Eunice's Prairie Acadian Center reopens after 5-year hiatus for Mardi Gras

EUNICE, La. (KLFY)-- The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center reopened after being closed for 5 years.

The cultural center tells the Acadian's story through exhibits, programs, demonstrations and events.

Chief Park Ranger Tony Garner said they are happy to be operating just in time for the thousands of tourists for Mardi Gras.

"We're here for a fun time," Chief Park Ranger Garner said. "We're here to provide the education, the culture and exposure to the area, to the general public. So, we're just really excited to be back and doing that."

Chief Park Ranger Garner said the HVAC system failed in 2019, then while the National Park was working to obtain funds to repair it, the COVID-19 pandemic put repairs to a halt. The HVAC work was completed in February 2023 after a delay from parts being unavailable due to the COVID supply shortages.

At the same time, a separate roofing contract started in August 2020. Hurricane Ida hit in September 2021, prolonging the roof repairs. Construction began in April 2024 and ended in October 2024.

"The artifacts were not damaged," Chief Park Ranger Garner said. "It was just mostly the interior surfaces of the building....so that was the big cleanup..."

The Park also replaced and repaired drywall and ceilings, repaired damages from the leaking roof, cleaned carpets, replaced electrical and cleaned museum exhibits.

Many enjoyed the reopening before thousands of tourists head to Eunice for Mardi Gras.

Joe Reed was one of those people. He grew up in between Eunice and Mamou, proud to show his wife, who grew up in Hawaii and Washington State, all about his heritage.

"I'm proud of where I come from," Reed said. "I'm proud where I grew up at and proud that I was able to grow up in the country on the farm. I just like to share that with her."

He shared a story from high school, when his chemistry teacher tasked his class with making alcohol as their homework. Reed showed us a pot in the exhibit that was similar to the pot he and his dad made moonshine in for his chemistry assignment.

Reed said it felt good to be able to share more of his story with his wife now that the cultural center is back open to add to his story.

"It feels good because my wife, even after 51 years, gets to know who I am a little bit more, maybe understand me a little bit more," Reed said.