Acadian Village

About the Artist

The Acadian Village was built by the Heritage Vivant, our Living Heritage Society of Van Buren.

The land on which it was built was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ayotte of Van Buren-Keegan, a local farmer.

The society relied on money raising projects, donations from private citizens, both in money and in labor, several small federal grants and the generosity of local governments and organizations for funds neccessary to complete the project. People from Van Buren, Hamlin, Cyr Plantation and Grand Isle have been and are involved in maintaining the Village. Four years of labor was furnished by CETA and ACAP workers.

The first building was moved onto the site in February of 1975 and the Village opened July 1, 1976. In time to be listed as one of the Top 55 Independant Day National Event for the bicentennial year. It was also name the State of Maine's "Best Bicentennial Project" and given a citation by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

The Acadian Village is registered in the National Register of Historic Places in Washington D.C. and has been recognized as a Historic National Landmark. It is one of the largest historical sites in Maine.