Warm Springs Mountain Cabin

The finished dwelling is an amalgamation of two cabins removed from homesteads. The larger main cabin came from a location in Pennsylvania, the addition and supplemental materials from a cabin originally raised in Ohio. With the exception of some repair work and the addition of three courses of logs to achieve a full two-storey height, the main pen was raised as it had been some 130 years ago. The 12’ x 16’ gable-on-gable bath addition was newly constructed by our carpenters from the antique logs of the Ohio cabin. Other logs from that cabin provided the main cabin’s second-floor ceiling elevation, porch posts, and plates, as well as posts and newels on the many interior and exterior railings that were needed.

In constructing the addition we used the main pen’s “v” notch, not only on the exterior corners but also on the tie corners—the point where the addition walls join the gable wall of the main cabin. The use of this method in joining the two structures ensures that the two pens will react as a single unit to seasonal changes, thus safeguarding the longevity of related aspects of the building, such as chinking and roof flashing.

The porches have made a lasting impression on all who have visited the site, particularly the back veranda with its commanding view of the valley below. It projects 12 feet from the back of the cabin and is supported by fieldstone piers, with both a covered portion and an exposed deck area. The porch roof is constructed from hewn oak logs and antique round pine poles; the decking is of locally sourced, traditionally seasoned white oak; the railings were worked from chestnut planks rescued from a barn going to earth.

This same dilapidated barn provided enough chestnut to trim the interior and exterior window and door openings. We used the weathered face of the barn’s chestnut siding for the exterior trim applications, including the gable board-and-batten siding, allowing us to create the appearance of common antiquity over the entirety of the building’s exterior. The interior trim from this same material was milled to a stain grade finish and installed as such. The hand-crafted slab-and-batten doors hung on forged strap hinges and featuring thumb-latch entry were built in-shop by Traditional Timber Works from the 2-inch chestnut studs of this most giving of barns.

To have built this cabin from the ground up provided us not only with a rich building experience but also a satisfying working relationship with all the folks involved. Location is important with all structures; however, the well-situated Healing Springs cabin would be a beautiful retreat for any property, even if it was not on a mountain perch.