Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary, Part VIII
By Pamela Nickell
H.C. Historical Society
There was a log cabin in 1830 on the lot where the Highland House sits today in before the original brick house was built in 1844.
Although the original log cabin no longer exists, the one presently on site originates from the same era. Again, from the brochure put together by John Glaze, we learn about the beautiful and beautifully appointed log cabin so beautifully located behind the Highland House. Overuse of a certain word here quite intended.
The log cabin presently on site, owned by the Highland County Historical Society, was originally built around 1830 by George Robison along Mad River Road, about two miles from New Market. The house was donated to the Society by the Curtis Wilson family in 1980.
During 1990, under the direction of Rick Cluxton, the cabin was disassembled and hauled to the site behind the museum. A fundraiser, solely for this purpose, was kicked off by HCHS Board of Trustees. Society members as well as other community members and businesses responded. Cedar logs which would be made into shingles for the roof were donated by Southern Ohio Power Company. Reconstruction began during the Festival of the Bells as a
‘Log Raising’ event using skilled and unskilled volunteers.
In 2002, Willa Stanforth initiated the refurbishing of the interior of the cabin by dedicating the proceeds of her book, “Faded Glory,” to the project.
Members followed her example with monetary and physical contributions. Elmer Wilkerson, seeing the need for proper flooring for the ground floor and the loft, generously donated his time, skill, material and labor to accomplish this tremendous task.
On a beautiful warm late spring day in 2014, Lana Daniels and Arlene Huffman were working in the museum gardens when a young couple and their baby, accompanied by a photographer, took advantage of the weather to photograph their little one sitting and crawling around in front of the cabin.
It was thrilling to see the site used in such a way. Don’t you think that baby will grow up to appreciate history?
The HCHS Log Cabin is filled with furniture of the era. It has a working fireplace which is lit and cozy during the annual Log Cabin Cookout in September. It is also open during the Christmas Open House, the Festival of the Bells and Tour of Homes.
It is not always open during museum hours (Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 p.m. mid-March through Christmas) but can be at any time upon request. Where exactly did these two log cabins originally sit? Was the one on the museum site cleared for the brick building?
Maybe we can find out!