I love visiting historical villages and living folk museums whenever I travel but nothing prepared me for just how special and moving the Historical Acadian Village in Caraquet, New Brunswick, Canada was.
What makes this village so special is not just the great historical buildings and equipment they moved to the village site. It’s the passion of the employees for sharing the history of the Acadian people, which is their history, since most of if not all employees there are of Acadian descent. I really saw the pride they had in their job and of the building or home they worked in. It’s not just a job for the people that work there, they love the village, and it shows. They are really anxious to share their knowledge with you in French or English. Several people we talked to for over a half hour.
A couple of the workers in the village described how they were personally before they started working at the village. They described themselves as running through life, but now they say they are really living. They are able to take pride in their work and share about the Acadian life, their ancestor’s life.
In one house, a lady described how the home owner built a well in the house for his wife, among many special things, because he loved his wife a lot. At the end, she told us she knew so much about the house because it was her grandparent’s house. She had waited years to become the guide of that house because of the pride she had for it and it’s history, her history.
Another lady passionately described how Acadians families were split up and spread throughout the world and why family is so important to Acadians. She said even today, Acadians from all over are making pilgrimages to the village. Hard not to tear up listening to that.
With their origins in France, the Acadians were the first French to settle in North America in the 17th century. The history of the Acadians is a tragic one as they were deported in 1755, deprived of their land with families divided up and scattered around the world.
The Acadian Village in Caraquet takes you through Acadian history recalling the daily life of their ancestors and has more then 40 authentic buildings dating from 1770 to 1949. All of the buildings are occupied with interpreters in costume that relate to that period. I really enjoyed the 1900’s era and I felt like I was walking in a street from the past.
Today you can find Acadians in many parts of North America but mainly in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Louisiana (Cajuns)
The adult admission price for the Acadian Village is 17.50 $ CDN and covers 2 days admission (within a 7 day period).Take my advice and come back a second day. If you rush through the village, you’ll miss what makes the place so special. Kids under 6 are free and there are special rates for families and seniors. Their open 7 days a week from 10 to 6 during regular season, but their regular season is only during the warmer months. This years regular season was from June 7th through September 19 . Admission includes a horse cart ride.
http://www.villagehistoriqueac…m/horaires-et-tarifs
The village also has a hotel, Chateau Albert, dating from 1907. One can stay there for 149.95$ CDN a night plus taxes from June 28th to August 16 (weekends until Sept 12) That includes breakfast and park admission for two. If you stay there, the buildings in the village that would of had electricity in their time are lit up.
I was taken around New Brunswick by Vivie, who showed me just why the Acadian Peninsula is so special to her. Vivie, her family, and her friends’ kindness and hospitality will never be forgotten.
I am glad you enjoyed your visit Rob.
It was a pleasure to finally meet you.
You are welcomed back anytime and when you do, we’ll have Dixie Lee chicken for dinner, promise
DrFumblefinger, it would be my pleasure to show you around if you ever come this way!
The Acadian Village really is a special place and so is the whole area. I’ll definitely return and take Vivie up on her Dixie Lee dinner offer! For those of you that missed my clip about Dixie Lee, here’s the famous chicken! Sides are shown in the comment section. Besides the sights , the area also has a great restaurant, Chez Raymond, with an amazing Poutine !
https://www.travelgumbo.com/cli…g-20150712-231632800
Thanks for posting this interesting story, Rob. I’d love to go. Now I need to look it up on a map and start planning. As you said, Acadians spread their history all the way down to Louisiana. Cajuns make New Orleans and Louisiana what it is today.
This is a great piece. The last time I visited New Brunswick was 41 years ago. I am not sure if we stopped here or at other historical sights, but we did enjoy our time there.
That’s a great destination, Rob, and I’m so glad you got to experience it and share it with us!
Kind people and Dixie Lee chicken — seems New Brunswick is a-calling! I’ve traveled extensively thoughout North America but have never made it to the Maritime provinces. Need to rectify that sometime soon.
Thank you, Vivie, you’re very kind and I will be there someday. Not sure when, yet, but it is definitely a “must seen” for me. Nothing like a local expert to bring a place to life, so I’ll let you know when that happens.
Thank you History Digger! I’m sure that you will enjoy your visit when you go. I’d really recommend staying a night at that hotel in the village if you can. I didn’t but it seems like it would be a neat experience.