Rayne Historic Preservation Commission

09/06/2026

Entities partner to kick off
City of Rayne, mural tours

RAYNE - This weekend, the Beautification Board and Maison Daboval, in partnership with the City of Rayne, are kicking off the City of Rayne and Mural Tours. Specially designed tour maps are available at local businesses around Acadia Parish and tourist offices just in time for Labor Day! The sponsors would like to thank the street department, the local artists, Lisa Soileaux, and everyone who helped make this project a reality.
The City of Rayne Tour highlights what makes our city unique; the brochure features business frog statues as part of a “search game,” with prizes for the winners. The Mural Tour takes you on a journey throughout the city to enjoy our open-air art gallery, which features murals from local artists and world-renowned artist Robert Dafford.
Additionally, the Beautification Board would like to remind businesses with a famous concrete frog statue to please get their frog camera-ready by repainting, updating, or adding a clear coat to add a little shine to your statue. Time to Spruce Up!
The frog statues are a fan favorite for Rayne visitors and tourists as locals see pictures taken on a daily basis of the “froggy additions in the city.”
Plans have also been completed for a brochure filled with all the frog statues as part of a “search game” with prizes awaiting the winners. So, get those “hoppy” friends in tip-top shape!

09/06/2026

Project co-chairman Daniel Simoneaux, left, is joined by city employees Jaylen Carrier and Nathaniel Fontenot as the new, specially designed Rayne Historic District street signs are beginning to be installed at all street corners included within the Rayne Historic District. Home and property owners who received letters welcoming them to the Rayne Historic District are reminded to order their home plaque and yard signs if interested.

08/28/2026

Among those in attendance for the installation of an updated historic plaque in honor of Jacques Weil Company (frog entrepreneur) as part of the city’s historic plaque project were, from left, David Begnaud, Fran Bihm, Lisa Soileaux, Cheryl Broussard Perret, Maddie Beese, Suzette Leonards, Alice Begnaud, Ann Palmer, Eddie Palmer, Denise Underwood and Jerry Underwood.
The morning ceremony was held at the corner of East Texas Avenue and South Polk Street, co-hosted by the City of Rayne and the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission.
The historic marker that has stood at this location honoring frog entrepreneur Jacques Weil Company was recently updated, one of several historical marker restorations currently underway as part of the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission’s ongoing preservation initiative.
The renovation was provided by Cheryl Broussard Perret, David and Alice Begnaud of Scenic Lafayette, who are presently working on a new “Rayne Depot” historic marker since the original marker was damaged beyond repair.
The Commission is working to restore and preserve the community’s historic markers, ensuring that the stories and heritage they commemorate remain accessible and meaningful for future generations.

08/23/2026

In attendance to unveil the city’s newest historic plaque located at City Hall in observance of Rayne holding the most snowfall in the entire state within a 24-hour time frame (24 inches in February of 1895) were Maddie Besse, Fran Bihm, Jerry and Denise Underwood, Suzette Leonards, Lisa Soileaux, Ann and Eddie Palmer. The the unveiling was held Tuesday, Aug. 11, by the City of Rayne, the Rayne Historic Preservation Committee and volunteers.

08/17/2026

Stutes added among
Rayne music honorees

RAYNE - Another Rayne musician was added to the music room at the Bernard-Bertrand House/Rayne Cultural Center on Friday, July 31.
Welcomed by the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission, Milton Stutes was added to the growing list of musicians of Rayne.
The theater room of the Bernard-Bertrand House was filled with family members and friends for the official announcement and when the musician’s life’s journey with music was told.
He was presented a special bio to be added to a special display in the music room of the Bernard-Bertrand House in his honor.
Stutes also participated in a question and answer session, at which time he shared stories of his musical adventures, in addition to taking requests of both singing favorite songs and making his harmonica “sing”.
Stutes is an Acadiana/Cajun accordionist, vocalist, and better known for his harmonica skills.
Stutes was born in Rayne in 1941, and began his musical career as a child when he hand-made crude harmonica out of a comb and cigarette paper. He later received his first harmonica at age eight when his mother purchased one for only 50 cents at a local 5 & 10 Store -- that is when he began honing his craft on songs such as “Get Along Home, Cindy” and “I Wish I Was an Apple Hanging on a Tree.”
He began playing the accordion 1976, later in life when an accident damaged his hands. He is known locally for his accordion skills and helping many young musicians fine tune their talents. He played for the first three years when the Quarterpole Show opened near Rayne, playing every other weekend on a rotating basis with Zydecajun musician/singer Wayne Toups.
He also hosted a “Jam Session” for four years at the American Legion Home in Rayne, provided entertainment at the Scott Bingo House for years, and also joined the band during a couple of cruises he and his wife attended playing Cajun and Blues tunes with the house band.
Where he made his mark with his harmonica was in Hermann, Missouri, where he played for years with guitarist Jim Gaspard (The Cajun Twosome). Fans described Stutes as a musician who could “make the harmonica talk Cajun French” when he entertained folks at the Stone Hill Winery during the annual “Cajun Concert on the Hill.”
The popular performer of both French and English tunes was also highlighted with a picture and story of his talents in the St. Louis “Folk Fire” magazine.
Stutes also wrote a song for his wife of 67 years, Mary, entitled, “A Walking Piece Of Heaven,” one that tugs at your heart.
Visitors can hear this and other songs, and also watch performances by Stutes on YouTube at Milton Stutes Library.
Workd is continuing to highlight Rayne musicians by the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission, with more to come.

08/17/2026

The Rayne Historic Preservation Commission lent their assistance in volunteering during the 2026 Zydeco Bingo Freedom Fest on Thursday, July 2, at the Rayne Civic Center for seniors ages 65+ by New Day Personal Care Services and the City of Rayne. The packed house of seniors and volunteers enjoyed live music by Gerard Delafosse and the Zydeco Gators, numerous prizes, delicious food and numerous vendors on hand.
Bingo games were enjoyed, “interrupted” by live Zydeco tunes by the live band of Gerard Delafosse and the Zydeco Gators for dancing if desired.

08/08/2026

Attend and witness history!!!

08/03/2026

Listen to news and info of the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission during a live interview taped last week at KRVS Radio on the UL Lafayette campus.

Dr. Denise Underwood & Lisa Soileau with the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission are here to tell us what they do for the community as volunteers appointed by the mayor. Listen in to learn more about how you can preserve local history!

08/02/2026

Antiques on the Avenue was recently presented a specially designed brass historic plaque that is available for purchased by owners/operators of commercial and residential structures included in the Rayne Historic District. Making the presentation was Fran Bihm of the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission.

07/28/2026

The Pouppeville historic marker, the first of Rayne historic markers established in the 1980s, received an update, one of several historical marker restorations currently underway as part of the Rayne Historic Preservation Commission’s ongoing preservation project. On hand for the unveiling were, from left, Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux, Cheryl Broussard Perret of Scenic Lafayette, Commission members Lisa Soileaux and Denise Underwood, and David and Alice Begnaud of Scenic Lafayette with the after marker, compared to the before picture. Things are getting done!!!