Cajun and Creole Music Collection
About the Collection
The Cajun and Creole Music Collection (CCMC) consists of over 11,000 commercially published or studio produced recordings, selected non-commercial and unpublished recordings, plus other music-related archival materials. The repository includes the music of Cajuns and Creoles of Louisiana's "Acadiana" and "Creole Country" (Southwest and parts of Southeast Louisiana) and presents the history, influences, and development of the region's diverse musical cultures and genres. In addition to the recorded works, other biographical and historical information and resources about Creole and Cajun musicians are included in the CCMC.
Commercial recordings, published since 1928, cover the changes and evolution in the musical cultures from artist to artist, performance to performance, and instrument to instrument. They also reveal the influences of the musical cultures on each other and influences from regional cultures and society at large. Formats include both analog and digital media: 78rpm, 45rpm, and LP (33 ⅓ rpm) records, 8-track tapes, audio cassette tapes, CDs, VHS tapes, and DVDs.
The CCMC also contains books, periodicals, manuscripts, photographs, posters, musical instruments, recording studio artifacts, and other archival materials and formats.
Research
The Cajun and Creole Music Collection is open and accessible to the public for listening, viewing, and research. Audiovisual stations and playback equipment are available. Dupré Library encourages the use of the collection and offers research and reference assistance and consultations, instructional sessions, and tours. Contact us to schedule a visit or consultation. Although most materials in the collection are available for use only within the CCMC, some items such as books and DVDs are available for check-out or borrowing from the Library.
- Search the Library Catalog
- Browse the CCMC Commercial Recordings Inventory Database
- Search Archival Collections and Finding Aids using ArchivesSpace (Includes Recordings)
- Search Scholars Hub @ UL Lafayette repository (Includes Archival Recordings)
Cajun and Creole Music Collection Brochure (PDF)
Use and Policies
Donate and Participate
Some of the rarest recordings in the Cajun and Creole Music Collection were acquired through donations and gifts from individuals, families, and organizations. CCMC collects commercial and studio produced recordings in all formats: 78 rpm records, vinyl (33 ⅓ rpm and 45 rpm) records, audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc. Donations of music-related career and personal papers of artists, business records, music label/company materials, photographs, instruments, artifacts, and other musical career memorabilia are especially welcome. The Cajun and Creole Music Collection also accepts monetary donations to be used to purchase items for the collection.
Join us in our efforts to continue collecting, preserving, and providing access to the unique special collections representing our local musical cultures, their history, and their future. For more information about donating to the collection, please contact us.
Nathan Abshire's Belt and Jewelry
Hours
Monday – Thursday | 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday | 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday | CLOSED
Note: Closed during major holidays. View Closures.
Contact Us
Call: (337) 482-1174
Visit: Room 386
Email: ccmc@louisiana.edu
Sandy Himel | Professor and Head of Cajun and Creole Music Collection
(337) 482-1174 | sandra.himel@louisiana.edu
Mailing Address
Cajun and Creole Music Collection - Special Collections
Edith Garland Dupré Library
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
400 E. St. Mary Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70503