SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 ISSUE
Hickory Ridge Homestead Faces Deteriorating Conditions, Needs Repairs
Located on the grounds ofHorn in the West in Boone, Hickory Ridge Homestead is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of Appalachian culture. This living history museum is made up of eight log structures that were donated, collected and built to represent life in the 1700s and 1800s.
However, just as clothing wears out or tools become dull and require attending, so have the structures at Hickory Ridge. The log buildings are showing the cruelty that nature can deal out: dry rot, water damage, brown rot, pest and rodent damages and severe roofing damages.
Many of the larger structures at Hickory Ridge were donated by families who were honored to have such a strong foothold in Appalachian history and heritage—and to repair these structures back to their original state will take hard work, research, hours of labor and money.
Since the Christmas Day ice storm last year, a campaign to raise the funds to repair the structures at Hickory Ridge has been in full swing. With two major contributing board members, Nancy Spann and Rennie Brantz, along with donations collected from this year’s visitors to the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum and the outdoor drama Horn in the West, enough funds to refurbish the Hunter’s Cabin were received.
The roof is now under the process of restoration, led by Dave Davis, the Hickory Ridge museum curator, and aided by Hickory Ridge staff and friends, board members and even ASU interns.
“We are giving these cabins a well needed CPR, giving them new life,” Davis said. “Without the work they will cease to exist, taking with them hundreds of years of history. It is [the High Country’s] responsibility to care and nurture these treasures.”
Davis has studied and worked in the log cabin industry for many years and will restore the Hickory Ridge structures back to their original state to the best of his ability.
Funds have been coming in for the Coffey/Hayes House as well as the Tatum Cabin; however, both are far from having the funds for the complete repairs. For more information or for those who wish to help, call 828-264-2120.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
