Jean Lafitte
National Historical Park and Preserve Home Page
DESCRIPTION:
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established to
preserve for
The park consists of six physically separate sites and a Park Headquarters located in southwestern Louisiana. The sites in Lafayette, Thibodaux, and Eunice interpret the Acadian cultures of the area. The Barataria Preserve (in Marrero) interprets the natural and cultural history of the uplands, swamps, and marshlands of the region. Six miles southeast of New Orleans is the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans and the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam. In the French Market of the historic French Quarter is the park's visitor center for New Orleans. This center interprets the history of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. The Park Headquarters is located in New Orleans.
VISITATION:
High most of the year; lowest visitation in January, September, and December.
LOCATION:
Acadian Cultural Center, Lafayette, LA;
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, Eunice, LA;
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, Thibodaux, LA;
Barataria Preserve, Marrero, LA;
Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, Chalmette, LA;
French Quarter Visitor Center, New Orleans, LA;
Headquarters, New Orleans, LA.
ADDRESS:
Headquarters: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 365 Canal Street, Suite 2400, New Orleans, LA 70130-1142
TELEPHONE:
Headquarters: (504) 589-3882, ext. 100; Fax: (504) 589-3851
Acadian Cultural Center: (318) 232-0789
Barataria Preserve: (504) 589-2330
Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery: (504) 589-4430
French Quarter/New Orleans Visitor Center: (504) 589-2636
Prairie Acadian Culture Center: (318) 262-6862
Wetlands Acadian Culture Center: (504) 448-1375
OPERATING HOURS (SEASONS):
Visitor centers, daily: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed December 25.
CLIMATE (RECOMMENDED CLOTHING):
Summers are generally hot and humid with occasional rain. Winters are mild. Sunscreen is recommended for outdoor activities and insect repellant for natural areas.
DIRECTIONS:
Driving: call individual sites for specific directions.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: I-10 to Lafayette and New Orleans.
LA Highway 90 to Lafayette, Thibodaux, and New Orleans.
Amtrak provides services to New Orleans, Schriever (Thibodaux), and Lafayette via the Sunset Limited.
Services to New Orleans are provided on board Amtrak's City of New Orleans from Chicago; Sunset Limited from Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Jacksonville, and Orlando; Crescent from New York, Washington, DC, and Atlanta.
Interstate bus service available to New Orleans and Lafayette.
Major airlines serve New Orleans. Limited commuter airline service is available to Lafayette.
In Park: Personal vehicle, taxi, and limited bus service in New Orleans and Lafayette.
FEES (COSTS, RATES):
No admission fees. Donations accepted at visitor centers.
FACILITIES (AND OPPORTUNITIES):
Visitor Center/Exhibits: Visitor centers and exhibits are available at each site.
An education center is located at the Barataria Preserve and is available upon special request.
Trails, Roads: Public roads connect all sites. Trails available in the Barataria Preserve.
Programs/Activities: (described site-by-site)
Acadian Cultural Center: Interprets cultural resources related to the Acadian people, who were relocated from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the Mississippi Delta region during 1765-1785, as well as other cultures of the region. Provides a variety of ways to interact with and understand traditional and contemporary Acadian culture, plus other peoples of the area. Located at 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette. Call (318) 232-0789 for further information. Center open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Cajun Way; Echoes of Acadia, a 40-minute film; shown hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center: Depicts the heritage of the Prairie Acadians, shaped by the regions lush grasslands, ideal for raising crops and grazing cattle. Artifacts, exhibits and live demonstrations portray aspects of this unique culture. Located at 250 West Park Avenue, Eunice. Call (318) 262-6862 for further information. Center open Sunday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Every Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Liberty Theatre Performance: A live radio broadcast of Cajun music, stories, anecdotes, etc. in 'Cajun French'.
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center: Located along Bayou Lafourche. Artifacts and exhibits depict a variety of cultures linked closely with the rich swamps, marshes, and coastal waters of this region. Located at 314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux. Call (504) 448-1375 for further information. Center open Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Talks: Saturday and Sunday at 11 :00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Ranger's Choice.
Music Programs: Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cajun Jam Session: Viens Passé, Un Bon Temps!
Films: Various assortment available upon request.
Barataria Preserve: Encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of hardwood forest, cypress swamp and fresh water marsh. Eight miles of boardwalk or hard-surfaced trails and over 20 miles of waterways allow exploration. Visitor center exhibits highlight the natural history and lifeways of the area. Located on the West Bank from New Orleans near Marrero on LA Highway 45. Call (504) 589-2330 for more information. The center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Natural History Walks: daily, 2:00 p.m.
Group tours by reservation.
Canoe treks: Sundays at 8:30 a.m., by reservation.
Moonlight canoe treks: night of and night before full moon, by reservation.
Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery: Preserves the site of the January 8, 1815, Battle of New Orleans, a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812. Facilities include a tour road, visitor center and the Malus-Beauregard House (c.1833). Adjacent to the Battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery. Located on St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. Call (504) 589-4430 for further information.
Battle of New Orleans Talks: daily, 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Living History Demonstrations: The second Saturday of each month.
Group Tours by reservation.
French Quarter Visitor Center: The history and cultural diversity of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region are presented in an overview of the region. Located at 916 N. Peters in the French Market. Call (504) 589-2636 for further information. The center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Walking Tours:
10:30 a.m., History of New Orleans; 30-person limit, first-come, first-served. Passes, limited to one per person, must be picked up in person on the day of the tour.
2:30 p.m., Faubourg Promenade (Garden District - reservations required).
Group Tours (by reservation only): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday mornings and Saturday afternoons.
3:00 p.m., Visitor Center program: Exploring Delta Cultures.
Lodging and camping facilities: None in park, but available nearby.
Food/supplies: None in park, but available nearby.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities:
Eastern National operates book shops at each of the sites.
Accessibility:
All visitor centers and several trails in the Barataria Preserve are accessible.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Cultural demonstrations are available at the Acadian centers, hiking trails and board walks offer good views of the wetlands in the Barataria Preserve, living history programs are available at Chalmette, and free walking tours of the French Quarter and Garden District are available from the French Quarter Visitor Center.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school groups should be made with the individual site at least three weeks in advance.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
The National Park Service, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, National Park Foundation and Eastern National have teamed up with Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) to provide on-board educational programs for passengers traveling on trains through the southeastern United States. The Trails & Rails program is offered during the summer months on board the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana, the City of New Orleans between New Orleans and Jackson, Mississippi, and the Crescent between New Orleans and Atlanta. National Park Service rangers and volunteers provide information and occasional special programs on the significant natural and cultural sites, history, the environment, and the cultural diversity along each route. For further information call (504) 589-2636 or 4428 or go to the Home Page at: http://www.nps.gov/jela/Trails&Rails.htm.
The commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans takes place during the second weekend of January. British and American living history encampments are set up on the battlefield.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The greater New Orleans area offers unlimited possibilities. The Acadian region around Lafayette has numerous sites to visit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For additional information: