Pioneer Log Cabin gets $3,000 donation from chamber

Published 9:22 pm Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Cassopolis-Vandalia Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Retherford (with check) gives a $3,000 to Tony Hebron of the Pioneer Log Cabin Association to help with repairs to the museum. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

Cassopolis-Vandalia Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Retherford (with check) gives a $3,000 to Tony Hebron of the Pioneer Log Cabin Association to help with repairs to the museum. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

The Cassopolis Pioneer Log Cabin Museum is in need of some repairs.

The roof needs to be replaced, the glass cabinets that hold the many items on display need work and there are other items that should be dealt with in the near future to keep the facility ready for visitors.

The Cassopolis/Vandalia Chamber of Commerce has noticed and on Wednesday afternoon, the group presented a check for $3,000 to Tony Hebron of the Pioneer Log Cabin Society.

“They presented enough information to us and we felt so strongly about that we set aside $3,000 for them to use,” Chamber President Charlie Retherford said.

The cabin itself was build in 1923 on a hill which overlooks Stone Lake. It was built when pioneers from all over the county each donated a log from their property from which the cabin was constructed.

Each of the 144 logs are individually numbered and those numbers correspond to the family name, town they were from, type of tree the log came from and for some, how long the log was.

Families have also donated many of the articles that can be found in the museum.

The cabin was dedicated June 20, 1923 on Pioneer Day, thus its current name.

The museum is currently closed for the winter, but normally is open Memorial Day through Labor Day each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m.

Log Cabin Days will be held this coming June. A new event this year is a 5K race. Details of the event are still being worked out.