Village Acadien Brings History to Life
Century-old buildings and artifacts from an Acadian village are bringing history to life in Yarmouth County.
Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse, which officially opened today in West Pubnico, features an old Acadian cemetery and five buildings from the 1800s. The buildings, currently under renovation, were moved to this location from Pubnico, the site of the oldest Acadian community in the world.
Pubnico is also the only Acadian region that predates the Deportation of 1755 and that continues to be inhabited by descendants of its founding Acadian families.
"We're well on our way to achieving our goal of building a living village that depicts Acadian life before and after the Deportation," said Eddie d'Entremont, president of Le Village's board of directors. "This is a long-term project with enormous cultural and economic potential for our region, and it would not have been possible without government and community support."
In 1997, the project received $666,000 from the Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development. Assistance was also provided by Human Resources Development Canada.
"For hundreds of years, Acadians have coloured Nova Scotia's cultural heritage with their language and traditions," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "Le Village Acadien is a fitting tribute to their rich contribution to the province and an attraction that's sure to draw more visitors to this rural Nova Scotia community."
A visitor reception centre includes interpretive displays on Acadian history and culture in Nova Scotia and other areas. The centre also houses a gift shop stocked with items made by local artisans.
"Visitors to this village will be able to experience Acadian history firsthand. This remarkable interactive historic site will be an attractive tourism destination that will increase economic activity in the region and within the province," said Senator Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Jane Stewart, Minister for Human Resources Development Canada.
Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse is open from mid-June to mid-October, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information on Le Village is available at www.tusket.com .
Opened to the public last year, more than 5,000 visitors from around the world have toured the 6.8-hectare site.
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