We Found a Cabin...but Lost Henny Penny

The following post will be a long one—mostly in order for me to deal with the opposing emotions of sadness and excitement I am feeling at the moment—so feel free to skim.

Good news first…Lance and I have found a cabin for our addition. Built in 1835 by David Birdwell, the two story hewn log structure was sold to the Bradley family in the late 1800’s, and they occupied the house until about two weeks ago. In 1907, the house was “modernized” and molded into the shape of the I-type farmhouse that was in vogue at the time (like our house): a front section was added, and the entire structure was covered in clapboard. The cabin is located between Kingsport and Johnson City—right beside a Wal-Mart. The land on which it sits is going to be developed into a shopping mall and subdivision. The developer donated the cabin to the Exchange Place, the living history museum where I volunteer, and since Exchange Place doesn’t have room to reconstruct it, they offered to give it to me and Lance. It is a sweet victory to save such a historic structure from corporate America. I have driven by this house many times in the past (never knowing that a cabin lay hidden beneath the clapboard), and I always said to myself, “That poor little farmhouse is doomed.” No more.

We are in the process of dismantling the cabin and salvaging as many original building materials as possible. The logs and the stones in the chimney will be numbered, disassembled, and reconstructed on our property. When it’s finished, we’ll have a big cabin-warming party!

Now for the sad news…Last Friday, Henny Penny was killed by a Beagle who had crossed our property line in search of rabbits. I was working at the cabin when Lance called to tell me that he had found her. I cried all the way home—and for hours afterward. The owner of the dog offered to pay for Henny. I felt like I was in a MasterCard commercial: “Old Rhode Island Red Hen who lays only yolks and has more bare spots than feathers: 50 cents”; “Friend who comes when you call her and keeps you company while you’re planting the garden: priceless.” My energies now will be focused on encouraging one of the little pullets to follow in "Granny Henny's" footsteps.

Pictures:
The farmhouse/cabin before the clapboard was removed (Mom is in the foreground and Walmart is in the background)

The cabin portion after the removal of the clapboard

Lance and Heather at the cabin

One of the last pictures taken of Henny Penny (with Heather, Shane, and Jackson)