Settler’s Cabin Restoration Project Preserving a Frontier Homestead with Help from the Next Generation

Project Overview

Tucked into the woods at Leonard’s Mills, the Settler’s Cabin is a humble but vital part of the Museum’s living history landscape. Built using traditional techniques to reflect a typical early 19th-century frontier homestead, the cabin has long offered visitors a glimpse into the rustic living conditions of Maine’s earliest settlers.

After years of service in all seasons, time and shifting ground have begun to take a toll on the structure. The front of the building has settled, pulling the back wall away from the stone fireplace and leaving a visible gap—a signal that the building needs careful intervention.

Project Highlight

Partnering with UMaine for Hands-On Preservation

We’re excited to announce that the Settler’s Cabin has been selected as a senior capstone project for the University of Maine’s Construction Engineering Technology program. Starting in September 2025, a team of students will work to stabilize and realign the building, ensuring that it can continue to serve as an educational tool for generations to come.

Their work will include:

  • Jacking and leveling the structure to close the gap and restore alignment with the fireplace
  • Stabilizing the foundation to prevent further settling
  • Preserving the original appearance and construction techniques of the cabin

Why It Matters

The Settler’s Cabin tells an important story about the people who shaped Maine’s early frontier. Projects like this give students a unique opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience while helping to preserve our state’s heritage.

This is just the latest in a long-running partnership between the Museum and UMaine’s Construction Engineering Technology program. From building trails to restoring historic structures, students have played an essential role in keeping our site functional, safe, and historically accurate.

We’ll be sharing updates as the project moves forward. Keep an eye on our news section and social media for behind-the-scenes photos, progress notes, and stories from the students working on-site.

Be Part of
Living History

Love Maine's heritage? So do we. Volunteers help operate the museum's working mills, lead tours, clear trails, and more. Your skills—old or new—can help preserve and share the past in a hands-on, meaningful way.

Become a Volunteer