Cajun Homes-Lifestyles 1875-1959.wmv
133,167
Published 2011-11-08
The Acadians (French: Acadiens, IPA: [akadjɛ̃]) are the descendants of the seventeenth-century French colonists who settled in Acadia (located in the Canadian Maritime provinces — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and in the US state of Maine). The settlers whose descendants became Acadians did not all come from the same region in France.
In the Great Expulsion of 1755-1763, mostly during the Seven Years' War, British colonial officers and New England legislators and militia deported more than 14,000 Acadians from the maritime region in what could be called an ethnic cleansing . Approximately one third perished. Gradually, some managed to make their way to Louisiana, creating the Cajun population and culture after mixing with others
When the Acadians first arrrived in Louisiana, some put up quick, temporary shelters made of wood and palmetto leaves. The Native Americans had been building such dwellings for years. Built upon a pole frame, palmettos would be uses on the roof (as was straw in France and Acadia). Many also used palmetto for walls until wood could be cut.
When they had the time to build a more substantial structure, they often built homes by putting wood vertically into the ground for walls. These 2nd generation Acadian homes (1766-1827) were either poteaux en terre (post in ground) or planche debout (upright planks). The easiest of the two, poteaux en terre, was to cut logs, strip off the bark, and place it in a hole in the ground. The gaps between the logs would be filled with a mud and straw/moss mixture (bousillage). If they had the time and manpower, they might cut planks from the logs and place the planks vertically in the ground (planche debout) to make the walls (again, filling the gaps with bousillage). Roofs were covered with shingles or wood. These homes were built directly on the ground.
The Acadians soon learned that to build a wooden home on the ground was not the way to go. The occasional flooding and insect damage was terrible to these kinds of homes. Upon arriving in Louisiana, they noted that Creole homes were often built off the ground. This kept the home from water & insects and helped provide better ventilation. The 3rd generation Acadian home (1790-1850) was built on pillars of wood or brick. It was small, averaging about fifteen by twenty-five feet in size. Many had galleries in front. The chimney - made of bousillage at first, later of brick - was on one end of a one-room home. Two-room homes often had the chimney in-between the rooms.
The 4th generation Acadian home (1790-1920) was often larger that previous versions. By the mid-1800s, it was the common type of Acadian house. It has a gallery (porche on the front (and sometimes the back). This served two purposes. It gave them a place to sit to cool off and to socialize. It also allowed for a taller roof to provide room for storage and sleeping quarters. There were stairs to the atttic, usually located on the inside of homes in east Acadiana and outside the homes in west Acadiana. The upstairs sleeping area for the boys was called the garçonniere. The roof was covered with wood shingles at the beginning of this time period, but these were often replaced by corrugated tin roofing later in the 1800s. As the family grew, a separate but connected building was often built to the rear for kitchenspace or a bedroom. The windows had no glass, but were covered by wooden shutters. Some had two rooms side-by-side, with a front door opening up to each. One room was the common family room and kitchen, while the other room was a bedroom for the parents and daughters. As some Acadian families grew in size and wealth, larger homes with multiple rooms would be built.
As the 20th century progressed, most Cajuns began occupying contemporary housing styles, though some still have similar features to the old Acadian homes. Though there are a few 18th century Acadian homes scattered around south Louisiana, they are disappearing. This video of still pics represents only a portion of the snapshots I have collected of old Cajun homes. If you have old pics your are willing to share, please email them to [email protected]
Thanks, Richard DesHotels
All Comments (21)
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I live in a old house in Church Point, La. I tried to find a build date for our house and was told by some neighbors that my house was built around the mid 1930`s. It has hardwood floors and solid cypress tongue and groove walls and ceilings. Some of the planks have white wash on them, and others have old paint. Cypress hardens as it ages, and when I retiled my ceilings, the staples couldn`t penetrate some of the planks. I had to use a nail gun to put my crown molding back in place. It has 6" x 6" rough hewn redwood support and cross beams. Replacing the materials in here would be impossible so I try to recycle as much as I can. But we Love our old home and try to keep it as original as possible.
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Excellent piece of work...thank you !!
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my mom and her siblings did not even have these luxuries in the 1930s-40s. she lived on what was called the illinois plantation? in kaplan or little dog island. they lived in a 1 room house and went to a 1 room school. and all grades where in that 1 room school. and if they spoke french the teacher would give them an old fashion bitch slap or a whipping with a hickory switch. they had all the crawfish they needed to survive. as kids they would run parallel to the intracoastal canal, she said the people on the tug boats would throw apples to them ( i guess they felt sorry for them). she moved to texas married and had kids. she really missed life on the plantation and she enjoyed her brothers , sisters and mother. as children we would ask her questions about the plantation. her response was always the same...........that she really miss those days.
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These are wonderful. My Grandmother was from the deep south. Despite the mocking from hateful #msm politicians and Hollywood, Cajun/Creole ppl are mesmerizing and intriguing. So much culture and the food is delightful 😋😍☺ Do not let haters take your cultur
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Spent every summer growing up in Louisiana, it’s a magical place with the best food on the planet.
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Great video, Chartangier hadn't changed much. Still feels that way.
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I grew up here with all this and I live here and I will probably die here. I love south Louisiana. Would not have it any other way. C. Thibodeaux
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Thank you for making this video. I am a 11th generation Acadian, descending from Michel (b 1601) and Michelle Aucoin ( b 1618) Boudrot. He was Counselor and Lt. General of Port Royal, Acadia, ( Canadian Maritimes) Arriving in 1642, they both are originally from Cougnes, diocese of de La Rochelle, France.
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I am Brazilian and have been iin Louisiania to know Cajun Culture: music, food, people. I bring some cds and recipes . Wonderful !! I recommend a lot.
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I absolutely 💯% LOVE the music 🎶
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Probably, if it were not for their music I would not have heard of these folk. As it is, through the music I have gained an interest. What a treasury of images presented here, all to some great music. Thanks for an informative and enjoyable presentation I was amazed to see the ladies still in their bonnets as late as the Forties, only a few years before I was born to grow up dealing with electronics and lasers!
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I am enjoying this video. My dad, Hursey Richard played an accordian in a French music band. They recorded at KSLO in Opelousas. Although poor, we were happy.
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Love those old homes. My first house was an 1869 barn I converted. 👍🏻
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Thank you so much❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I just love this Saturday afternoon watching your video and listening to the great music with my dog eating grass and my cat sitting on the porch and just thinking all the beautiful thoughts of Louisiana and her people😊😊😊😊😊😊 I hope this finds you doing excellently in life
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Can't get enough of your pics and music, brings back some good memories.
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Thanks for your wonderful videos coming from a Cajun family in New Iberia Louisiana area this brings back great memories of our heritage
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I became a real Cajun 'fan' last year, when I saw the special on the Savoy family. His accordion playing was simply wonderful. My heart was stolen by that music, and the family's warm engaging ways...BTW my husband is Basque, from Mexico, and worked for many years on the New Orleans waterfront...
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Well done.......thanks for posting!
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Thank you for the video I truly enjoyed it💝
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Absolutely amazing!! Thank you 😊
