Moving plans set for Northville’s historic log cabin
The historic Mary Gilbert log cabin will be moved within The Downs site to a temporary location, close to 7 Mile and River Street, beginning July 15.
Northville’s historic Mary Gilbert log cabin will be moved within The Downs site to a temporary location, close to 7 Mile and River Street, beginning July 15.
Talaski Building Movers, of Michigan, will move the log cabin by elevating it onto I-beams and rolling it to its temporary location, where it will remain until the Middle Rouge River is daylighted at The Downs site, and the foot bridge is completed.
It will be fenced in to prevent damage or vandalism.
Ultimately, the log cabin will be moved to its permanent location on a newly built foundation southeast of the Gardner St. footbridge. It will serve as a Welcome Center to the park with a canopy for a picnic shelter, a one-room, ADA-compliant restroom, and an adjacent period garden.
Partnership between city and township
When the park becomes city-owned property, the log cabin will be maintained by the Parks & Recreation Dept., a shared service of the city and township.
“The restoration and relocation of the log cabin built in the 1930’s is being sponsored by the Northville River Restoration Task Force partnering with the Northville Historical Society, the city of Northville, and Hunter Pasteur,” noted Nancy Darga, who chairs the task force.
She also listed the professional contributions that are being made. Local Builder Mike Miller is donating his services to manage the project. Ken Brock, of Brock Associates, is donating his expertise as a builder of log cabins, to manage the log cabin’s move. Dan Schneider, an architect certified to work on historic preservation, is providing construction documents at a reduced fee, which will be offset by a $5,000 grant from the National Historic Trust Fund. He is a former board member of the Northville Historical Society.
Hunter Pasteur is contributing up to $125,000 for the log cabin move to its permanent location, along with an equal amount that has been raised by the River Restoration Task Force.
In addition, the RRTF continues to raise funds for the total build-out of the project, which includes restoration, interior displays and a new restroom, likely to be built outside the cabin as part of the picnic area extension.
The task force has already raised $240,000 and is seeking donations of $60,000 more, for a total amount of $300,000. The Northville Historical Society is serving as a fiduciary for the fundraising effort. Donations can be made on this Go Fund Me page: https://tinyurl.com/5ddz25f7
From the Northville Historical Society
Mary Gilbert lived from 1871 to 1941. She was born in Howell, the daughter of a harness maker. A graduate of Alma College, she taught in the Howell schools for several years until her loss of hearing compelled her to resign and teach in more remote areas of the country. When she could no longer teach, she worked in hospitals as a caregiver.
In the midst of the Great Depression and despite her disability, Mary used her savings to build her retirement vision: a state-of-the-art log cabin using airlock log technology along the banks of the Rouge River. She was an avid gardener and one of the early members of the local Woman’s National Farm and Garden Club (today known as the Northville Garden Club).
Mary was the embodiment of Northville’s pioneering spirit. She found purpose in life through hard work, community service, and harmony with nature.
Thank you to Liz Cezat for contributing this article to SocialHouseNews.com.
