Stepping through the doorway, you can almost sense laughter and electrifying energy reverberating from the fully restored log cabin walls of the Lincoln Log Cabin. These sounds and senses come alive once more looking back into the past to what a person might have heard during the 1920's, when activities in the Lincoln Log Cabin were at their peak.
Lying on the red and white checkered table cloths are old North Dakota State University scrapbooks with their pages becoming more fragile every day. As one walks further into the room the scent of aging wood brings out the "old fashioned" mood instantly. To the north is a picture of Alfred Arvold, founder of the cabin, and to the south is a balcony overlooking the room with its rustic windows making the view "picture perfect."
In 1913, Alfred Arvold, a flamboyant NDSU theater professor, decided the little attic on the top floor of Old Main was worth more to the university than just a dust -collecting storage place. During the early 1920's Arvold made that little forgotten room into a work of art whose legacy would remain for many years to come.
The room became the costume, set building, make-up and gathering place for the Little Country Theater (LCT). The LCT is a part of the theater department that produces plays at NDSU. During the Arvold years the theater was on the second floor of Old Main, and all aspects of the LCT productions would happen here. In the late-1960's Old Main underwent a major restoration and the Little Country Theater was moved to Askanase Hall and the old LCT area was turned into office spaces. Today, the Little Country Theater is still alive and well and produces at least two plays a year for students, faculty and the general public.
In 1923 Arvold decided to give the room he created the name Lincoln Log Cabin. He wanted it to represent an ethnic pioneer home with the dark luscious half logs protruding from the wall. Standing guard over the area and for all who enter, in a place of respect above the fireplace, is a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Written on the ledge, underneath his bust is one of Lincoln's famous quotes, "Let us have faith that right makes might."
The cabin was quite the place in its day. It was used not only for the Little Country Theater productions, but also to entertain distinguished visitors. Such visiting celebrities included Carl Sandburg, Agnes Moorhead, Sir Cecil Hardwick, Knute Rockne and many others who were lucky enough to entertain or be entertained in the historic little room. One can only wonder if those special guests of the time knew what would come of the once beautiful Cabin.
Some say all great things must some day come to an end, and the Lincoln Log Cabin was no different. In 1968, Old Main was remodeled and the Little Country Theater was changed into office spaces, and the Lincoln Log Cabin was sealed off for years to come. There was no access to the Cabin except from an outdoor wooden staircase that would have to be climbed for three stories in the unpredictable North Dakota weather. The Cabin was soon left alone to collect the cobwebs of the years.
It wasn't until 1985 when June Dobervich, an alumnus from the Arvold years, asked NDSU President Laurel Loftsgard for his support in the Cabin's transformation back to its original significance. Loftsgard believed it was a wonderful idea, and Dobervich and a few other LCT alumni began their mission to raise $75,000 for the immense amount of clean-up the Cabin needed. Dobervich had a vision as strong as the one Arvold had in his day, and would not let the money issue stand in her way. Several items such as the pump organ, Haile Chrisholm wrought-iron hardware, light fixtures and old photographs from the Cabin's original decor were rediscovered in various attics and store rooms, but a tremendous amount of work was still needed. The entire east side of the Cabin needed to be re-created, authentic furniture such as tables,chairs and dishes were essential and a new wiring system would take up most of the money.
Dobervich and others from NDSU formed a committee to raise the money and accomplished their main goal of furnishing the Cabin to its original look while complying with modern day fire codes. The group raised $75, 000, and with interest the amount rose to more than $80,000. "This wasn't done with great big huge donations from lots and lots of people: it was done with a few large donations, and very small donations from people who perhaps don't donate to the foundation yearly but wanted to be a part of this project," Dobervich told The Spectrum, the NDSU student newspaper, in 1991.
The newly renovated Lincoln Log Cabin was dedicated for all to see May 5, 1993. It was a part of the 50-Year Club Reunion, and many members from the class of 1943 attended the event. NDSU President Jim Ozbun presided over the event and the Lincoln Log Cabin was back.
What it's like today
Today the cabin is almost back to its original look. The huge parties and festivals still are not back, mainly because of the fire codes. Because there is only one exit, the room maximum is only 10 people. To fully use the room, a stairwell descending down to the second floor of Old Main would need to be built. "The only problem," says Dave Wahlberg, member of the restoration committee and director of University Relations, "is the stairwell will cost about $70,000, but there isn't any money left."
Without the many guests, the Lincoln Log Cabin still has the look and feel of 70 years ago. In an unfinished secluded area in back of the Cabin is a stairwell going down into what would have been the old Little Country Theater stage back in the 1920s.
The wood is dusty, worn and weak, but a vision of the excitement and hustle and bustle before a show can still be imagined.
A set of stairs leads to the costume room, waiting in the darkness for its turn at restoration and glory. Each step has a message: "Last Scene of All" "Then a Soldier" "And the Justice." "One man in his time plays many parts" is on the top step. The first row of words on each step is visible to the keen eye, but the lower lines can't be interpreted. Possibly from the hundreds of shoes thrashing over them through the years from actors and actress racing to their make-up, dressing room or the stage.
Until additional money is raised the Lincoln Log Cabin celebrations will have to be kept to small meetings and gatherings. Some faculty enjoy eating their lunch up there just for the tranquility. "The quiet atmosphere allows for me to comfortably read, converse or plan activities or errands that I need to get done," said Carol Jore, administrative associate. "History!" said Carla Trittin-Isom, public information specialist. "I think of all the many plays and speeches that happened up there and wouldn't it be something to create a production of what happened-- It's magical."
"To the best of my knowledge, it's the only original space from the '20s left on campus," said Wahlberg. "So when you go up there, a person is really stepping back in time."
Story by Jessica Rodenburg
Photography by Terri Mogen
Designed by Derek Wilde and Joel Schneider