L’Observateur / April 27, 1998

RESERVE – The first Sugar House Soiree’ is planned May 9 to benefit restoration of the Godchaux-Reserve House.

Plans include an evening of food and music. Chef Kevin Gordon ofSapphire’s Restaurant and Chef Carroll Angelle of The Plaza Avenue Hotel will provide the gourmet attractions, and Chris Burke and His New Orleans Music will provide the musical attractions.

The event will be held at Belle Terre Country Club, 111 Fairway Drive, LaPlace, from 7-10 p.m.The Soiree’ is a $100 donation per couple, and cocktail attire is urged. Theevent is sponsored by CGB Marine Services, Hondo, Maintenance Dredging Inc. and St. John Fleeting.The historic house, located at West 10th Street and River Road, includes portions dating back to as early as 1760. Additions brought it to itspresent size in the 1820s, and in 1869 it was acquired by Leon Godchaux, whose sugar refinery was the backbone of the community of Reserve for many years.

With the closing of the refinery and the acquisition of the house by the Port of South Louisiana, the now-dilapidated house was nearly lost.

However, the formation of the Godchaux-Reserve House Historical Society and its rescue and moving of the house in 1993 to its present site promised the preservation of this artifact of local history.

Plans for the house include full restoration of the structure and development of the house as a museum and cultural center, focusing on the Mississippi River as a transportation corridor and 200 years of the Louisiana sugar industry, as well as Godchaux Sugar’s place in that history.

The executive committee includes Rita Czek, Duaine Duffy, Bobby Faucheux, Ron Landry, Julia Remondet, Glen Smith and Judy Songy.

Information on tickets is available by phoning 651-0021.

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