Bernard to discuss history of Bayou Teche at the Jeanerette Museum

The Jeanerette Museum will present the history talk, Bayou Teche History and Heritage, at 6 p.m. Jan. 25. Historian Shane Bernard will lead the talk based on his book, “Teche: A History of Louisiana’s Most Famous Bayou.”
Bernard will discuss Bayou Teche, the legendary waterway of south Louisiana, according to the Jeanerette Museum’s news release. He will discuss its geologic formation as a vestige of the Mississippi and Red rivers, its prehistoric Native American occupation, and its colonial settlement by French, Spanish and eventually Anglo-American pioneers.
From the coming of indigo, cotton and sugar; steam-powered sugar mills and riverboats; to the impact of the Civil War on the Teche, Bernard gives insight into several events that took place along the banks of Bayou Teche.
He will discuss epic floods, disease, violence and the widespread poverty that disrupted the lives of those who resided near the waterway. His insight into the slow decline of the bayou will show how the coming of the railroad, automobiles and highways reduced its value as a means of travel.
Finally, he discusses modern efforts to redesign the Teche using dams, locks, levees and other water-control measures while he examines the recent push to clean and revitalize the bayou after years of desecration by litter, pollutants and invasive species.
Bernard will also pull from his personal experience canoeing down the length of this waterway as he tells of people who still live along its banks.
A book signing will follow his presentation.
Bernard is historian and curator to McIlhenny Company and to its sister company, Avery Island Inc. Bernard holds a Ph.D. in history from Texas A&M University, and degrees in English and history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
He is the author of five books and has discussed south Louisiana history and culture through numerous media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, the History Channel, BBC and National Geographic.
This free program will be held at the museum located at 500 E. Main St. and is suitable for an adult audience. Seating may be limited and taken on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information visit www.jeanerettemuseum.com, email jeanerettemuseum@yahoo.com or call the museum at 337-276-4408 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.