Last Updated: Thursday, November 13, 2008 9:17 AM CST
News : Dinesen house receives additional funding for restoration
By Northwoods Media staff
Mole Lake is the site of one of Wisconsin's oldest surviving log cabins, now referred to as the Dinesen Log House. This special piece of historic American architecture built in the late 1860s to the early 1870s was listed on Wisconsin's most endangered properties in 2003 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Properties in 2005. It is now undergoing a complete restoration to become a tourist attraction and to enhance tribal economic tourism overall.
The Sokaogon Chippewa Community recently received additional funding for the Dinesen Cabin Restoration Project. In June 2008, the tribe was awarded a National Park Service grant to finish the repairs of the Dinesen cabin. In August and September, additional funds were received from the Madison Community Foundation and Northwoods Niijii. These funds met the requirement of the Jeffris Family Foundation Challenge Grant made earlier and their funds will be forthcoming.
The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2005 for its log structure architecture. There is speculation the cabin may have been owned by Wilhelm Dinesen and Ludwig Motzfeldt.
In the early 1870's, Wilhelm Dinesen, a Danish adventurer, traveled to northern Wisconsin and took residency in the cabin and became friends with the Mole Lake Chippewa. He called the cabin, "Frydenlund," or "Grove of Joy." After 14 months of hunting, fishing, fur trapping, and roaming the wilderness, he went back to Denmark. Wilhelm Dinesen was the father of the author Karen Blizen who wrote Out of Africa.
Ludwig Motzfeldt was the first treasurer of Forest County.
An earlier National Park Service grant was used to replace the roof and stabilize the foundation. This work was needed to stop further deterioration of the structure. The new work will complete the building renovation project. The tribe plans on turning the building into a historical attraction for visitors.
| Tell us what you think... |
| Comments » |
The
comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News. |
|
| Post a comment
(150 word limit) » |
| We will not post reader comments containing
racial, religious or personal attacks, slander,
profanity, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses,
phone numbers or Web site addresses that are
for personal or promotional gain. |
|
|
| Thank you for your comments! Once your comments
are approved, they will appear on the site. |
|
|
|
|
feed
Comments
