The Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Eunice celebrated its 15th anniversary Saturday with its National CFMA board present to conduct its monthly meeting. They were also among local, and area CFMA board members celebrating the Eunice music hall’s anniversary.

The purpose of the national board meeting was to discuss upcoming activities, programs, festivals, finances, etc. The national board of CFMA members include Ken Walker of New Iberia, president; Fay Taylor of Baton Rouge, vice president; Margaret Neil of Houma, secretary; Hannah Walker of New Iberia, treasurer; and Larry Miller of Iota, parliamentarian.

There are 11 chapters of the CFMA, from our local Acadiana Chapter in Eunice, to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Houma, Houston, San Antonio, Tex., New Iberia, Orange, Tex, Bridge City, Tex., and one associate chapter located in Chicago, Ill.

The local CFMA board members include Todd Ortego, Louis Pavur, Claudia Wood, Larry Miller, Eston Bellow and Milton Mier. Greg Brown of Eunice serves as the local Acadiana CFMA chapter president.

A reception of cake, coffee and punch was served during the meeting and anniversary celebration.

Irene Reed and Thelma LeJeune, both of Eunice, serve as hostesses for the Eunice music museum, where they greet and meet visitors, tourists and from time to time conduct a small tour.

The Eunice music museum was created to honor those individuals who contributed to Cajun cultural music, from past to present.

In 1995, the Louisiana Legislature proclaimed the city of Eunice the official site for Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum. According to Pavur, “The Cajun music, its museum and culture originated in Eunice. Many years ago, French-speaking people got together with others around the Eunice area, shared their roots, music, dancing and culture with each other, and thus began and formed chapters.”

Upon the official opening in November of 1997, 32 individuals were inducted and plans are to add two more per year. These inductees are submitted from all 11 chapters. Some of the cultural musicians on the “walls of fame” at the museum include: Dennis McGee, Joe Falcon, Aldus Roger, Nathan Abshire, Dewey Balfa, Floyd Soileau, D.L. Menard, Belton Richard, Allie Young, Houston LeJeune, Harry Lee LaFleur, Jim Olivier, Jimmy C. Newman, Wayne Toups, Terry Huval, Larry G. Miller.

The museum has on display artifacts and memorabilia related to Cajun Music and its culture.

The Museum is located at 240 S. C.C. Duson Street with free admission.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (summer hours) and 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (winter hours). For more information, call 457-6534 or www.cajunfrenchmusic.org