project summary
The Bonner County Historical Society & Museum seeks funding to support the restoration of a historic cabin in Lakeview Park. Built as a homestead and later used as a veterinary practice, the cabin was originally moved, log by log, from Shingle Mill Rd. through a huge volunteer effort. We plan to honor their original intent by transforming the cabin into a safe, educational space that will provide a free immersive learning venue, open for all. After the new roof is installed and repairs are made to the structure, the interior will be outfitted with a curated exhibit showing the homestead lifestyle and the revolutionary impact of the Rural Electrification Act. Once the building opens to the public, visitors will be able to step back in time to experience history first hand. For students, such an opportunity is key to understanding their home in a historical context. Because school visits to the Museum may be a student's only immersive opportunity to learn about their history, we are creating a space where programming is accessible and safe during the pandemic and beyond. By preserving the largest object in the Museum's collection for the community, this newly usable space will create impressions that will last a lifetime.
about bchsWe believe in history creating community. Our purpose is to strengthen the bonds of our communities through an understanding and appreciation of the past. We advance this mission by facilitating the collection and preservation of artifacts relating to the history of Bonner County; exhibiting these objects in our Museum and at other community locations; nurturing curiosity and understanding of our local history; presenting engaging educational and innovative programs that connect our past to the present; and partnering with local schools to foster lifelong interest in our shared story.
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cabin historyA log cabin that was built on Shingle Mill Rd. circa 1904 was for many years the home and practice of local veterinarian Dr. Jones. In this building, he tended to many sick animals, as well as a few unwell neighbors in the rural community. In 1981-82, in a project led by former Idaho Governor Don Samuelson, the dilapidated cabin was transported to Lakeview Park in pieces by volunteers from 16 granges (rural community groups) and was rebuilt adjacent to the museum building. The building was originally intended to be used by the Museum as an educational exhibit space, but for unclear reasons this goal was never realized. Instead the space has been used for storage.
Most of the turn-of-the-century homestead cabins in Bonner County have collapsed or been replaced, but ours is a rare example that is intact and preserved in its original form. By restoring it and opening its doors to the public for the first time, we can save an important artifact while sharing the experience of living and working in an original homestead. The cabin is now over 100 years old and has been on BCHS’s property for nearly 40 years. During that time, it has been an object of curiosity for many people passing by on walks through the Arboretum, but they have not been able to explore inside. By restoring the cabin, we can bring its story back to life and honor the hardships and resilience of those who first lived in our community. Approximately 1,200 annual visitors to the Museum and Arboretum will be able to enter the cabin for the first time in 2021. |
The cabin on its original site on Shingle Mill Rd.
A crane lifts a section of the the cabin into place in 1982.
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project scope
Over the last few years, the roof of the cabin has begun to leak, and the walls are no longer fully airtight. Before we can create an exhibit inside, the roof must be repaired and the walls re-chinked. We will host a free public workshop on traditional cabin construction methods, including shake splitting and chinking with clay, sand, and ash, which will provide historical context for the project and generate interest in it. We will recruit volunteers to participate in the restoration of the cabin, and they will receive training on modern construction techniques and safety from a professional specializing in cedar shake roofing. The restoration will include making repairs to the rafters, replacing the cedar shake roof, and re-chinking the walls, all in an effort to make the cabin resilient to water, fire, and wind damage.
Once the cabin is fully restored, our curator will lead a team of researchers to develop an exhibit that honors the original use of the cabin as a veterinary practice, as well as shares artifacts relating to homesteading in Bonner County and the Rural Electrification Act.
This project is designed to maximize BCHS’s ability to bring history to life for volunteers and visitors of all ages, while safely restoring and preserving the largest object in the Bonner County Historical Society's collection — the cabin. The original restoration effort was an amazing community endeavor that brought 16 Grange clubs together in shared purpose. We are honoring them and carrying on their legacy by restoring the cabin so the community can experience it once again. We believe the community needs this now more than ever, a reminder that we can achieve great things when we come together, and that our history is the thread that binds us together.
Once the cabin is fully restored, our curator will lead a team of researchers to develop an exhibit that honors the original use of the cabin as a veterinary practice, as well as shares artifacts relating to homesteading in Bonner County and the Rural Electrification Act.
