The Acadian Heritage and Cultural Museum seeks to preserve and promote the Cajun culture and heritage, which was wholly developed in North America almost 400 years ago. The Acadian Museum, located in Erath, Louisiana, is housed in one of the oldest buildings in the region, the "Old Bank of Erath." It is a repository of rare Cajun-related documents, artifacts, and memorabilia, which are showcased in its three rooms – the Erath Room, Acadian Room, and Cajun Room. The Erath Room exhibits the history of Erath township through its collection of photographs complete with ancient legends. Displayed items in the Acadian Room portray the Acadian history from 1603 to their dispersal in 1755. A handmade replica of “The Habitation at Port Royal,” the first settlement in North America, is the most noteworthy among the exhibits. The third room – the Cajun Room – reveals artifacts pertaining to the Cajun settlement on the prairies, marshes, and bayous of Vermilion Parish and beyond. For research scholars, the museum collections are available for reference and reading on prior appointment. The Acadian Museum also maintains an annex at Lake Peigneur. The building and the museum has been officially recognized to be of historical significance by the State of Louisiana.