15 août 2015 – Telegraph Journal (S4-S5) A display of Acadian perseverance and evolution

Founded in 1886, the Acadian Museum in has flourished from a small space for pieces of the past into one of the largest collections in the world of Acadian artifacts – hosting more than 38,000 objects and photographs. While it grapples with more relics than it can showcase, the historical hub of Acadian culture helps New Brunswickers and those living beyond our borders to ‘see where we’ve come from, and it helps us to see where we’re goi g.’

By Linda Hersey

Enter the hushed interior of the Pavillon Clément-Cormier on the campus of the Université de Moncton and step through a captivating time portal, reaching all the way back to 1604 when French settlers first stepped onto our shores.

A wide-ranging and interesting collection presents this overview of Acadian history – including the heartbreaking chapter of their deportation in 1755. Depicted through chronological exhibits, bilingual signs and screening of historical documentary films, visitors can learn more about Acadian domestic life, religion, education, politics, folklore, culture, arts and business.

Founded in 1886 by Father Camille Lefebvre, Holy Cross father and vicar general for the , it was Father Clément Cormier, one of the founders of the Université de Moncton, who guaranteed the survival of this little museum through his unwavering support. A true visionary, Cormier understood the importance of expanding this collection – and indeed during the 1940s, he personally began to gather artifacts for the Acadian Museum.

First located at the Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook, the museum has been in its present location since 1981 (the pavilion also houses the La Galerie d’art Louise-et-Reuben-Cohen). Home to more than 38,000 objects and photographs, the Acadian Museum has one of the largest collections in the world of Acadian artifacts. The permanent exhibit is titled “Acadian Adventure”and follows the in Atlantic by way of their material culture.

Artifacts, both historical and contemporary, continue to be donated to the

Acadian Museum, affectionately called the“Attic of .”

“People find artifacts in their attic either when they’re cleaning out the house or they’re selling the house or down-sizing for example, and they really hesitate to throw away these items. So they often end up at the museum,” said museum co- conservator Bernard Le-Blanc. “We’re like the collective attic of Acadia in that sense, and of course the museum is really a second memory bank of Acadian material culture. A museum

– and by extension history – plays an important role in that it helps us to see where we’ve come from, and it helps us to see where we’re going.”

When people have artifacts or pieces of furniture or documents that they value, before throwing them away or selling them, they will bring them to the museum, said LeBlanc.

“We still have the original register of the museum (1886 – Father Camille Lefebvre was the first donor), so it’s interesting to see what artifacts people were giving to the museum in those days and now.”

LeBlanc himself has a long history with the museum. It was during a visit there in 1970, while a Université de Moncton fine arts student, that he became aware of the need for artistic expertise in drawing artifacts on file cards for ease of reference in the storage area. LeBlanc offered his assistance and the two retired teachers on staff at the time were delighted that not only was there a student who was interested in the museum – but one who could draw.

So he took on the job of those artistic renderings and also acted as a part-time tour guide. Following graduation in 1979, LeBlanc joined the museum full time as a designer for the permanent exhibit of the new building, going on to become the director in the mid-1980s, a position he held for many years. Following administrative changes at the Université de Moncton in 2003, he now shares duties with fellow co-conservator Jeanne Mance Cormier.

Approximately 7,000 people tour the Acadian Museum every year, both Acadians and non-Acadians alike, but during the first Acadian Congress held in Moncton in 1994, that number swelled to a“spectacular”20,000 visitors from across the globe.

Those who discover this little gem in the heart of Moncton are thrilled with their find, such as Monique Levesque and Michel Dupont-Hébert from Boucher-ville, Que. They are dedicating the summer of 2015 to travelling throughout Atlantic

Canada, and a stop at the Acadian Museum was a must.

“Two generations of my ancestors, both on my father’s side and my mother’s side, were living in Acadia and were deported,” said Dupont-Hébert.“Jean- Baptiste Hébert and Gatien Hébert, one of his sons – all of his family were deported. And Dupuis, the Dupuis (family) were deported to Massachusetts and to Connecticut.”

Researching his Acadian roots, Dupont-Hébert’s first stop was the Centre for Acadian Studies (Centre d’Études Acadienne with genealogist Stephen A. White) just across the parking lot from the Acadian Museum.

“I find it highly interesting, and it gives me more motivation to dig into those roots and find out a bit more. (The museum is) wonderful. Very important. So much information. It gives you a feel for what happened then and what their life was like.”

His wife, Monique Levesque, agrees.

“This museum is very interesting. I think it’s very touching. Through the trip I’ve learned a lot about Acadia. I’m of French descent, but not Acadian. I’m from City originally. I think the more you learn about the history (of the

Acadians) the more you understand the need of peace and not going to war.”

Closer to home, retired elementary school teacher Murielle Caissie of Moncton made regular visits to the Acadian Museum with her students.

“I was a Grade 5 teacher, and for me as a French teacher, it was my way to let those kids be proud of who they are. The museum gives them part of their history and their culture. I was going there every year. It’s important for to learn more about French people, where they came from and why they want to keep their culture. We are richer when we speak different languages and learn about different cultures.”

The museum is an ongoing project, with new artifacts always welcome. Co- conservator Bernard LeBlanc points out that there are items that are still being sought to add to their collection – such as early fishing implements. However, a reality for many museums is the issue of enough space. The Acadian Museum is just 4,600 square feet, with a limited storage area which is currently “critically short of space.” That means that really large items must regretfully be turned away.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, there is also a gallery for temporary in- house and travelling exhibits. This fall, there will be a display dedicated to death and mourning in Acadia – mortuary-related pieces from the 1920s and 1930s from Acadian funeral homes in the area.

