Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today, we are celebrating francophone month!

International Francophonie Day was established in 1988. The date is significant because it also celebrates the establishment of the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, which was the precursor to the International Organization of La Francophonie. While March is designated as francophone month, March 20 is the day many organizations celebrate International Francophonie Day.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today, in honor of black history month, we are highlighting some African American newspapers available on microfilm.

In the years leading up to the Civil War, there were several African American focused newspapers that popped up in the North. In the years following the Civil War, there was a surge in these newspapers. Here in Special Collections, a microfilm collection is dedicated to these papers.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are celebrating Black History Month and Mardi Gras with a look at a history of the black Mardi Gras Indians.

The Mardi Gras Indians are black carnival revelers in Louisiana who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial wear. These suits can weigh upwards of 100 pounds and are composed of beads, feathers, and sequins. The beadwork is done entirely by hand and some of these elaborate suits are displayed in museums around the country.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are going to look at the former seat of Spanish government in Louisiana, the Cabildo.

The original Cabildo was destroyed by a fire, but the current Cabildo was rebuilt between 1795-1799. The main hall, the “Sala Capitular” was used as a courtroom by the Spanish government then by the Louisiana territorial superior court.

From 1868-1910 it was the home of the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Sala Capitular was the site of several landmark court cases, including Plessy v. Ferguson.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week, we are looking at two collections that have some pretty cool items. Collections 111 and 111a are the City of Lafayette Collections.

Collection 111 contains records of ordinances, materials from the Chamber of Commerce, Bicentennial Celebration, and festival, maps of Lafayette and videotapes. The videotapes were nostalgia gatherings put together by the by the Lafayette Centennial Commission. All of the videotapes date from 1983-1984.

Pages

Subscribe to students