Milton Historical Society hopes to renovate 170-year-old building
To help
Donations to the Goodrich Cabin restoration project can be sent to the Milton Historical Society, P.O. Box 245, Milton, 53563. They should be marked "Save the Goodrich Cabin."
For more information, call the Milton House Museum at (608) 868-7772.
Photo Gallery
Milton House cabin
Photos of the 19th century cabin located on the Milton House Musem grounds.
MILTON — The staff and volunteers at Milton House Museum love to tell youngsters about life in the 19th century and the history of Milton, but they know the students' attention often is focused elsewhere.
"When the kids get here, the whole time the kids will say, 'Are we going to the cabin?'" said Cori Olson, executive director of the Milton Historical Society.
Olson and Assistant Director Sue Schlueter said Goodrich Cabin and the 45-foot tunnel connecting it to Milton House are the highlights of tours for students and visitors from across the country.
But the 170-year-old cabin, a link to the Underground Railroad, is showing its age. It needs about $80,000 in repairs, Olson said.
Goodrich Cabin was built in 1837 in Lima Center. Joseph Goodrich, one of Milton's founding fathers, moved the cabin to Milton after buying the Lima Center property in 1839. It served as a hotel for five years until Goodrich completed Milton House in 1844.
Some of the boards in the ceiling and walls date back to that decade, Olson said. The logs are rotted through in spots, and runoff from the main building seeps into the cabin each winter. The roof sags in the middle.
"It looks pretty darn good for 170 years (old); we just want to make sure it lasts another 170 years," Olson said.
The site is much more than a simple log cabin. It's a documented link to the Underground Railroad, which led fugitive slaves to freedom before and during the Civil War.
Experts believe slaves arrived at the cabin and were spirited through the dark, muddy tunnel to the Milton House cellar until it was safe to continue.
In 2008, more than 4,000 students came from as far as Iowa, Milwaukee and La Crosse to tour the Milton House and cabin. More than 10,000 people came to the house for tours and events.
Olson and Schlueter have seen people get emotional as they see the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement with their own eyes, they said.
"If we don't have the cabin, that realistic element is lost," Olson said.
The society has received a $44,000 matching Network to Freedom grant from the National Park Service to renovate the cabin. But it gets only as much money from the grant as it raises through donations.
The society kicked off a capital campaign this winter, but so far it's raised less than $1,000. It plans to raise money through "penny wars" at the local elementary schools this spring and a raffle this summer.
It's selling paper wagons on which people can write their names and hang on the Milton House walls for $1 each.
Olson hopes at least some of the renovations can get started this spring, she said. The building renovation should help people realize the historical significance of the site, she said.
"We really want to educate everyone who comes through on the importance of this cabin," she said.
Mar 11, 2009 at 1:29 a.m.
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nurse4u, I don't think it was "a time of ignorance", but a time when a sub-class of people who seemed to think they were too good to work were allowed to enslave others to do the work on their "plantations".
It wasn't ignorance that enslaved those people, it was laziness, greed, and evil on the part of those that enslaved them.
Mar 11, 2009 at 12:07 a.m.
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IMO- People are in debt because they buy more than they can afford. Credit is great-if you have a budget. I feel that many people feel they have the RIGHT to all these expensive toys right now.
I understand the economy is down, but people don't save for a rainy day anymore. It's great to give to others, but education is the key to success. Education starts at birth.
I think it is a great idea-all they need is $44000. They have a matching grant. Let's try to pull together to save a historical landmark.
My daughter is learning about it in school. I had already promised her to take her before I saw this article today. In addition, I was married at the Chapel at Milton College. VERY beautiful.
Our history is our future.
Mar 10, 2009 at 11:08 p.m.
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We can only teach the next generations about humanity by showing them history. What an important piece of our nation's history. In a time of ignorance, people had the courage to stand up and do the right thing by ensuring freedom for everyone- they protected Constitution Rights-for everyone. Many people died protecting that freedom. We owe it to them to pass the message on.
"Tell me, I will forget. Show me, and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand (Confucious, BC 450)" .
Mar 10, 2009 at 11:01 p.m.
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My kids attend Milton Elementary, so let the penny wars begin.. Who's up for a challenge???
Mar 10, 2009 at 10:29 p.m.
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Oh come on - this building has been through the civil war, WW1, WW2 - you want to let it deteriorate because of a recession? Our past deserves better. Go rent Idiocracy and quick because if we are not careful it's going to be a reality.
Mar 10, 2009 at 7:35 p.m.
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Giving to charity is always admirable but maintaining and restoring what was bestowed to us in trust by previous generations is not just a silly "choice", a foolish expenditure of limited funds nor a diminishment of our responsibilities to our neighbors. It's a responsibility of community. It's honoring where we came from and demonstrating our commitment to the future. It's a sacred duty to care for historic sites as responsibly as previous generations had done for us. Not only should we be INVESTING in the Milton House but also the Tallman House and so many other area landmarks. "These old buildings do not belong to us only, they belong to our forefathers and they will belong to our descendants unless we play them false. They are not in any sense our own property to do with as we like with them. We are only trustees for those who come after us." - Morris, William
Mar 10, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.
