Here at PA Museums, the statewide association in Pennsylvania, we received a message asking for help with preserving log cabins. Can anyone lend this museum a hand?
Here is the letter we received:
April 2015
Greetings,
The Cashmere Museum (Chelan County Historical Society) exhibits 20 authentic pioneer log cabins of late 1800 vintage. Each cabin was disassembled at its original location, transported, and then reassembled at the Museum's Pioneer Village.
One of our greatest maintenance challenges is that of preserving these treasures, beginning with the exterior log walls.
Our exterior log walls are both hewn (as at left) and unhewn, and are totally natural finish. Our summers are hot and dry, but our winters include rain and snow so mildew and dry rot are our principal concerns. Pest control services seem to be effective at preventing insect infestations.
Today, our approach to log preservation is to apply a penetrating treatment (containing Brazilian rosewood oil) once every 5-years. We are located on the banks of the Wenatchee River which is major salmon habitat so that whatever product we use must be approved by state and federal agencies.
The purpose of this writing is to explore and discover what methods and products other people use to discourage and control mildew and dry rot in similar antique log structure situations. If you have any information to share or know someone who might, I hope you will contact me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Wonn
President, Board of Directors
__________________________
PO Box 22 / 600 Cotlets Way, Cashmere, WA 98815
509-782-3230
Email: info@cashmeremuseum.org www.cashmeremuseum.org