These restoration pictures honor the vision and work of Roscius C. Doan and Joseph Pollock before restoration began at the tavern.

Rotten logs and inappropriate openings were removed. Replacement logs were salvaged from demolished area houses and barns. They were notched and spliced into building. Over 40% of the logs were either replaced or spliced.

The original first floor joist system was completely deteriorated due to termites and floods. (A bat was found living in the Summer Beam.) All joists were replaced with salvaged beams.

The floor you see today was salvaged from the old Fairborn Stage coach stop.

Phase I completed Spring 1980.

Due to minor deterioration, the 2nd floor summer beam was reinforced with steel so that replacement would not be a necessity.

Phase II was begun October 1981. To meet the expected load of a museum, the 2nd floor had to be reinforced. New popular beams, similar to originals, were hand made and installed as additional joists.

The stones in the chimneys are from a local barn that was destroyed by a tornado.

The daubing was made from a mixture of sand, lime and hog’s hair, to imitate the original material we also added a small quantity of Portland cement, for strength.

The paving stones outside were salvaged from a canal warehouse in Miamisburg.

All the wrought iron hardware was hand made by Paul Wood, master blacksmith emeritus of Carriage Hill farm.

Chimneys and fireplaces were built by Pottinger and Crider Masonry. Size and placement of the Chimneys were determined by evidence found in the foundations and in the floor framing.

Fortunately samples of all the original woodwork remained. Partition walls, doors, window trim, door trim, baseboards and chair rail were fabricated to match the originals. Where possible, original woodwork was salvaged and reused. Replacements were made of poplar. Originally, the woodwork was a mixture of walnut and poplar.

Phase II also brought poplar siding in the gable ends; a cedar shingle roof, and window sash glazed with old glass. Certain concessions to modern living were made: Gutters and downspouts, a gas furnace (concealed by the chimneys), attic insulation, and electricity concealed by the chinking.

Architectural Reclamation, Inc. Franklin, Ohio

The Bar in the taproom was made by Terry and Frankie Lewis with lumber donated by their grandfather, Louis Times. Terry, an employee of the Canal Works, and Frankie of the Post Office of Miamisburg, also hung all the cabinets and Terry did the mantels.

What began in 1975 as an asbestos brick covered rental duplex is now an authentic log cabin, comfortable in the fashion of 1811.