This project is designed to maximize BCHS’s ability to bring history to life for volunteers and visitors of all ages, while safely restoring and preserving the largest object in the Bonner County Historical Society's collection — the cabin. The original restoration effort was an amazing community endeavor that brought 16 Grange clubs together in shared purpose. We are honoring them and carrying on their legacy by restoring the cabin so the community can experience it once again. We believe the community needs this now more than ever, a reminder that we can achieve great things when we come together, and that our history is the thread that binds us together.
educational impact
We are particularly excited about the educational opportunities that a space like the cabin can provide. As we have met with school administrators who are navigating the uncertainties of educating during COVID-19, many have expressed a desire for an off-site, immersive “third space” that they can use to give context to their curriculum. By being in a historical setting, students can look through the lens of history at artifacts and connect the stories they hear to their own lives. We anticipate that teachers may still be navigating COVID-19 during the initial phase of our project’s completion, so we intend to focus on creating and testing custom programming for Washington Elementary and home schools in the short term. We anticipate serving 120-150 students during the first year. Ultimately, our goal is to additionally provide robust on-site educational programming to all 4th grade classes in Bonner County (approximately 240 students), whose curriculum is focused on Idaho history.
The cabin today.
This project has been forty years in the making, and thanks to the leadership of an experienced Executive Director and Curator and a hardworking, active Board of Directors, we have the opportunity to realize the dream of the team that originally saved the cabin. Extensive research has prepared us to undertake this project, and strong partnerships will see it through to completion. We have identified all of the resources necessary to complete the project well and within a reasonable period of time. We are generating enthusiasm for the project within our membership and the broader community. Our successful newsletters and articles will keep the public engaged throughout the process. |
outcomesWe will strive to attain the following outcomes by the end of the summer of 2021:
●At least 30 members of the public will attend the traditional skills workshop, gaining insight and understanding into the lives of our predecessors. ●All volunteers will participate in the restoration safely and with an elevated understanding of traditional and up-to-date construction methods. ●The cabin will be fully restored so that it is safe from the elements and safe for the public to enter and enjoy. ●The interior of the cabin will exhibit a variety of artifacts and archival materials that tell the stories of Dr. Jones’ veterinary practice, the early homesteading experience, the Rural Electrification Act, and the initial cabin restoration efforts in 1981. ●The cabin will provide space and resources for educational, immersive programs, and local schools will utilize these resources. We plan to serve at least 120 students by the end of the 2021-2022 school year. |
stewardship & collaboration
The roof repairs and new chinking should last at least 35 years, but we have requested a small sum to cover roof cleanings for the next five years. Keeping the roof clear of heavy snow and debris is the single most important factor in extending its life. After the exhibit is created in the cabin, the exhibit will be evaluated every 3 years and minor updates may be made. We anticipate that the next major exhibit update will take place in 10-12 years, which will likely be funded through a grant from the Idaho State Historical Society or the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Kinnickinnick Native Plant Society, the Sandpoint Lions Club, and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, which together with BCHS comprise the Lakeview Park Community Group, are all involved in consultations at each stage of the project, as they are all stakeholders in the shared space that is Lakeview Park. Through consistent communication and collaboration, we are devising the most accessible and engaging ways for the public to experience Lakeview Park. As one of the gems of the park, the cabin provides potential for all four organizations as an educational space.
We are working closely with Washington Elementary administration to create educational tools and programming for elementary students, which we will use as a model for expanding our educational resources to other Bonner County schools and grade levels. We are working with local historians Dan Evans and Maggie Mjelde to unearth and bring to life the stories surrounding Dr. Jones and the early years of the cabin. We would like to work with the Rotary Club of Sandpoint and your extensive network to recruit volunteers for the restoration work and raise awareness for the project.
Kinnickinnick Native Plant Society, the Sandpoint Lions Club, and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, which together with BCHS comprise the Lakeview Park Community Group, are all involved in consultations at each stage of the project, as they are all stakeholders in the shared space that is Lakeview Park. Through consistent communication and collaboration, we are devising the most accessible and engaging ways for the public to experience Lakeview Park. As one of the gems of the park, the cabin provides potential for all four organizations as an educational space.
We are working closely with Washington Elementary administration to create educational tools and programming for elementary students, which we will use as a model for expanding our educational resources to other Bonner County schools and grade levels. We are working with local historians Dan Evans and Maggie Mjelde to unearth and bring to life the stories surrounding Dr. Jones and the early years of the cabin. We would like to work with the Rotary Club of Sandpoint and your extensive network to recruit volunteers for the restoration work and raise awareness for the project.
project budget
The ultimate goal of this project is to create a community space that honors our past and provides educational opportunities into the future. However, none of this will be possible without the restoration of the historic building. We request that the funding from the Rotary Club of Sandpoint be spent exclusively on the restoration and repair costs of the cabin itself. The process involves minor repairs to the rafters and skip sheeting; installing an ice and water shield, which will protect the building from water damage; replacing the cedar shake roof with new shakes that are treated with fire retardant; and sealing the walls with new chinking. While the bulk of the work will be done by volunteers, a professional roofer will be hired to supervise the project and provide safety training. By holding ourselves to a high quality construction standard and scheduling regular maintenance, the cabin will be able to serve our community for another 35-40 years without significant renovations.