The display of images , postcards and other memorabilia shows the depth of Evangeline’s spirit, as conceived by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

“The Spirit of Evangeline,” a traveling exhibit compiled and curated by Francoise Paradis, will have its official opening Friday, Feb. 17, at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston.

The exhibit is a compilation of images, memorabilia and other products that show the depth and breadth of Evangeline’s spirit, as conceived by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his epic poem and incarnated into the Acadian culture.

“Spirit of Evangeline” features images of more than 30 known artists and some unknown artists from various antique editions of “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, plus postcards, photographs, product labels and other items.

The spirit of Evangeline has prevailed as a guiding light for Acadians to come home. Evangeline brought hope, a sense of identity and purpose to the renaissance of the Acadian nation nearly a century after its demise. Her spirit continued to inspire Acadians young and old.

The exhibit, launched at Dyer Library in January 2005, includes a tribute to Longfellow, a tribute to Acadians, and a major tribute to Evangeline as she has been interpreted by various artists, sculptors and manufacturers of products and souvenirs since her creation 158 years ago.

On display will be sheet music, programs of dramatizations of the poem, antique volumes of Evangeline, novels of Acadian history, reference books on Acadian history, books about Evangeline, and even Evangeline comic books.

The exhibition opening Feb. 17 will include a discussion and slide presentation by the exhibit’s curator on the making of the 1929 classic film “Evangeline,” by Edwin Carewe. “Evangeline” is the best and most renowned film version of the classic story by Longfellow.

The opening will be at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will run through March 11.

The Franco-American Heritage Center is located on Cedar Street in the downtown, in the former St. Mary’s Church. For more information, go online to www.francoamericanheritage.org; or call 783-1585.