History of the Original Structure

May 15, 2010
Here's a few pictures of our existing log house and a little history about it and the new addition. I'm sure most of you are wondering why we're adding on. Three years ago, I couldn't have imagined adding on to this house; making a few modifications maybe, but razing and reconstructing another log house, NO! So I thought until I realize the VDOT had plans to burn a log house to make way for a road expansion. Long story short, with the help of Shane Miller, (this is all your fault you know!) I called Tim at work after looking at the house, took a deep breath and told him we've just bought another log house. He didn't say anything for a long time, (I think he was picking himself up off the floor), and said he'd be home later. I'm sure he knows now, the longer it took him to get home, the more reasons I had stacked why we needed this log house. To make a long story short, 3 days later, we had the log house numbered, disassembled and some-what reassembled in front of the barn at our place....Waiting for the next move.

To give you a little history on our house,,the house was built in 2 time periods. The first hosue was built around 1830ish and the second part of the house was added on in 1896. The 1830-ish house acquired by my great (6,7x or so) grandfather as payment for a bad debt in 1870 something and his son, Samuel, built the addition on in 1896. This house was very interesting tearing down, you could see the distinct eras through the different colors and architechural details. The brick were molded and fired on site in an earthen kiln. The bricks are amazing in that they have not deteriorated at all, and you can see the big chucks of carbon in them. I plan on using them in the addition. The clap board and inside wall and floor boards were made of yellow poplar, (these too will be used in the addition). The front porch is very unique in that the design is chippendale,,,,believe it or not. It too is yellow poplar. The value of yellow poplar is that it doesn't rot and bugs don't care for it much.

The house we're adding on is a 1820-30 house, believed to be part of the old Jayne farm, one of the oldest and still intact farms in the area, complete with the original log structures. I have pictures of the original house(s), but I'll have to scan them and add them later.

I hope you will enjoy viewing this blog and feel free to become a follower with your comments. Tell us about your own experiences with these wonderful historical old cabins or houses and their revivals. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take Care
Nora Belle