Oct 14, 2002 By Devon Kuhn For The 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – With just the final touches left to go, Greene County’s original log courthouse, built in 1797, will be fully restored and ready for its dedication ceremony Thursday. Located on the corner of Greene and Wood streets, it is believed to be the oldest log courthouse on its original lot in Pennsylvania.

The county contacted Terry Cole, an expert in historical restoration, to oversee the project.

“This is a hobby,” said Cole. “There’s nothing square, plumb or level. It’s not like a modern house.”

Cole hasn’t had any formal training in log cabin restoration, but he got his start when he restored his family log cabin.

“You have to figure it out as you tear it down,” he said.

More than 90 percent of the logs are from the original structure. Only six logs had to be replaced during the restoration, as a result of severe water damage.

The funds for the restoration came from the remains of a bond used to repair the Georgian Courthouse, which was located in the same place as the current Greene County Courthouse on High Street. The bond allowed for the restoration crews to work with a nearly $150,000 budget.

“Whenever you start on something like that, you never know what it is going to look like,” said Kevin Gray, director of the county maintenance department.

County maintenance workers have been helping with the restoration when they aren’t working on other maintenance issues.

“It goes slow,” said Cole. “You can’t buy the materials for this at Wal-Mart and Lowe’s. …It just takes a lot of time and effort.”

Though the restoration has taken a little longer than expected, no one is upset by the setback. “We were looking at early summer, but we are just a few months late,” said Gray.

Since the original structure was used as a courthouse, it was not built in the same way as typical log homes. It features 91/2-foot ceilings, which wouldn’t have been seen in a home, since they are not energy efficient.

Most log cabins have only one fireplace, but the restored building features a turkey breast fireplace that is very uncommon.

“I’ve only seen three of them in this area,” said Cole.

Local people donated most of the materials for the restoration. All that remains now is locating some Colonial-style furniture for the front room of the cabin.

“The whole building is unique,” said Gray.

When the project is complete, the Cornerstone Genealogical Society, housed in the Bowlby Public Library, will make the log structure its home.

“We’re excited because we’re going to have lots more room, it’s bright and cheerful and it is handicapped-accessible,” said Marilyn Kerr, president of the genealogical society.

The society’s library will be closed from Oct. 23 to Nov. 6 during the move to the log building.

“County Clerk Gene Lee called and made the suggestion,” said Kerr about why the move came about. “He knew that we were looking for more room to display all the materials.”

The log cabin will be open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the society’s hours of business.