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Civil War era cabin relocated to Henderson Hall

Jess Mancini
POSTED: November 19, 2009

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VIENNA - A Civil War era log cabin built along present day West Virginia 14 was moved Wednesday to Henderson Hall where it will become a part of the 19th century plantation.

Scott and Sherry Lamp arranged with Dave McKain of Henderson Hall to move the 18-by-24 foot cabin from their property near the Glendale Gym to the Henderson estate about 2.5 miles away.

Lamp's parents, Howard and Wilma Lamp, in 1958 moved into the cabin that had been added onto and eventually encapsulated by the home where Lamp and his seven brothers and sisters lived Dave, Doris, Judy, Pat, Karen, Mark and John.

So much had been done that no one could tell from the exterior that the log cabin was inside, Lamp said. A second floor had also been added, he said.

The Lamps have moved into their new home next to the cabin and began dismantling the old home. Lamp has been removing the additions to the cabin until all that remained was the original structure.

The structure is appropriate for Henderson Hall, which was built before the Civil War, Lamp said.

"That's why it's going up to Henderson Hall," Lamp said.

It took more than two hours to move the cabin to the plantation. Additional straps were placed around it to keep the timbers from breaking free and from other damage during transport.

"And it all stayed together, too," McKain said.

McKain, who helped with moving the structure, said the cabin eventually will be used as a utility building for exhibits, he said. Much work needs to be done before it can be used, he said.

"We're going to put displays in it," McKain said.

The original owner and builder of the home is unknown, according to Lamp, McKain, Bob Enoch, president of the Wood County Historical Society, and Jim Miracle, president of the Wood County Historical Landmarks Commission. Lamp also didn't know who built the cabin.

While the original builder isn't known, the cabin was built around the time of the Civil War, McKain said. The marks from the adz, a hand tool used in working rough-cut timbers, are visible, he said.

"It's very old," McKain said.

Henderson Hall is among the most historic of structures that are significant in Wood County.

The pre-Civil War home was constructed in 1836 by George Washington Henderson, the great-great-grandfather of Mike Rolston, the last Henderson descendant to own the hall in 1984. Henderson was among the delegates to the first Wheeling Convention that led to West Virginia's statehood during the Civil War.

Rolston died in 2007 and bequeathed Henderson Hall to the Oil and Gas Museum where McKain is the director.

 
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Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-4 | Post a comment
AaronL
11-19-09 3:49 PM
I may be, but an honest one. Thanks!

Roger73
11-19-09 1:22 PM
AaronL <--- Nut

AaronL
11-19-09 12:19 PM
What a snake harbor, that edifice would make a fine addition to tin can alley.

Yellowjacket26187
11-19-09 9:38 AM
A great addition to Henderson Hall. David McKain and his group of volunteers are preserving the history of the Mid Ohio Valley in a first class manner. It is surprising the number of folks right here in the area that have never visited, Henderson Hall, the Oil & Gas Museum, Blennerhassett Island & Museum, Burning Springs and Fort Boreman Park just to name a few. Except for Blenn. Island, all of these places are open year around. So turn off the tv and computer and take a short drive back into history. You won't be disapointed. And don't forget to take your kids and grand kids with you. They need to tour these historic places also. Enjoy the Mid Ohio Valley.

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