The Westfield Washington Historical Society (WWHS) has received approval from the City Council and the City to reconstruct the 1835 Nicholas Barker log cabin in the vacant lot beside City Hall.
Want to help make a difference? WWHS is asking for donations due to the rising cost of materials. Prices have skyrocketed causing underfunding for completion. Click here to donate today.
This cabin is original to Westfield, having been built by hand by Nicholas Barker. WWHS plans to use this cabin as an educational structure and welcoming center for the community. Opening is planned for November.
Barker was a member of the Quaker Meeting of Friends, and WWHS is convinced he was involved in the Underground Railroad. The 22-by-20-foot cabin has some extra-special hand-planed wooden beams that are more finely crafted than most cabins of the day. It is a one-room cabin with a huge 10-foot fireplace. Some of the native hand-hewn logs are 23 to 25 inches tall.
Families and businesses located within and connected to the Westfield community have the opportunity to be a part of this cabin by purchasing a Nicholas Barker Log Cabin Walkway Brick. These bricks come in two sizes: a 4-by-8-inch for $100, or an 8-by-8-inch for $200. These bricks will be the sidewalk going to and coming from the cabin. Please consider memorializing your family or business by purchasing one or more of these bricks.
Learn more about the Westfield Washington Historical Society at wwhs.us or visit the WWHS Facebook page.
The Westfield Rotary Club visited the cabin last month to check out the reconstruction progress. (Photo provided by Westfield Washington Historical Society)