Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site |
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Maison Olivier
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 Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
Location in Louisiana
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| Location | St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States of America |
| Area | approx. 157 acres (64 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | Louisiana Office of State Parks |
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Acadian House
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| Built | c. 1815 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002133 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 30, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site (which is Site historique d'État Longfellow-Evangeline in French) is a special place in St. Martinville, Louisiana. It helps us understand the rich history and culture of the Bayou Teche area. This site is the oldest state park in Louisiana, first opened in 1934.
It's named after Evangeline, a very famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem tells the story of two Acadian lovers. These characters are now important figures in local history. In the town center, you can find the Evangeline Oak. This tree is said to be where the lovers, Evangeline and Gabriel, met. There's also a statue of Evangeline near St. Martin of Tours Church, marking her supposed grave. The historic site helps us learn about the Acadian and Creole cultures that inspired the poem.
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Discovering Louisiana's Rich History
The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site covers about 157 acres (0.64 km2). It features several historic buildings. These buildings show us what life was like long ago in this part of Louisiana. They help us understand the differences between Acadian and Creole ways of living.
Exploring Historic Buildings
The site has different types of homes and buildings. Each one tells a unique story about the people who lived here. You can see how their homes were built and what tools they used.
The Grand Maison Olivier
One of the most important buildings is the Maison Olivier. It was built around 1815 by Pierre Olivier Duclozel de Vezin. He was a very wealthy Creole person at that time. This house is also known as the Acadian House and is a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
The Maison Olivier is a great example of a Raised Creole Cottage. This style of house is simple but very special. It mixes ideas from Creole, Caribbean, and French building styles. You can find the Maison Olivier behind the Visitor's Center. There's also an old blacksmith shop nearby.
The Simple Acadian Cabin
You can also see an Acadian cabin at the site. This cabin was built around 1790. It looks very different from the Maison Olivier. By comparing the two, you can see the big differences between Acadian and Creole architecture. Acadian homes were often simpler and built by families. Creole homes were sometimes grander, built by wealthier landowners.
Life on an Acadian Farmstead
Near the Bayou Teche, there's a recreated Acadian farmstead. This farm shows what a single-family farm looked like in the early 1800s. It includes several buildings that were important for daily life. You can see the family home, a barn for animals, and a privy (an outdoor toilet). There's also an outdoor kitchen and a bread oven. These buildings help you imagine what farm life was like for Acadian families.
