Stories, poems sought for 'Water/Ways' Smithsonian exhibit in Jeanerette

Written experiences related to water and how it has affected your life, the lives of your family members and your community are being sought by the Jeanerette Museum prior to its hosting of “Water/Ways,” a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street program.
The “Water/Ways” exhibit is a core component of the Smithsonian Think Water Initiative, which explores the relationship between people and water from both a scientific and cultural perspective to raise awareness of water as a critical life resource.
The Jeanerette Museum board of directors is collecting stories and poems detailing the culture and history of Bayou Teche, the city of Jeanerette and local life as it relates to water. Stories and poems must be submitted with the release form available online at www.jeanerettemuseum.com or requested by email from jeanerettemuseum@yahoo.com. The deadline for submission is Feb. 1, 2019.
There are many stories that can be written about your family’s experiences during the flood of 1927 or other floods and hurricanes or about life on our water ways such as a favorite fishing or recreation activity on Bayou Teche or Lake Fausse Point.
Stories about Jeanerette’s past, such as stories about the saw mills, riverboats, agriculture and boating industry or more are also sought. The public is invited to be creative in stories and poems, and think of unusual topics where water played a part in their life.
Stories and poems may be mailed with the release form to Smithsonian Project, P.O. Box 249, Jeanerette, LA 70544 or delivered to the museum at 500 E. Main St. For more information on this project call 337-380-9057.
The Jeanerette Water/Ways exhibit is also in collaboration with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities made possible through funding from the Walton Family Foundation, along with several national/state and local partnerships.
“We are pleased to have been chosen as a host site for this important exhibit,” said Gail Garcia, local project director. “Our community understands the importance of water and preserving a way of life that has made our area what it is today. From sawmills, to sugar cane fields and fishing, our community depends on the waterways of Bayou Teche and the Atchafalaya basin.”
“Water/Ways” explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning has long been affected by access to water and control of water resources.
Human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment.
Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Water/Ways” will serve as a place to begin conversations about water’s impact on American culture.
History talks, film viewings, and book discussions, oral history projects along with a variety of programs revolving around the theme of water have been developed for the Acadiana region community. The exhibit and related programing is being held free.