Our 14 log dwellings were relocated in the mid-1970s, but were raised above
ground by construction of reasonably authentic stone foundations as are
found in this region of Virginia.

We spray Thompson water seal every three years to protect the logs against
moisture damage.   For our own home, a 60-yr-old log home, we use Thompson's
every five years.

The buildings all have exhibits, but not on any kind of panels.  However,
there is no moisture affecting the interpretive legends we prepare nor do
they curl.

None of the buildings is heated or cooled, and we make no effort to
"sanitize" the interiors -- so they are just as drafty as they were in the
early 1800s.

Because our home is built over a foundation and old-time cellar, we have no
moisture problems indoors.

Intuition suggests the use of a water seal might help.  It creates a
moisture barrier for 3-5 yrs. and can't be seen by the naked eye.  Getting
your dwelling up away from the sand would also help.  From personal
experience with homes, the concrete slab floor at ground level may be a
contributing factor.

Ross Weeks Jr.
Historic Crab Orchard Museum
Tazewell VA


-----Original Message-----
From: John Hale <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, October 07, 1998 12:07 PM
Subject: Log Cabin Question


>Good Morning!
>
>Here is my problem.  I manage a log structure, a two room log cabin built
in 1858, which is used as a museum and it sits outside at my institution's
main building.  It was moved there from a previous location in 1972.   It
sits on a bed of sand and has a cement floor and a cement skirt to keep
water out.  It was rechinked in 1994 and sprayed with linseed oil on the
exterior.  Even with this preservation work and two dehumidifiers running 24
hours there is still damp seeping through the walls and exhibit panels curl.
>
>My question is to anyone with similar structures that are outside.  What do
you do to maintain the log building?
>
>A second question is; how many museums have log structures inside another
structure for preservation?
>
>You may reply on or offlist.
>
>John C. Hale II  ([log in to unmask])
>Archives Technician & Curator of the Log Cabin Medical Museum
>Scott and White Archives
>Scott and White Memorial Hospital and Scott, Sherwood and Brindley
Foundation, Temple, Texas