By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

PONCHATOULA- A glimpse into the lives and past of Lake Pontchartrain’s waterside residents is what you will find at a new museum that opened February 4, 2007 in Ponchatoula.

Louisiana Treasures is a perfect name for both the museum and what you will find inside.

Wayne Norwood, an employee of St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, is the curator of the museum. Norwood developed an interest in building a museum after his job as a diver helped him uncover some interesting artifacts buried in the shallow depths of Lake Pontchartrain.

&#8220I remember as a diver, we were often called upon to retrieve evidence of criminal cases in the lake. As I continued to explore Lake Pontchartrain at work, I began unearthing some interesting pieces from the waters. I came across remnants of old washed-away home sites, cooking tools, arrowheads and beautiful blown-glass shards dating to 1750, just to name a few,” Norwood said.

The museum is a dedication to the memory of the many people who lost their homes or lives in a violent storm that demolished many of the shore towns surrounding the lake on Sept 2, 1915. The floodwaters from the storm were 20-25 feet and engulfed the coast.

Norwood has been collecting artifacts depicting the life, times, and culture of the area since 1960. He has recently applied for 501© status, and is awaiting approval.

&#8220Seeing all these things on the ground and underwater really peaked my interest in the area, and so I developed a passion for finding them and preserving them,” he said.

&#8220These artifacts really have given me a wonderful idea of how people in the 1800’s lived, and I wanted to share that with others. The best time to find the artifacts is during low tide. The museum is unique because it is composed of items strictly from around here,” he said.

&#8220One town, Ruddock, was completely destroyed in the storm. In its heyday, the two primary industries of the town were cabbage farming and a sawmill. The museum offers some insight into how the people lived and worked there,” Norwood said.

&#8220Helen Slusher Burg was a resident in the area, and has volunteered a lot of time into letting people know how they lived then,” he said.

Norwood worked to build the museum for four years and continues to look for ways to generate interest to the museum. He hopes to see local schools bring students on field trips to the museum.

&#8220Kids know nothing of the past. They know computers, video games, and TV. This is a good way to let them learn about the past and where they come from,” he said.

&#8220It is something that I felt was needed, and I used money from my own pocket to realize a dream and bring the idea to fruition,” he said.

Museum hours are Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-5 and Monday 1-5. All other times are by appointment only.

Louisiana Treasures Museum is located at 10290 Hwy. 22 in Ponchatoula, and the website is www.louisianatreasuresmuseum.com