
- Suggested Length of Time for Visit: Two hours
- Handicapped Accessible: Yes
- Grade Level Appropriate: PreK – 12th
- Lunch Facilities: There is a large on-site restaurant that can provide a hot buffet or bag lunches. There is also a picnic area for groups to bring their own lunch.
- Gift Shop: Yes
- Bus parking available
Tell Us About It!
Situated on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion, Vermilionville reflects the rich cultures of the Acadians and Creoles who settled in this area between 1765 and 1890. French-speaking Acadians settled along the bayous of colonial Louisiana. One such settlement was Vermilionville, later to be named Lafayette. Vermilionville features several acres of history with 18 structures, including six original period homes, a schoolhouse, blacksmith forge, and a chapel. This heritage and folklife park is alive with costumed interpreters, crafts, traditional cooking, and music. Also, winding through the village is a nature trail with interpretive signs to identify some of Louisiana’s plants. Students visit Le Magasin-ecurie (the barn and stable) that features historic tools, farm implements, and animals typical of the 1790s. In Vermilionville’s festive area is Le Petit Musée, featuring exhibits on the Native Americans, bayou life, and the Vermilion Watershed. Field trips to Vermilionville give students a greater understanding of Acadiana’s heritage.
What Can We See and Do There?
Vermilionville enables students to experience yesterday, today. They can see how the Acadians and Creoles lived more than 100 years ago, listen to stories, and most important, learn Acadiana history. Students walk through this re-created town meeting artisans who may be blacksmithing, spinning cotton, cooking, or playing the fiddle. Teachers can arrange for craft classes and dance classes for their students. The self-guided walking tour, on a level-paved pathway, includes a variety of history experiences. The historic buildings feature 18th and 19th century lifestyles. Folklife tradition is all around with smells of old-time cooking and sounds of Cajun and zydeco music permeating the air. Students watch and talk to the open-hearth cooks who prepare traditional fare. The staff is eager to share stories, demonstrate crafts and answer questions. Towards the end of their trek through Vermilionville, students experience what will possibly be their favorite part of the visit, a hand-drawn ferry ride across Le Petit Bayou!
How Do We Get There?
From I-10 take Exit 103A south to Lafayette. This road is Evangeline Thwy. Travel approximately five miles and turn left on Surrey/University. Travel approximately 0.25 of a mile and turn left at the traffic light. This is Fisher Road, which is across from the entrance to the Lafayette Regional Airport. The museum is on the left.
From I-49 travel on Evangeline Thrwy. Turn left on Surrey/University. Travel approximately 0.25 of a mile and turn left at the traffic light. This is Fisher Road, which is across from the entrance to the Lafayette Regional Airport. The museum is on the left.
Bad Weather! Now What Do We Do?
Teachers should call to confirm rainy day plans or be prepared to reschedule their field trip.
Louisiana State Educational Benchmarks and Standards
K-4th grades: G-1A-E1-2; G1B-E1-4; G-1D-E1-2; H-1A-E1-3; H-1B-E1-2; H-1C-E1-4; H-1D-E1, 3
5th-8th grades: G-1A-M1; G-1B-M1-4; G-1C-M4; M-1D-M2-3; H-1A-M1-3, 5; H-1B-M9; H-1D-M1-6
9th-12th grades: G-1B-H1-2, 4; G-1C-H2; G-1D-H3-4; H-1A-H1-4, 6; H-1B-H1-2, 4; H-1C-H9
What Can We Do In Class Before Our Field Trip?
Confirmation materials are mailed once field trips are scheduled. The museum website includes a virtual visit to assist teachers in developing lesson plans. Consider making arrangements for crafts and Cajun and Zydeco dance lessons for students during the field trip.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H Out Your Field Trip Benefits
Ask students to make dioramas of an Acadian/Creole village. They can use their walking tour brochures of the Vermilionville or the website as reference material. Still dancing? Practice the Cajun or Zydeco steps learned at the museum.
INSTRUCTIONAL CONCEPTS
Louisiana history and folk life, French, Cajun and Creole cultures, crafts, music
