Slabsides facts for kids
|
Slabsides (John Burroughs Cabin)
|
|
Slabsides in 2005
|
|
| Location | West Park, NY |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Poughkeepsie |
| Area | 170 acres (68 ha) |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | John Burroughs |
| Architectural style | Adirondack log cabin |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000034 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | November 24, 1968 |
Slabsides is a special log cabin built by the famous nature writer John Burroughs. He and his son built it in 1895. The cabin is located in a wooded area in West Park, New York. It is about one mile (1.6 km) from his main home, called Riverby.
John Burroughs loved nature and spent a lot of time at Slabsides. Many important people visited him there. These visitors included President Theodore Roosevelt and inventor Henry Ford. Students from Vassar College also came to see him. Burroughs welcomed guests at Slabsides for many years, almost until the end of his life.
What is Slabsides Like?
Slabsides is a simple, one-story log cabin. It has an open main room and a small bedroom. The cabin sits on the side of a hill. This area is part of the Marlboro Mountains. It is also inside the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary.
You cannot drive right up to Slabsides. Visitors park on a gravel road nearby. Then, they walk about 0.3 miles (500 meters) on a special path to reach the cabin.
The Story of Slabsides
John Burroughs wrote about Slabsides in his essay "Far and Near." He said that "Life has a different flavor here." He meant that life at the cabin was simpler and easier. The cabin got its name, "Slabsides," from its outer walls. These walls were covered with rough, bark-covered wood strips called "slabs."
Burroughs felt the name was perfect for his cabin. He said it fit the peaceful feeling that brought him there. Many parts of the cabin are still the same as when he and his son built them. This includes the red cedar posts that hold up the front porch.
After John Burroughs passed away in 1921, the cabin was given to the John Burroughs Association. This group was created to keep his memory alive. In the 1960s, nearby logging and building plans threatened the area. So, the association bought more land around Slabsides. They used money from supporters to do this. This made the property much bigger, creating the 170-acre (68 ha) John Burroughs Sanctuary.
In 1968, Slabsides was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. Two other places linked to Burroughs, Riverby and Woodchuck Lodge, are also National Historic Landmarks.
Visiting Slabsides
To visit the cabin, you need to park on Burroughs Drive. Then, you walk about half a mile (800 meters) to get there. The cabin itself is kept just as John Burroughs left it. However, it is only open to visitors a few times a year. You can visit from noon to 4:30 p.m. on the third Saturday in May and the first Saturday in October.
There are also Hiking trails in the sanctuary. These trails let visitors explore the woods that inspired John Burroughs. The John Burroughs Sanctuary is open all year round.
More Places to Explore
