May 15 - October 31, 2021
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow never stepped foot in the lands
of the Acadians, yet the heroine of his epic poem titled Evangeline, A Tale of
Acadie became embedded in the history and culture of Louisiana and Nova Scotia.
Longfellow’s poem received international acclaim when published in 1847. The
public was fascinated with the story of a young Acadian maiden separated from
her fiancé on her wedding day during the brutal deportation of the
French-speaking people from Acadia, and her epic journey to find him. The
success of Longfellow’s poem launched Evangeline into literary stardom and into
the hearts of the Acadian people themselves. Uniting the Acadian people of Nova
Scotia and Louisiana, Evangeline’s name and image became a symbol of Acadian
and Cajun cultural identity.
This exhibition, organized by the West Baton Rouge Museum,
provides a glimpse into Evangeline’s evolving status from her inception through
today as a legend and heroine, to a brand image and celebrity, and ultimately
into a cultural icon. Inspiring writers, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs,
Evangeline has appeared in many guises. Along the way, her image morphed from
that of a demure Victorian-era maiden into a confident modern woman. This
exhibition includes artworks by Canadian and Louisiana artists, including
François Gaudet, Rémi Belliveau, Melissa Bonin, Mario Doucette, and George Rodrigue, as well as
artifacts and paraphernalia to demonstrate Evangeline’s transformation and her
timeless appeal. The exhibit opens Saturday, May 15 and runs through October
31st.
West Baton Rouge Museum
845 N. Jefferson Avenue
Port Allen, LA 70767
