Acadian Archives / Archives acadiennes - UMFK

10/22/2026

We loved the response to our recent post about the historic potato houses of the St. John Valley!

Here are a few more. Do these structures seem familiar? Can you guess where they are/were located?

These photos are from MCC-00187, a survey of St. John Valley potato houses compiled by Don Cyr for the Maine Historic Preservation Commission in the 1990s.

10/21/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 30 individuals from all across the state—as far as York County—who are taking part in the Leadership Maine program. What a terrific group, and what a great opportunity to share the distinct history and heritage of our region! We heartily thank the organizers and the participants for their engagement.

10/19/2026

La semaine prochaine! Next week!

FORT KENT, Maine — The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its second annual Poutine Fest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 in the Nowland

10/17/2026

Fort Kent's blockhouse is the only such structure built during the Aroostook War that is still standing!

A neat feature from the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission:

A nearly forgotten border dispute between Maine and Canada left behind one remarkable survivor. Built around 1839, the Fort Kent Blockhouse stands where the Fish and St. John Rivers meet, a reminder of the tense boundary dispute between Maine and New Brunswick known as the Aroostook War.

Constructed from hand-hewn cedar logs, the two-story blockhouse was part of a larger military post that included barracks and officers’ quarters. Despite the tensions, the fort never saw military action, and the dispute was ultimately settled by the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which established the international boundary.

Today, the blockhouse is the only surviving Maine blockhouse associated with the Aroostook War. Preserved as a state historic site, it is also a National Historic Landmark and is open to visitors seasonally.

Selected as one of the 250 Maine Icons of the Maine Atlas 250 project, Fort Kent Blockhouse preserves an unusual chapter in the history of Maine’s northern frontier. Learn more at:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/maineatlas/explore-the-atlas/fort-kent-blockhouse

10/12/2026

The Acadian Archives will be closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We look forward to welcoming you and answering your queries tomorrow.

Les Archives acadiennes seront fermées aujourd'hui en raison de la Journée des peuples autochtones. Nous serons heureux de vous accueillir et de répondre à vos requêtes demain.

Truth - Healing - Change

10/09/2026

Glimpses of family reunions past: Sirois/Duplessis and Lavertu, 1991.

Source: Maine Acadian Culture Survey Collection (MCC-00006)

10/06/2026

In Aroostook County, harvest is synonymous with potatoes.

For the occasion, we're rolling out collection MCC-00187, a survey of St. John Valley potato houses compiled by Don Cyr for the Maine Historic Preservation Commission in the 1990s.

Do these structures seem familiar? Can you guess where they are/were located?

10/01/2026

The Acadian Archives will be closed from noon to 4:30 p.m. today and all day tomorrow (October 2). Our team will be away for a professional development opportunity.

We look forward to assisting you next week. Until then, you can e-mail us at .

* * *

Les Archives acadiennes seront fermées de midi à 16h30 aujourd'hui et pour l’ensemble de la journée demain (le 2 octobre). L’équipe sera ailleurs pour une activité de développement professionnel.

Nous serons de retour pour vous aider la semaine prochaine. Entre temps, vous pouvez nous rejoindre à .