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A shanty town is exactly what we will have if we don't support the people who live here right now . There are people in need ! Can't we all spend what little we have to help the people who live here ? I love the Milton house too . That does not feed my neighbors or house their children . This is a time of need and giving .
Please make the right choice of where you give ! Your love and support . I don't know of one person or family that wouldn't embrace it or need it RIGHT NOW ! This can wait !!!!!!!!
Mar 10, 2009 at 6:04 p.m.
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Move on and support these landmarks - what would you rather have a shanty town?
Mar 10, 2009 at 3:52 p.m.
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LOVEISGOOD - As much as I love the Milton House and believe in preserving our history, I think you're right. I'd much rather see people helping each other in times like these by donating to the food pantry or helping a friend or relative make a house payment. Trying to financially support a cause other than "preservation of oneself" right now is a pretty hard thing to do.
Mar 10, 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
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First let me say I do think this is important , with that being said .. I urge you to forget about this project and donate to the food pantry or help your neighbor make their house payment instead . People have no money to donate , loan or spend ! My gosh .. get on the phone and call some construction offices and find out if someone will donate for that reason . What I don't understand is people are hurting and in need and yet you ask for money for this ? PLEASE GIVE TO THE FOOD PANTRY ! Stop waisting money . Find a better way !
Mar 10, 2009 at 1:52 p.m.
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cardtrader: Why so hard on Cathy? It's common courtesy to want a thank you, and I'm sorry I do expect people in a small town like ours to be more courteous.
We would do well to do more to get the entire area to be involved in the history which the house represents. We should have a annual event to commemorate the abolition movement and the Underground Railroad. We could get professors and local historians to speak in various buildings in the community, do reenactments, etc. and invite all the local schools. It would be terrific, and it would educate us all about our history.
Mar 10, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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Superdave - Yes, it's known as the Milton House Museum, because the Goodrich House and the acutal hotel are full of exhibits and artifacts. I think people think marbel floors, dynosaur bones and prehistoric when they think of a "museum." But by definition the Milton House truly is a museum. Maybe not prehistoric but definitely historic.
Mar 9, 2009 at 11:03 p.m.
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cathy924 is the only reason you give to a charity or fund raiser is if you get a mention or a write off, then I will be the first to tell you , your giving for the wrong reasons. Give from the heart not because you can write it off just give and forget about it and see how nice that feels.
Mar 9, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
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Agree, Janesvillean, it's a terrible time to raise money, especially when the Museum is not one to send thank you notes or even an acknowledgement of a rec'd contribution. A friend of mine has donated a nice size sum the last two years and rec'd nothing, despite an acknowledgement is now an IRS requirement for deductibility. No thank you? No future contributions.
Mar 9, 2009 at 1:13 p.m.
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Musem? (see picture caption)
Mar 9, 2009 at 1:05 p.m.
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Seems the project should be to build an enclosure around the cabin, in order to preserve it.
Mar 9, 2009 at 12:58 p.m.
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jviers- Nice name-calling..I'm not taking the bait....Sorry.
Mar 9, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
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truth1...only a bigot like you could find a way to somehow turn this story into a gay-bashing forum. Nice addition to the discussion...
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On a lighter note, the Goodrich cabin should be renovated and preserved at all costs. Too often, especially now, we're seeing historical buildings and places completely demolished to build condos, apartments, and even parking lots. Look at the Jefri's Theatre in Janesville. At least they had the heart to keep the facade, for now...Every time I hear about the historical value of some of the buildings in Rock County, it seems to be attached to an upcoming demolition. I like to see history, and not just in pictures...we as current citizens of Rock County should do everything we're able to help preserve these landmarks. I hope we don't get to the point when no matter where we stand, we'll have to tell our kids and grandkids that "once upon a time, on this very tile in the middle of this very (insert big box retailer here), there used to be a very important building in the history of this area. If you want to know more about it, go check out the pictures at the library." That would be a sad day.
Mar 9, 2009 at 12:33 p.m.
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........and to think we have this treasure intact RIGHT HERE in our area....
Mar 9, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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A historical treasure about people who knew REAL persecution and REALLY needed the help of the public, not like this "day of silence" hyperinflated nonsense of today.
Mar 9, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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This is a brutal time to be raising money. Good luck.
Mar 9, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
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Renovating? Sure would look nice with a soaking tub, custom shower, walk-in closets, and updated kitchen. Stainless is so 2006 though. Kidding aside, it is a great tourist attraction and historical landmark. I am all for this renovation.
Mar 9, 2009 at 9:36 a.m.
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we need to raise the equivalent of less than 50 cents per person in our county to meet the match. Why is that so scary to us, proud Americans that we are?
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