The Intersection of Appalachian Mountain Heritage and Green Living Part 2 In part 1 of this blog, recycling and reuse of buildings and materials was discussed, as well as preservation of the Appalachian Mountains farmer's heritage.
Appalachian Mountain Farms
Many families still farm the land and put up vegetables for the winter with mini at home canning operations. Some still own livestock, and raise tobacco for money. Self-reliance and pride in family and community are still common attributes of the people of Sandy Mush.
Appalachian Mountain Log Homes
Many of the residents of Sandy Mush lived in log cabins with only wood stoves for heat. Some even remember sleeping in second floor lofts that were drafty or cold during winter months. Outhouses were common. Visitors, family, and friends were always welcome and they were the main form of entertainment. In order to build a log home, hand hewn logs were often taken from the mountain on which a family lived. These log homes were built by local craftsmen or family members with the skill of carpentry. The log home was so sturdy, it often served as housing for families for generations.
Whisper Mountain Preserves and Updates Historic Log Home
The first building that greets you when you enter Whisper Mountain, sitting on the banks of Whisper Creek, is Homestead Cabin, an historic log home that is serving as temporary quarters for the Whisper Mountain staff. This log home was hand hewn, probably by one of the native Appalachians. The log home was moved decades ago and was originally part of the Little Sandy Methodist Church. The fully restored cabin is built with heritage wood harvested from an old barn located in Old Settler's Cove on the historic trade route to Asheville. This building is a prime example of adaptive re-use and restoration. This particular design theme echoes the building and living habits of the Appalachian mountain farmer, and is employed in Whisper Mountain's overall design and construction philosophy. The Homestead Cabin will look much different once it is completed in the late fall for 2008. The cabin will have an attached addition including two second floor bedrooms and bathroom with a two car garage and utility/mudroom below. This completed historic homestead will be available in the late fall of 2008. For more information about Whisper Mountain, email info@whispernc.com or visit:
http://www.whispernc.com.
