History is being made on Court Street in New Castle, where stone mason/master builder Roger Davis has made great progress now that spring has finally sprung in Craig County.
The Holstein Cabin, which dates to early 1800 and was lived in until the 1960’s, is being reconstructed stone by stone and log by log. The majority of the building materials are original, with some replacement logs being used from a dismantled 200-year old barn from the Hawkins farm on Rt. 614, donated by George and Karen Barnhart.
With a preliminary budget of $40,000, the donation of these much-needed logs was a tremendous help. The cost of rebuilding the cabin is funded completely through tax-deductible donations to the Craig County Historical Society. The Society thanks those who have already contributed, including a donation received from a life member’s estate. It is through such generosity this project will be able to be completed, thus enabling the cabin to become another piece of living history for current and future generations.
The Holstein Cabin was returned to Craig by Explore Park on the condition that it be used for public education. The experience of watching this kind of construction and later to walk through a finished structure like this is a tremendous teaching tool and a window into the history of Craig County.
The public is invited to stop and watch from a distance while remembering it is an active construction site.
Craig County Historical Society is pleased to announce an upcoming fundraiser for the cabin project – a country-fried steak dinner with all the fixings on Friday, May 4, 2018. The menu will include country-fried steak, green beans, potato casserole, cole slaw, bread, homemade desserts, and beverage. Cost is $15, and take-out is available on request. Call Mary Hutchison, 540-747-2255, to reserve a seat for either the 5:00 PM seating or the 6:30 PM seating. Spaces are expected to fill up quickly, as this will be an opportunity to visit with Roger Davis, builder, and see the cabin up close.
To be part of preserving the history of our area, tax-deductible donations may be mailed to Craig County Historical Society, PO Box 206, New Castle, VA, 24127.
-Submitted by Diane Givens
