Le Vieux Village – French for the Old Village, this historical park and museum is a collection of buildings from Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, dating from 1700s to the early 20th century. The village includes one of the oldest Creole homes west of the Mississippi River and the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum.

Whiteville Historic Schoolhouse

built in the small community of Whiteville, just northeast of Opelousas. Featuring two rooms, it was common “in the early days” to have multiple grades taught in each room.

It was built at a time when mule-drawn carriages were used to transport students to school and lunch was typically eaten outside, picnic style, under a tree. A wood-burning stove provided warmth for students during the winter and parents often supplied the wood for the stove.

In the early days teachers were required to live in the community where they taught school and it was no exception for Ms. Jeanette Doucet, who was the last teacher for the schoolhouse. When she began teaching in 1927, paper, pencils and books for students were not free. A teacher’s salary was $85 per month and women were allowed to teach as long as they were single.

The school, an example of Greek Revival architecture, closed during the 1950s. It was donated by Cleveland McCauley of Whiteville and moved to Le Vieux Village in 1991, with the assistance of the Kiwanis Club of Opelousas.

Le Vieux Village

The Whiteville Schoolhouse was constructed in 1911. This schoolhouse building is one of only a few of its kind remaining in Louisiana and you can tour it at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana. You can also rent the schoolhouse for meetings and private events.

The park is a village featuring historic structures from Opelousas, such as a doctor’s office from the 1890’s and the Mary Jane Train Engine. Tours are available during the parks hours of operation. For more information about booking the Whiteville Schoolhouse, contact the Opelousas Tourism office.