The 1797 Rich Log Cabin

This Pennsylvania Dutch bank log cabin was built over 200 years ago by Thomas and Mary Ann Berry Rich, who came to Symmes Township in Hamilton County from Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It was located about one mile from it's current site on what is now known as Rich Road. The section of land was given to Jacob Rich for service as a General in the American Revolutionary War. The logs are hand hewn from native white oak, hickory and walnut trees (all but four of the logs are original). One course of chinking has been recreated with hand-sized stones - exactly as it was 200 years ago. Chinking is used to fill the gaps between the logs. The stones in the fireplace are the original stones from the log cabin, quarried on the site. The cabin was built into the side of a hill which provided protection and warmth to the interior. There were two fireplaces, one on the ground floor and one on the second, sharing a chimney. The fireplace was used for both cooking and heat for the building. The roof is made of cedar shingles, in the old fashioned way. It does not leak, even though you can sometimes see daylight through the cracks in the roof. The loft, added to the original log cabin years later, was used for sleeping quarters; 13 people lived there at one time. The cabin is only 20' by 20', a small space for such a large family!
The cabin is used as a teaching tool and for special events.