In honour of the close relationship enjoyed by the Acadians and the Mi’kmaq throughout their history, there are also First Nations artifacts on exhibit. The oldest is an arrowhead dating back about 8,000 years.

Evangeline, Longfellow’s tragic heroine, is also a prominent feature. Indeed the museum is home to the largest number of artifacts to be found in any collection.

The most historically important Acadian artifact at the museum, according to

LeBlanc, is the original Acadian flag which dates from 1884.

“Of course it is the national Acadian symbol,”he said.“And to have the original flag is quite remarkable.”

The Acadian Museum collection is both priceless and thought-provoking, and includes the original cornerstone (in Latin) of Sainte-Anne’s church, Beaubassin, 1723; actual wooden chests used during the 1755 deportation; a powder horn belonging to deportee Jacques LeBlanc, inscribed with a prayer to his father, François, (nicknamed La Petitcotie), 1761; and a First World War trench helmet worn by Ray Gallant.

There’s also the first cheque issued by Acadian Caisse Populaire, , 1950; gloves worn by boxing legend Yvon Durelle during his fight with , , 1958; and the only Oscar ever won by an Acadian, Paul LeBlanc of Dieppe. He was presented with this Acadamy Award in the makeup and hair category, for his work on the 1984 film

Amadeus.

Visitors can also see the original costume of ’s , and the rhythmic gymnastics ribbon used by Lise Gautreau of Moncton at the 1988

Summer Olympics in , South .

Every effort is made to stay current, and the museum’s mandate “time-wise” really has no limits – from the founding of Acadia to its present day importance. From Francophone Summit and World Acadian Congress posters and memorabilia, to souvenir pieces from current historical events in Acadia – the story continues.

National Acadian Day is celebrated throughout the province at such events as the two-week Festival acadien de Caraquet, one of the top Acadian cultural events of the year and one of the largest tourist attractions in . But here at the Acadian Museum of the Université de Moncton, everything

Acadian is celebrated year-round.

Jeanne d’Arc Gaudet, president of Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick (SANB), is enthusiastic in her praise of the Acadian Museum – especially in its capacity to help young people understand the eventful history of the Acadians. In addition to telling this valuable story, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to

“find out who we are” as a province, she said.

“It’s just a wealth of information. It is so important if you want to learn about our history, if you want to find out about who we all are as the people of . I love to go to a Scottish museum, I love to go to an Irish museum. It is so important that people know about each other. If we did know about each other, we would appreciate each other (more). The (Acadian Museum) should be known to everyone.”

To Bernard LeBlanc, serving the Acadian Museum of the Université de Moncton for 45 years now, the museum itself is much more than just a repository of

Acadian artifacts.

“We have physical pieces to illustrate and commemorate the evolution of the Acadians, and that’s one of the important roles of the Acadian Museum. I think it serves as a witness to Acadian perseverance, because first of all (despite all of) the obstacles that the Acadians faced throughout history, we are still here. In fact,” he said, “I don’t think Acadian society has ever been as vibrant as it is today.”

Linda Hersey is a freelance writer based in the Moncton area

1. A child’s wooden shoes.

2. The exterior of the Clément-Cormier building which houses the

Musée acadien as well as the university’s art gallery (Galerie

d’art Louise-et-Ruben-Cohen).

14. Antonine Maillet’s La Sagouine (costume).

All Photos, unless otherwise stAted, Courtesy of ACAdiAn museum/universitÉ de monCton

13. Acadian Museum co-conservator Bernard LeBlanc has been serving the

Acadian Museum of the

Université de Moncton for 45 years. Photo: AngÈle Cormier

12. «La Présentation de Jésus au Temple» is an original work painted by Louis de Boulogne le jeune in 1688; he was later named the King’s painter by Louis XV. To the right of the painting is a portable pulpit from the old church in Cocagne, which was made by a local parishioner around 1900.

11. The painting Expulsion of the Acadians by the artist George Craig, done in 1893 (it was displayed at the

Chicago World’s Fair in

1893).

9. The entrance to the museum.

10. The Evangeline

display at the University of Moncton’s Acadian Museum.

8. Contemporary Acadian his torical artifacts include the Academy Award (Oscar) won by Paul LeBlanc for his participation (make up and wig designer) in the 1984 film Amadeus; also shown is a wig worn by the film’s lead char

acter, Amadeus Mozart, played by Tom Hulce.

6. Evangeline engraving by the Scottish artist, James Faed, made from an original painting by his brother, Thomas Faed. The painting was made around

1850, shortly after the publication of Longfellow’s poem in 1847. This engraving is of the third edition, dating from 1863.

Faed’s version of Evangeline appears to have been the most popular depiction of the Acadian heroine

in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

. 7. Early fishing implements.

4. A look at the setup of an early Acadian

kitchen.

5. Textile-making tools.

3. Yvon Durelle’s boxing gloves.

Celebrating

to help celebrate national acadian day on aug. 15, the acadian Museum offers free admission that day – and a very special opportunity for young celebrants. “you can come in at one o’clock and make your noisemaker for the ,” says museum co-conservator Jeanne Mance cormier, adding that there will be facepainting available as well. Inspired by the infectious acadian joie de vivre, a tintamarre is a grand celebration held by acadians across atlantic canada. It’s a march en masse through the streets of a community – a festive noise-making event with improvised instruments (including pots and pans). It has become, since it began in the late 1970s, a much-loved and proud tribute to acadian heritage – a modern symbol of acadian identity. Pascal Poirier Park in Shediac is where this party gets underway at 6 p.m. on aug. 15.