Acadian Museum

The story of the Acadians is one of the most remarkable in the history of Canada, and the Acadian Museum in Moncton tells it from the inside. The museum is part of the University of Moncton and traces its origins to 1886, when it was founded in Memramcook, which makes it the oldest Acadian museum in the world. It has since grown into a collection numbering tens of thousands of objects and photographs, covering everything from household tools and furniture to costumes, religious items and artworks, and it stands at the centre of Acadian cultural life in New Brunswick.

The museum's main permanent exhibition, Acadian Adventure, follows the story in chronological order, beginning in 1604 when French settlers established a colony on Île Sainte-Croix and then at Port-Royal, in the land they named Acadie. It then moves through the growth of the farming communities along the Bay of Fundy, the dikes the Acadians built to turn salt marsh into fertile farmland, and the long struggle between France and Britain that brought their world down. Visitors learn about the Deportation that began in 1755, when thousands of Acadians were forced from their homes and scattered along the Atlantic coast, to France, Louisiana and elsewhere, and about the slow return and rebuilding of the community in the following century.

Beyond the timeline, the exhibition uses thematic galleries to look at daily life, religion, education, politics, folklore and the arts. Visitors can look at objects such as spinning wheels, fishing gear and vestments, and learn how music, storytelling and food created a distinct culture. The Acadian flag, a French tricolour with a gold star in the blue band, was adopted at a national convention in 1884, and the museum places the symbol within the story of a people reasserting their identity.

Temporary exhibitions change through the year, with displays on particular themes, communities or periods, and the museum runs activities that appeal to families and school groups. Programmes may be in French, English or both, and staff are happy to help with questions.

The museum is on the university campus, in a quiet academic setting, and is within a short drive of downtown Moncton. Visit alongside Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral and the riverfront for a day focused on Acadian heritage. Check the museum's website for hours, admission and the current exhibitions.