An archeological and historical exhibit depicting the origins of one of Louisiana’s many unique cultures was unveiled at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and NW Louisiana History Museum Friday, November 22. Creole Origins: Cane River Diaspora 1770-1830 tells the story of the African Diaspora into our region and its culture and how it influenced life up to the present day.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is the archeological excavation of the Pierre Metoyer Plantation. While nothing remains of the plantation’s buildings, archeologists were able to locate several buildings’ foundations using ground penetrating radar. From there, they were able to ascertain building materials and methods and reconstruct what the plantation would have looked like around 1790. Some of the buildings showed evidence of African building materials and methods such as rammed earthen walls still found in parts of Africa today. Jason Church of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) and intern and NSU CAPA major Oliver Turner cleaned and preserved artifacts and built 3-D printed models to place fragments in context. Paige Brevick, a Minnesota native completing her doctorate at the University of Central London, assisted Dr. MacDonald.
One interesting bit of trivia about the project is that it is the only archeological dig on the North American Continent originally funded by a British University. Dr. Kevin MacDonald of the University of Central London found himself unable to continue his academic career studying African civilizations due to contracting malaria. His search for a way to continue his academic work led him to the Cane River area with its rich Creole history. Along the way, he collaborated with the National Park Service and its National Center for Preservation Technology and Training as well as the Cane River National Heritage Area and NSU’s Cammie Henry Research Center . The result is an exhibition that is a wonderful synergy of archeology, history and present-day Creole culture.
The Creole Origins: Cane River Diaspora 1770-1830 exhibition will be at the LSHoF and NW Louisiana History Museum through March of 2026.
