The
Preservation
Of
Old Timbers Lodge
structure and use it as an educational
facility for those who visit the Big
Oaks
National Wildlife Refuge.
Old
Timbers Lodge
is located in the northern end of the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge near
Work began in 1929 with the opening of
a quarry 100 yards northeast of the home site.
August Rahe was hired as the head stone mason and was directly
responsible for cutting and shaping the unique spiral staircases as well as the
three ton stone mantels and the window sills.
The beams and yellow poplar siding for the interior walls came from a
planned mill that was never constructed and eight dismantled barns. The door hinges and other unique hardware
were handmade by students at
Old Timbers was a unique
structure when completed by the Alexander Thomson family in 1932. After the Army established the 55,000+ acre
proving grounds, it removed almost every structure and remnant of the
communities and people who lived there. Seventy-five years later, Old Timbers is the
only residence that remains, a symbol of the sacrifices endured by those forced
to leave. Its use by the Army and
civilian staff as a recreational facility became its new purpose, and in that
capacity, generations of local people have significant memories of gatherings,
receptions, and other social events.
Since then, it has been difficult for many to use or visit the
lodge. Modern building codes,
handicapped-access constraints, and sanitary issues are additional reasons that
the lodge, as it now stands, sees infrequent use. The Fish and Wildlife Service
appreciates the unique historic and cultural attributes of the lodge, but their
charter does not include the personnel or funds to operate this facility. All parties
agree that Old Timbers is a precious asset, and its position on the National
Register of Historic Places confirms this.
But no one has the funds or manning to provide the attention Old Timbers
Lodge deserves. Members of BOCS wish to
provide a solution to this problem.
As our membership application explains, the
Big Oaks Conservation Society (BOCS) is a nonprofit support group formed to
support the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (BONWR). The purpose of the BOCS is to support the
goals of wildlife conservation and habitat restoration at BONWR and to enhance
public awareness, use, and appreciation for the natural and cultural assets
unique to Big Oaks. BOCS promotes public
awareness of the refuge and develops environmental education and support for
school and youth groups. BOCS develops
public-use facilities in cooperation with refuge staff. BOCS supports the continued existence of the
refuge and the appreciation for the natural and cultural features of the
area.
BOCS interest in Old Timbers Lodge is
directly related to the purposes and goals expressed in our membership
brochure: “…to enhance public awareness,
use, and appreciation for the natural and cultural assets unique to Big Oaks.” The story of BONWR cannot be understood
without an understanding of Jefferson Proving Ground’s history. The story of JPG is well told by the story of
Old Timbers. BOCS would like to preserve
this landmark for future generations. The group does have members who are
willing to donate their efforts to preserving and maintaining Old Timbers
Lodge, allowing the BOCS to preserve a valuable part of BONWR/JPG cultural
history and providing a place where educational and environmental programs may
be held.
Big Oaks Conservation Society’s Old Timbers Lodge Priorities:
1. Preservation of the
lodge. If BOCS does nothing else but
maintains the lodge at its current level for another seventy-five years, that
in itself will be a successful outcome.
2. Increase use and public knowledge of Old
Timbers in a way that honors its unique history and architecture. BOCS exists to assist BONWR. Activities which support the refuge and
educate refuge visitors will be pursued.
3. As funds become available, upgrade and improve
the lodge. This includes utilities and
the development of exhibits that tell the story of the lodge, the military use
of JPG/BONWR, both past and present, and the sacrifices made by the communities
displaced at its founding.
In conclusion, it is the
hope of BOCS and its members that all of those with an interest in Old Timbers
can come together and save this unique historic structure. BOCS’s intentions in this matter are
altruistic. Several of our members have
strong emotional ties to the lodge, and all of us want Old Timbers
preserved.