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Lafayette Info

The Vermilionville Foundation is currently implementing a grant to build a bousillage chimney on the Vermilionville property. The chimney is being added to a home located at Vermilionville that was recently moved to the property and restored by UL Lafayette architecture students. 

Bousillage is a mixture of mud and cured Spanish moss that was used in historic construction. Early Acadian and Creole houses used bousillage for chimneys before brick was readily available. It was also used as an infill between the half timber wall construction called a colombage frame.     

The bousillage chimney project is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council.

This project will culminate on July 28^th with a free event celebrating the completion of the chimney. 

For more information or if you’d like to participate in this folk traditional/occupational craft, contact Anne Laughlin at 237-8360.

Faren Serrette getting started on the project.                                                                         Attendees from the Jean Lafitte National Historical

                                                                                                                                             Park & Preserve Culture Camp making torchis.

Culture camp attendees working on the chimney.                                                                    Culture Camp attendees having fun.  

Dale Pierrottie working the chimney.                                                                                        Anne Laughlin and Charlotte Aall prepare the mud.

Bateau and Palmetto Hut Additions

Bateau Building Project with Faren Serrette

Vermilionville's bateau building project, with master boat builder Faren Serrette, kicked off on Oct. 5, 2003 at our annual Vermilion River Festival.   Serrette used traditional methods and tools to construct this 7' by 23' boat, which was completed in late April.

The completion of the bateau hull was celebrated at Jour des Bateaux, May 1, 2004, at Vermilionville.  A moderated panel discussion with several master boat builders and a presentation by Dr. Ray Brassieur of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette took place at this free event. See the Calendar of Events for more information.

This project is a collaberative effort of the Vermilionville Living History Museum Foundation, Inc., Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Acadian Cultural Center), and Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District (Vermilionville Folklife and Heritage Park & River Operations).

A grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Cultural, Recreation and Tourism as administered by the Acadiana Arts Council was responsible for the underwriting of this program.

With the bateau now completed and named "Cocodrie" by Monica Guillory's 4th grade class at Live Oak Elementary school, boat tours of the Bayou Vermilion are being offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Click here for more information.

Check this site for updates on this project. 

Pictured below is Serrette getting started under the watchful eye of a Vermilion River Festival attendee.

This picture was taken mid-December and documents the progress Faren made by that point. 

In the picture below, also taken mid-December, Faren shows one of his apprentices a model of the bateau.  

The progress Faren has made on the bateau can be seen in the pictures below.

February 26, 2004

March 18, 2004

April 1, 2004

April 8, 2004

The bateau is being turned over in order to complete the hull (late April, 2004).

Community members and boat enthusiasts enjoy Jour des Bateaux (May 1, 2004).

Palmetto Hut Project with Kirby Verret

A joint partnership between Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and Vermilionville has begun to honor the "First People" of Acadiana - the Native Americans.  The project is being administered by the National Park Service in conjunction with Vermilionville and the Native American community. 

The project provides for the design, construction, and interpretation of a replica Native American palmetto dwelling circa 1840's at Vermilionville.  The Chitimacha tribe is providing technical assistance as an active consultant on the project.

The replica is being constructed by Houma Indian Kirby Verret out of bousillage and palmetto.  Verret currently serves on the United Houma Nation Council.  Mr. Verret will be working on the structure at Vermilionville during the week of April 13-16 and will continue construction on weekends during the month of April.

The pictures below help to document the progress Kirby has made.

  Ground Breaking - April 13, 2004

April 14, 2004

  April 16, 2004

  April 16, 2004