Here in Lafayette the Cajuns lived on the Bayou Vermilion and maintained their distinct ways.  Vermilionville has both original (1790) and reconstructed buildings showing life in the 19th century in what is now Lafayette.  Workers are dressed in period costumes and give demonstrations of the work that was done here a century ago.  A wood carver was carving ducks from trees that are now extinct.  Around the turn of the last century the lumber boom resulted in the harvesting of all of a variety of cypress trees, but their stumps survive in the swamps.  So, they are allowed to go in and harvest this unique wood to use for their carvings.  Cajun musicians played folk music and some folks danced to it.  Something else you don't run in to very often in the United States were guides who gave their tours in another language.  My French is pretty rusty, but it didn't sound like they left anything out.