Wade Cabin

Did you know?

June 23, 2020 – When entering The Settlement from the South, as most guests do, the first cabin on the left stands out as a masterpiece of pioneer engineering. The Wade Cabin is a two-story cabin with two large attached porches and a dogtrot – a central breezeway on the lower floor of the cabin that divides it into two foundational structures. This shaded cove channels the wind on hot summer days, bringing much-needed relief to its inhabitants after a day of labor.

The Wade Cabin was built from reclaimed logs. The cabin was previously owned by Tom Wade of Kenton, Tennessee, who donated the structure to Discovery Park of America in 2012.

The Wade Cabin is home to the Settlement’s craftsmen and historical interpreters. When ascending the stairs on the front of the cabin, entering the left pen will take you into the immersive shop of historical interpreter Mike Ramsey, who can be found making soap, candles, woven goods, brooms or even dying yarn with plants found around the park on certain days of the week.

Entering the room on the right, one will behold the weaving world of craftsmen Carol Whitmore and Kenny Crews. Carol demonstrates basket weaving, a craft she has honed over 35 years in historical interpretation. Carol has woven hundreds of baskets during this time, and is quick to tell guests that the trick is, “over and under… over and under… then over and under again!” Kenny  weaves chair bottoms, including splint, cane, rush and webbing seats, and can often be seen restoring chairs that are as old as the Settlement’s cabins themselves. Stop by and see Carol Whitmore and Kenny Crews in the Wade Cabin on certain days of week.

The craftsmen serve as a living museum, exhibiting skills almost entirely lost to recent generations. To see beyond with our craftsmen, visit Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee.

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