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Amwell historical group aiming to preserve cabin
Staff writer
agillooly@observer-reporter.com
When Jerry Chambers looks out from his Amwell Township home into the valley below, he sees more than just green pastures.
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"It's really changing," he said. "The farms are slowly being demolished and being pushed out by small homes and businesses."
That's why Amwell Township Historical Society's renovation of the Cook-Dodd historic log cabin on state Route 19 in the village of Amity is imperative.
"It's good for future generations to see," said Chambers, a member of the historical society. "A lot of this could have been lost in the shuffle."
And that's almost what happened.
Margaret Farabee bought the property the cabin sits on for $300 and then donated it to the society, of which she is president. She said the plot was up for sale and the building was slated to be demolished.
But, with the help of its members and the community at large, the society was able to begin a complete renovation last year.
The project has stalled, though, because of cash flow issues.
Jack Reynolds, who helped coordinate the renovation efforts, said because the society is restoring the cabin so it is as historically accurate as possible, the price has ballooned.
Although the group originally estimated the cost to be about $20,000, it is seeking donations to complete the last leg of the project.
He said at least $4,000 is needed to complete the stone chimney, and until that is complete the group will be unable to complete the roof work. Reynolds said the floor, windows and doors also need to be installed - for a total cost of about $20,000.
"We're at the point now where we just don't have enough money to finish the chimney," he said.
But the group is confident the community will rally around the renovation project because the cabin is part of its rich history.
For one thing, he said, the cabin has both a basement and a double fireplace - features that were uncommon for structures built then.
Reynolds said the cabin likely was a common area where people congregated because the village's water was supplied by a well there.
And he hopes that once completely restored, it will be part of an effort to teach younger generations about how the township used to be.
Farabee said she would like to see the Cook-Dodd cabin as a destination point for school field trips.
Fundraising, she said, would continue.
"You just keep plugging to get the money," she said.
Donations can be sent to the Amwell Township Historical Society at P.O. Box 231, Amity, PA 15311.
