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Our Log Cabin is an excellent example of a typical settler cabin from the nineteenth century. These houses were normally temporary, a place to live while the family got settled in a new community. When early settlers were given their plot of land, they would be required to fulfill certain settler duties, including clearing a small area of trees and using the logs to build a cabin. The red paint would have been produced by mixing buttermilk and a red powder.
The Log Cabin was originally located on the farm of Jesse Doan on Lot 10, Concession 6, which is off Mount Albert Road near Holt. Jesse Doan was a prominent member of the community and a relative of the Master Builder of the Sharon Temple (Ebenezer Doan). As an avid musician, he would spend many years leading the Sharon Silver Band, and he participated in the Rebellion of 1837 along many members of the Children of Peace. He would go on to fully embrace local politics, serving as Councillor, Deputy Reeve, and Reeve of East Gwillimbury.
The Log Cabin was moved to the Museum on May 9th, 1957. It was part of an effort to reduce the number of artifacts stored within the Temple. It was donated by the North York Women’s Institute, who made the decision to purchase, move, and restore the cabin at the Museum.
The garden currently holds a variety of flowers, as well as locally found berries. Historically, a kitchen garden would have been located quite close to the house to grow herbs and vegetables.
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