Roger d’Entremont turned his passion for heritage into a career at an unusual time in his life, his retirement! After 30 years’ service with the telephone company, Roger tried his hand at lobster fishing for a short time but his passion for things Acadian pulled him back to shore.
In March 2007, Roger became Executive Director of le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Ecosse in West Pubnico. Now Roger plays an active role in all aspects of the site’s operations, including finance and marketing and worksclosely with a head guide and an interpretive director, who look after programming and activities.
“No two days are alike at le Village,” says Roger. Activities can range from preparing a funding application to working on projects and new events. Right now, Roger’s focus is to further develop the interpretation of the fascinating story of the Acadians for visitors.
Le Village is an important cultural centre for the community, a place to celebrate Acadian heritage and strengthen the community, says Roger. Building new relationships and revitalizing past partnerships are an important part of his work.
Roger is pleased with the progress he’s made, and he says there seems to be a greater awareness of the contributions made by le Village to the community. That, he says, has led to increased numbers of visitors in recent years. Many community members are visiting le Village for the first time, and returning again and again.
Roger sees himself in the history presented at le Village. Like many of the Acadians deported to Massachusetts from Pubnico in 1756 and 1758, Roger’s family returned to the area in 1767.
Before leaving, Roger’s ancestors hid their valuables on the site that is now le Village, with the hope of retrieving them someday.
When the family returned to Nova Scotia, they came back to a different world. They were forced to settle on undeveloped land, but Benoni d’Entremont was able to retrieve the silverware and personal items that had been secreted away.
A descendant of the d’Entremonts still lives in the house built by Benoni after the family’s return. This descendent recently showed Roger some of the objects preserved by the family, as well as a walking cane that belonged to Jacques d’Entremont, Benoni’s father, who died in exile. These authentic Acadian artifacts represent a powerful and direct connection to the story Roger tells everyday at le Village.
“I am able to live my heritage and be paid to do something I love,” says Roger.