A beacon of hope, stability, safety and strength, the Tchefuncte Lighthouse at the convergence of the Tchefuncte River and Lake Pontchartrain is not simply a piece of architecture from a bygone day. In fact, it is a working beacon for boaters entering the lake and/or the river.

Dr. Jay Martin, executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and Research Center in Madisonville, said that ownership of the lighthouse passed to the museum in 2000.

As part of their mission, the museum is dedicated to maintaining the lighthouse in working order for those boating at night or in inclement weather. Although the structure in Madisonville has withstood numerous storms, Civil War battles and more, the lighthouse is being refurbished and the museum hopes to complete plans so the public can have access to the lighthouse and tour the facility. Martin said the structure, built in 1837, has the same foundation and some of the same materials used in the original building. Surrounding the lighthouse is marshland, crucial as a buffer to storms and flooding. Its ecosystem is fragile and is in need of protection, said Martin. He said that studies show that every mile of marsh and wetlands reduces flooding by a foot. The erosion at the lakefront has become severe and the result is more flooding in the town of Madisonville.

Although growth and development have reduced southern Louisiana’s wetlands in addition to erosion, the museum is trying to maintain and strengthen the Tchefuncte marsh. While society likes to reclaim marshland and build condos, the museum wants to preserve the historic views, as it exists to provide a natural barrier and historic record. Martin said that restoration tours of the lighthouse would hopefully begin in 2010.

Saturday a fundraiser to help with both projects will be held at the Joel Champagne Car Collection at the Champagne Beverage Company facility at 1 Bud Place in Madisonville. Tickets are still available at $250 each and the rarely seen collection of 85 vintage cars dating from 1907-1977 will truly be a “drive for the lighthouse.” For ticket information or donations, call the museum at 985-845-9200.

Joel Champagne, owner of the car collection, said the lighthouse and the marsh are important to regional and local history. “I can’t imagine a more worthwhile cause to support,” Champagne said.

Proceeds of the event will directly benefit the lighthouse and the surrounding marshland, including funding of archaeological investigation of the historic lighthouse site in cooperation with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of New Orleans.