Traditional Log Cabin Restoration:

Swedish and Finnish immigrants introduced log cabins to America in the 1700s. Frontier settlers built log cabins from trees harvested as they cleared the land for settlement. Mud caulking kept inclement weather at bay. This workshop provides students with an overview of preservation issues and some hands-on experience in working with log cabins. They learn in a field situation by focusing on situations that the cabins provide including the conservation of historically significant features. Cabin owners, contractors, and others interested in log work would benefit from this training.

Cabin owners should bring photographs of their cabin for discussion and assistance in solutions for current problems.

Log Cabin - View class schedule

Learning Experiences:

  • Historic background
  • Causes of building deterioration
  • Traditional log construction
  • Log notching
  • Log Hewing
  • Dovetail cutting
  • Repair and replacement of logs
  • Floor construction
  • Tool handling and safety
  • Log disassembly including labeling

For information:

This workshop provides students an overview of preservation issues and some hands-on experience in working with log cabins.