« »

Bonnifield Log House at Waterworks Park

Scroll down for more photos of the Bonnifield House

"Life in a Log Cabin" was presented here on October 29, 2011

Special guest speaker Michael Zahs, a national Social Studies teacher award winner, is steeped in historic Iowa.  He used period artifacts to help explain what it was like living in a log house in pre-Civil War Iowa.  Zahs, who's moved four circa 1840 log houses from Washington and Jefferson counties using only tools from that time period, also showed the techniques used in log construction using vintage tools.

Hot apple cider and Dutch oven treats were cooked and served by the Jefferson County Conservation Board.  This program was co-sponsored by Jefferson County Conservation, the Carnegie Historical Museum, Jefferson County Historic Preservation Commission and the Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.   This information courtesy of the Jefferson County Conservation Board

Early arrivals at the Bonnifield Log House.

The back of the Log House.

The other side of the House.  The chinking is being replaced.  Wide spaces between the logs was common in this type of log house.

Michael Zahs explains how logs were prepared for building a log house (as opposed to a log cabin).

Hewing a log to make it flat on two sides, using contemporary tools .

Asking questions and socializing after the presentation.

Therese Cummiskey, one of the organizers, asks Mr. Zahs about a very old ear of corn he displayed.

Dutch oven treats were prepared here and served after the presentation.

Are Gene Luedtke and Mark Shafer helping Mr. Zahs pack up his display items?

Mr. Zahs answers more questions.

Inside the Log House.

The fireplace was not part of the original house.

The other side of the room.

The stairs to the second floor.

The second floor.

The day's activities wind up.  About 65 people attended.

«     »