Chestnut Lodge is in need of a good deal of TLC. It needs a new roof, major reworking of the electrical and plumbing systems as well as lots of paint and hardware to recreate and preserve this structure with its rustic appeal. The oldest building in camp, the original chestnut log structure was built some time in the mid-1800s. In the late 1920s, at his own expense, then Scout Executive H. S. “Mike” Bauman purchased, dismantled and moved the cabin to camp where it was used as the camp director’s cabin during summer camp. The floor joists were installed using mortise & tenon joinery.
Years later, to provide better accommodations for the full-time camp ranger, the porch was enclosed and a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom were added, but is now a hodge-podge of vinyl and cedar shake siding with an exposed cement block foundation.
We want to transform the cabin back to a time of days gone by. With our volunteer workforce, we plan to cut wood log-like siding from trees grown on camp, reface the foundation to look like an old stone barn base and replace the inefficient windows and roofing. We will also convert the building to wood heat to help conserve our dwindling natural gas supply and keep our scouts busy cutting and gathering firewood so they’ll better appreciate the comforts of home.
