The Watkins cabin finds a new home
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I first learned about the Watkins cabin in 2009, while researching the Watkins Cemetery. Through a bit of sleuthing, I found Dr. Robert Rhoades, an anthropology professor at the University of Georgia and project leader for the Georgia Log Cabin Project.
Dr. Rhoades said the goal of the project was to locate and research Georgia’s historical log cabins, raise public awareness about the vanishing log cabin and their stories, preserve or reconstruct endangered log cabins, and teach young people about rural life and values through the log cabin theme. The Watkins cabin was one of eight cabins purchased and relocated to his farm as part of the project. The Watkins cabin had been meticulously documented at its original site before it was disassembled for the move. In a photo strip Dr. Rhoades sent, several grave markers were shown up close as well as in relationship to the Watkins cabin. In a project presentation by Dr. Rhoades, a photo collage showed the military grave marker of Benjamin T. Watkins from the War of 1812, a photo of the cabin before its move, and other nearby grave markers. While this information was immensely helpful, sadly we could not locate the Benjamin Watkins grave markers, nor could we reach the property owner for further assistance. CONTINUED - Page 3 |
Dr. Rhoades moved and restored eight log cabins to his 320-acre farm as part of the Georgia Log Cabin project.
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Photo left- Collage from Georgia Log Cabin presentation showing Benjamin T. Watkins military grave marker, the Watkins cabin at its original site, and the Watkins Cemetery.
Photo right – Enlargement of film strip showing grave sites (bottom of photo) in relationship to the cabin at its original location. Photo bottom – project film strip provided by Dr. Rhoades. |
