Jane Vidrine and Jean Kiesel, who work in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Dupré Library, have become sought-after speakers since the publication of their book, “Evangeline Parish.”
The collection of historic photographs of people, places and events from the history of Evangeline Parish, was released May 26 by Arcadia Publishing. It's part of the Images of America series.
The authors have held several book signings in Ville Platte, the parish seat, and have more appearances scheduled, including the Smoked Meat Festival, June 27–28, and the Creole Families' Bastille Day Mass and Heritage Festival on July 12. They also plan to attend the Mamou Cajun Music Festival, which will be held Sept. 6–7.
Vidrine, a library specialist, is a native of Belaire Cove, an Evangeline Parish community, where her family has lived for generations. Kiesel is a librarian and historian who previously authored “Lafayette” in the Images of America series. Both have worked more than 25 years in the Special Collections Department of UL Lafayette’s Edith Garland Dupré Library.
While gathering information for the book, the authors also expanded the University's collection of images. Because books in the Images of America series follow a standardized format of 128 pages, each contains about 200 photographs.
The women collected about 300 images for the project. They asked individuals for permission to reproduce original images and to house a digital copy in the University's library.
"We had a lot of fun putting the book together," said Kiesel in a recent interview.
She also praised Vidrine's extensive fieldwork for the project.
"Last summer, Jane spent all her free time going all over the parish, talking to people and getting copies of pictures and information about the pictures, so we would know how they fit into the history," said Kiesel.
Vidrine said they are reaping the reward of an enthusiastic audience.
"The community is so excited. I think they are just as excited as we are about this book."
Vidrine, who still lives in Belaire Cove, said the book is literally driving business to her front door. “I've had people come by my house and ask to buy a book. And that's fine by me."