Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center

Life in Louisiana's wetlands wasn't easy back in the day, but there was almost always time for a song or two.

 

WHAT"S HAPPENING:

Understanding Bayou Lafourche Canoe Trek - 9:00 a.m.-noon, Sunday, February 24. Paddle the bayou and explore its ecology from the distinct vantage point of a canoe: look for birds, test the water, identify plants, and discuss ecological interaction. This trek is ideal for adults (18 years and older) who are interested in learning more about how to observe and collect information about the world around them. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are provided, and the trek is free, but space is limited so email the park to reserve your spot. Here's a pdf of the Understanding Bayou Lafourche Canoe Trek flier to download, print, and share.

Monday Music - 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Monday (no music on federal holidays when center is closed). Discover the wide range of south Louisiana's music: zydeco, gospel, blues, jazz, Cajun, and more. Free. If you have suggestions or requests for performers, email the park. Scheduled performers are

• February: 4 - Bruce Daigrepont; 11 - Cajun Music Preservation Society; 18 - no music; center closed for federal holiday; 25 - Clarence Johnson.
• March: 4 - Jerry Moody; 11 - Michael Doucet; 18 - Cajun Music Preservation Society; 25 - to be announced.
• April: 1 - to be announced; 8 - Cajun Music Preservation Society; 15 - Gina Forsythe and Waylon Thibodeaux; 22 - Cajun Music Preservation Society; 29 - to be announced.

Share Your Stories - 10:00 a.m.-noon every Monday. Join Lafourche Parish Library staff, park rangers, and park volunteers to share your stories of life along Bayou Lafourche. The goal of the Share Your Stories project is to buld a collection of recorded stories that will be housed at the library for future historians and to encourage present-day thought and conversation. Free. At the Thibodaux Branch Library, 705 West Fifth Street, Thibodaux.

Cercle Francophone - 5:30-7:00 p.m. every Tuesday. Come pass a good time speaking French (Cajun or otherwise). Help keep French alive in Louisiana---and if you don't speak French, come on along to watch linguistic history in action. No Cercle on federal holidays or on Mardi Gras (Tuesday, March 5, in 2019) when center is closed. Free.

Historic Thibodaux Walking Tour - 2:00 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Join a ranger for a walk through downtown Thibodaux and hear the stories of its past. No tour on federal holidays or on Mardi Gras when the center is closed. Free.

Boat tours on Bayou Lafourche - Cruise into Louisiana's past on a ranger-guided boat tour. Destinations, dates, times, and ticket information at the link.

Citizen science programs, training, and events - Join the team to learn about the world around you, record your observations, and share them to assist with scientific research.

Summer camps - registration is now underway; follow the link for information.

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The lives of the Acadians (Cajuns) and others whose travels brought them to Louisiana's bayous are featured at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux. Explore recreation, clothing, home furnishings, religion, cuisine, and fishing through exhibits, artifacts, videos, and films. A 200-seat theater is used for productions by the Thibodaux Playhouse, Inc., and other programs. Kids can earn a badge with the Junior Ranger program. The center's museum store has CDs, craft items, and books from cookbooks to children's stories on sale. Admission to the center and to most programs is free. Follow these links for the park's calendar of events, exhibits, and programs; for directions and transportation options; and for accessibility information.

314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux
985-448-1375
Open Monday-Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, March 5, in 2019). Useful information about public transportation, regulations on pets, etc., is available here.

Special programs by reservation:

• Field trips for schools and other groups.