Wooden boat museum progress sails forward | DailyComet.com

Wooden boat museum progress sails forward

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Joseph T. Butler (left), founder of The Center for Traditional Louisiana Boatbuilding, and Rene Leonard, chairman of the center, look over a hoop net Tuesday afternoon at the center in Lockport.

By Nate Monroe
Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.

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LOCKPORT — In the age of fiberglass hulls and outboard motors, of flashy paint and electronic depth-finders, remnants of Louisiana's wooden boat-building tradition remain showcased in a nearly century-old building.

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The Center for Traditional Louisiana Boatbuilding, moved piecemeal from Nicholls State University to downtown Lockport since 2007, has increased its collection since the move. But it's still waiting for more interior work on the building and seeking more key artifacts before fully opening the museum to the public.

The museum houses traditional wooden boat designs from a simple marsh pirogue up to the larger Lafitte skiff.

Tom Butler, the center's director who began the boat collection in 1979, energetically points to one of his favorite pieces in the collection — a “dugout,” a Native American wooden canoe likely built more than 300 years ago from a tree that dates back between 1438 and 1662.

For Butler, the museum is part of a fight to “keep the tradition alive.”

The building, built in 1917, once showcased Ford vehicles in the same glass-encased front room that houses the boat replicas today. A Creole rowing skiff, one of Butler's gems in the front showroom, was also on display at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans.

“By its very nature and name — Louisiana traditional boat building — it's bringing back to the public eye the methods used in the old days,” said Lockport Mayor Richard Champagne.

Champagne saw the potential for the museum to bring cultural vibrancy and economic development opportunities to Lockport, and he has taken an active role in seeing through the museum's opening. It is not a coincidence the boat museum is across the street from the Bayou Lafourche Folklife and Heritage Museum, the mayor said, stressing that the city's boat-centric history makes it a good fit for such attractions.

Champagne said he was pleased with several inquiries he has received from residents interested in seeing getting it started.

But the museum is about more than just giving the public a glimpse into the past.

“We have the plans and ability to teach anyone who is interested how to build the boats they see here,” said Rene Leonard, the center's chairman.

The center is also seeking volunteers and donations of various items to pair with the wooden boats, including a handmade push pole, paper shotgun shells, muskrat skin boards and handmade duck-calls.

Those interested in volunteering, taking boat-making classes, scheduling a tour or making a donation should call 446-8440.

Staff Writer Nate Monroe can be reached at 448-7639.

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