Maine Acadian Culture Custom Search Maine Acadians share beliefs and experiences tying them to a river, the land, their families, and to their common religion, languages, and history. The land borders the St. John River, flowing between the United States and Canada, and extends away from the river to the 'back settlements.' Here people speak Valley French, a mixture that includes old French, Quebecois, and English terms — sometimes mixed within a sentence. Maine Acadians' French ancestors settled during the 1600s in what is now the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, and Maine. Both France and England claimed this territory. In 1755 the English government deported thousands of French neutrals from present-day Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, then known as Acadia. Spurred by the Acadians' refusal to strengthen their pledge of allegiance to the British Crown, the authorities shipped most of them to British colonies. Some fled to Quebec. Others, today's Cajuns, sought a new start in Louisiana. The majority maintained their Acadian identity. During the 1780s Acadians settled Malecite homelands in the Saint John Valley, and here they were joined by settlers from the St. Lawrence River valley. The National Park Service aids local efforts at cultural conservation in the Saint John Valley via the Maine Acadian Heritage Council, an association of historical societies, cultural clubs, towns, and museums that work together to perpetuate Maine Acadian culture.     CONTACTS Email - Acadia_Information@nps.gov Write to Maine Acadian Heritage Council 344 East Main Street Madawaska, ME 04756 - or - % Acadia National Park P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Phone Visitor Information - (207) 728-6826 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Many sites are open only during summer months. Check locally for visiting hours or the times of scheduled events. Getting There PLANE - There are airports with air service at Presque Isle, Maine; Frenchville, Maine; or St. Leonard, New Brunswick, Canada. CAR - The Saint John Valley is located in northern Aroostook County, Maine, 200 miles north of Bangor at the northern terminus of U.S. Route 1 and is best reached by private vehicle. From Interstate 95, use exits at Sherman or Smyrna Mills for Route 11 to Fort Kent, or the exit at Houlton for U.S. Route 1 North. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Bus service is available to Caribou, Maine. Weather & Climate Halfway between the equator and the pole, the site has short cool summers and long cold winters. In summer the temperature is often in the 70s and 80s but can drop into the 50s. In winter snow arrives before Christmas and stays on the ground until April. The temperature is often below zero and can drop to -30? or -45? Fahrenheit.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Maine Acadian Culture.   Campgrounds Near Maine Acadian Culture: Barcadia Campground, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Hadley's Point Campground, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Spruce Valley Campground, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Bar Harbor Campground, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Somes Sound View Campground, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort, Bar Harbor, 0 miles away Blackwoods Campground, Hancock County, 4 miles away   Marinas Near Maine Acadian Culture: Great Harbor Marina, Southwest Harbor , 10 miles away Abel Henry R & CO Yacht Yard, West Tremont , 14 miles away   Hotels Near Maine Acadian Culture: Bar Harbor Manor, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Mira Monte Inn and Suites, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Anchorage Motel, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Quality Inn Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Acadia Hotel, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Primrose Inn-Historic Bar Harb, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away Bar Harbor Inn, Bar Harbor , 0 miles away   Trails Near Maine Acadian Culture: Bar Island Trail, Hancock County , 0 miles away Jessup Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Kebo Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Strath Eden Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Hemlock Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away   Beaches Near Maine Acadian Culture: Sand Beach, Hancock County , 4 miles away Hunters Beach, Hancock County , 5 miles away Marlboro Beach, Hancock County , 6 miles away Lamoine Beach, Hancock County , 6 miles away Gilley Beach, Hancock County , 7 miles away   Ski Areas Near Maine Acadian Culture: New Hermon Mountain, Maine , 53 miles away, 360 foot drop, 3 lifts, 21 runs Camden, Maine , 64 miles away, 1150 foot drop, 3 lifts, 11 runs Eaton Mountain, Maine , 99 miles away, 525 foot drop, 2 lifts, 15 runs   Whitewater Near Maine Acadian Culture: Union River, Hancock County , 19 miles away, Class I-II - 0.5 miles long (Ellsworth Falls to Ellsworth) Narraguagus River - West Branch, Hancock Washington County , 22 miles away, Class II-III - 14 miles long (Denbow Peat Mine to Sprague Falls 1) Narraguagus River, Washington County , 22 miles away, Class I-V - 17.3 miles long (Deblois to Cherryfield) Branch Lake Stream, Hancock County , 22 miles away, Class III-V - 4 miles long (Branch Lake to Infant Street in Ellsworth) Union River - East Branch, Hancock County , 23 miles away, Class I-II - 19.4 miles long (Steep Landing to West Branch)   Public Lands Near Maine Acadian Culture: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor - ME , 0 miles away Lamoine State Park, Maine , 7 miles away   Golf Courses Near Maine Acadian Culture: Grindstone Neck Golf Course, Winter Harbor , 10 miles away Bar Harbor Golf Course, Trenton , 12 miles away White Birches Motel & Golf Course, Ellsworth , 17 miles away   Lakes Near Maine Acadian Culture Jones Pond, Hancock County , 9 miles away Morancy Pond, Hancock County , 9 miles away