Settlers House

[1] French Canadian lumberjacks probably built the Settlers' Cabin in East Charlotte in about 1800.

After moving the building's exterior walls to the grounds intact, the museum provided a new foundation, replaced the roof, and restored the cabin's single interior room, stone fireplace, and sleeping loft.

In colonial America wood was needed to construct everything from sailing ships to storage kegs, and lumber, forested by loggers like the French Canadians who built the Settlers' Cabin, quickly emerged as the most important cash crop of 18th-century America.

While in operation, the water's motion forced the sawmill's saw blade up and down, enabling it to cut through logs directed into its path.

The Shepard family, descendants of Trescott, continued to operate the mill until the early 20th century and later donated its contents to the museum.