Cabin #4 for Faculty, Guests, and Visiting Scientists

Watercolor painting of Cabin #4 by Jerry Raedeke

Constructed in 1911 with tamarack logs harvested from Itasca State Park on a stone foundation, Cabin #4 features a beautiful log interior with a large fieldstone fireplace. This housekeeping cabin includes three spacious bedrooms. It has been updated many times over the years. Cabin #4 has been the favorite residence for field biology and laboratory faculty as well as visiting scientists at Itasca; it is the most requested year after year.

Unfortunately, Cabin #4 has developed serious structural problems and is now beyond salvaging. The stone foundation has become seriously cracked. At some point in the distant past, the logs were covered with lap siding. The siding preserved the logs for a longer period of time but now the logs are beginning to deteriorate under the siding. The exterior portion of the original logs has decayed to such an extent that the logs have become a structural issue as well. The roof was damaged in a storm in 1995. And, finally, the insulation has deteriorated and the furnace is so old that the cabin can no longer be used in the winter.

The goal of the Lake Itasca Biological Station staff is to rebuild a historically accurate but modern copy of Cabin #4 on the same site as the existing cabin. The plan is to carefully dismantle the existing structure in order to save as many of the original tamarack logs as possible. These logs will be used to re-create the beautiful interior that has graced the cabin for nearly 100 years. 

In addition to modern electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, the new cabin will be winterized. The resident maintenance manager at Itasca will act as general contractor for the construction project and the Station’s expert in-house carpenters will undertake much of the labor, cutting the costs for re-creating Cabin #4 in half.

The budget is estimated at $150,000 for the architectural drawings, purchase of materials, excavation and foundation work, plumbing, and electrical work.

Fund raising for this project is being led by Dr. John R. Tester, a retired professor from the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. Professor Tester has worked at Itasca for more than 40 years as an instructor and researcher.

Funds donated by Professor Thomas Morley are being used as a challenge to match the first $25,000 contributed for Cabin #4.