The sentinel of the sea, the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse in Madisonville, has endured 171 years of erosion at the mouth of the river and awaits a much-needed facelift.

With the cooperation of Southeastern Louisiana University, the Lake Pontchartrain Maritime Museum and the town of Madisonville, that time has finally come.

Overshadowed by the mighty mast, museum Executive Director Jay Martin, SLU Biological Sciences instructor Michaelyn Lombard and head of the Cultural Resource Management Program Roy Blackwood announced their long-term intentions to restore the historic site back to its original setting at a cost of about $10 million.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

The plans call for a complete revitalization of the tiny sliver of land holding the 42-foot structure beginning with the installation of some much needed cypress trees. Lombard said the original terrain consisted mostly of native species of brush and trees that help anchor the receding coastline from the encroaching waves. But because of cypress logging, saltwater intrusion, evasive non-native flora and nutria predation, the hydrology of the area changed, preventing repopulation and leading to the death of several of the giant cypresses near the lighthouse.

With volunteers from the museum and SLU already introducing new cypresses to the coastline, Martin hopes this will hinder the erosion of the coast. To protect the newly planted trees, their trunks are encased in PVC piping.

Also on tap is a full restoration of the exterior and interior of the lighthouse. Martin said a complete paint job will be administered and some careful mortar application will be conducted on the interior bricks that are beginning to show themselves, all the while maintaining the original aesthetics of the structure.

The plan includes the rebuilding of the boardwalk to make it possible for boaters to reach the lighthouse without getting tangled in the underwater growth.

Martin also said he ultimately wants to install the 122-year-old keeper’s cottage that currently resides on the museum’s grounds back to its original location beside the lighthouse.

But his biggest aspiration is the possible construction of a mile-long boardwalk that would run through the marsh, giving individuals a way to the lighthouse on foot now that the only passage to the beacon by land has yielded to a huge swath of 4-foot deep water as a result of erosion.

“Eventually, I expect about 30,000 people visiting this area every year,” Martin said. “It will be one large outdoor classroom.”

Although the large completion sum may seem hefty for some, Martin said he doesn’t plan on this being a one-time cash payment.

He said most of the support would come from in-house donations and volunteer work.

So far, the museum has collected $50,000 from several grants that will be used to restore the lighthouse.

The light tower still functions today via solar power and provides sea-goers safe passage of the shallow waters of Lake Pontchartrain.