About Us

“Bringing Louisiana’s Maritime History to Life,” is the driving mission of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. Located on the banks of the scenic Tchefuncte River in Madisonville, the LPB Maritime Museum takes you on a historic journey through maritime Louisiana. The museum brings Louisiana’s maritime history to life through unique interpretive programs, exhibits, and publications. These programs include the time honored craft of boat building, hands-on field trips, constructing underwater robots, restoration of the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse, and other exciting educational opportunities for people of all ages. Don’t forget to visit in October during the Wooden Boat Festival, the premier annual event on the Tchefuncte River featuring over 100 wooden and classic boats! From canoes to pirogues, from bateaux to steamboats, Louisiana’s unique maritime history and culture has it all. Native Americans, European explorers, and early settlers depended upon Louisiana’s extensive bayous, rivers, and lakes as the pathways of survival, linking the interior with the sea. These waterways represented the connections among people, the connections of life.We welcome you to participate in the variety of unique programs and activities offered, created to highlight what makes Louisiana’s maritime family great! We also offer our facility and beautiful dock on the Tchefuncte River for your next event. Start your discovery of the history and culture of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin with us!