Maine Acadians share beliefs and experiences tying them to a common religion, languages, and history. The St. John River, land, and family are essential to their culture. The National Park Service supports the Maine Acadian Heritage Council, an a...
The Acadian Archives are the premier center for the study of Acadian history and culture in the US Northeast. The rich collections of the archives chronicle the story of French heritage peoples in the St. John Valley and beyond. These collections include unique genealogical resources, photographs, maps, and parish records in addition to rotating exhibits. More than a research center, the archives also hold cultural activities throughout the year.
The Allagash Historical Society/Museum highlights the Irish/Scottish heritage of the settlers of Allagash. You will find displays of lumbering, farming, and the St. John River log drives, as well as a display honoring the veterans of the town, histories of the schools and churches. Photograph collections demonstrate ways of life when the first settlers came up the mighty St. John River.
Association Culturelle et Historique du Mont-Carmel
Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel was founded in 1973 in order to preserve and restore the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, a Roman Catholic church was built in 1908-1909. It was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. This museum consists of the former church as well as the former Lawrence Parent General Store now known as the Galerie Lille-sur-St-Jean.
Founded in 1925, the Fort Kent Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Fort Kent, Maine. Stop by to visit the five buildings bursting with Fort Kent memorabilia. The railroad station opened in 1902 and includes a baggage room, an office for the station agent, and separate waiting rooms for women and men. Also on site are the Daigle-Dube House reflecting an earlier family life, a one-room schoolhouse, a barn, and the Paul D. Thibodeau Visitors' Center with annual displays.
Visit the largest Acadian village, Héritage Vivant, in the US outside of Louisiana. Seventeen buildings illustrate the progress of Acadian ancestors, from an actual 1790s dirt-floor log home to early 1900s houses. Homes, furnishings, shops and implements are displayed, along with a log chapel and one-room school. Tours are available.
