As a break from the historic mansions I regularly feature here, I thought I would bring you something a bit different. My parents now live in a very rural area of Pennsylvania, where to this day, the popularity of true log cabins still exists and are built regularly. Disclaimer, my parents do NOT live in a log cabin (thank god, I would probably visit much less often if they did). This log cabin is being built on their road and joins others in the area. I think it's so interesting to see it while under construction and the traditional techniques they use. 
Much like a lincoln log set (remember those?) the logs are notched near the corners and then stacked, building a basic box. The area between them historically would have been filled with a mixture of clay and mud, but today they use efficient blueboard insulation which then will be stucco'd over between the logs, giving a more insulative barrier. The interior will then be lined with a waterproof sheet and then a shallow stud wall will be built that drywall can be fixed to and can house electrical outlets and the like. Not for everyone but it makes for a nice visit!Photos taken with my droid incredible while walking the dog over Easter weekend, thats why they aren't actually so incredible. Back to our regular and more stylish scheduled programing tomorrow.
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6 comments:
Did you have a set of "lincoln logs?" My boys loved playing with them and we still have them, time to bring them out! I would love to have a little log cabin in the woods to escape to for quiet weekends, walks and more.
pve
I have a girlfriend in Penn township that lives in a historic log cabin. They used reall chinking and have it all exposed inside too. Its all very rustic. Incredibly, this is their second log house.
Patricia -yes! We had an old set that had belonged to my uncle that we played with whenever we visited our grandparents in our 'toychest' there. Always so fun!
Kerry, this is near Moraine state park. Log cabins are so popular up there! They're charming but I can't imagine living in one!
love them! are they the original American architecture? My great grandparents raised 5 children in a 2 story one, built before the turn of the century by my great grandfather. I am sorry to say it is no longer in the family, I had always hoped to own it and decorate it up.The logs were varnished to a dark almost black and the daubing was white and smooth.The newel post was a huge log with a knot-that I hugged every time I visited to collect candies of which the ladies were masters at making.For me it is testament to what home is-loved by the inhabitants and those who love them. pgt
Are the logs in historic Pennsylvania cabins round like this? And with such wide spacing between the logs? In my locale, the logs were hewn square and tightly fitted to accept the smallest amount of chinking. Many examples survive but were often covered with clapboard and incorporated into an expanded house.
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