We Built a Log Cabin, Here's How!

[@townsends]

It’s been three years since we finished the largest project we have done in this channel. To celebrate, we have rendered a new 4K version of our cabin build as a single full length episode. We are very proud of this project, and hope all of you have fun watching with us! Thank you.

[@rosemcguinn5301]

Happy Cabin-versary, Jon! 👏🥳🍻🥂Great celebratory video.

[@-flash5814]

Well done 👍

[@theallmightylystrodon1462]

Cool project, but Im just wondering why there doesnt seem to be a roof on top of the chimney, am I missing something or is it just not neccessary?

[@lorrainescott3473]

Awesome job, guys! Really cool to see it come together in one video. Happy Cabin-versary! What's next?

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

I enjoyed this very much.

[@Szabla1595]

I'm a carpenter's apprentice, and it's amazing to look back and realize just how much historical construction was literally rule of thumb. You could build a full house with little more than an ax, a saw, a square, some string, and a pocket full of nails. Even for complex joinery, all you need is patience, skill, and a sharp set of chisels. Full respect for keeping the old skills alive.

[@Lewis94YouTube]

"All you need to do complex Joinery is just learn complex joinery and own the right tools"

[@Martial-Mat]

I think that the sense of a community working towards a common goal is one of the things that makes this project so appealling. All so beautiful in 4K!

[@joshhogan4962]

This channel has been surprisingly helpful in a Dungeons and Dragons home brew world I make from transport, food recipes, tools of the time, camping, and how cabins of the time were built. Thank you John and crew for the lessons, the coziness against the crazy times, and also expanding my musical tastes.

[@bigbongtheory4222]

ah thats cool man, I've always wanted to play dnd but never have. really cool to see

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The party must always carry nutmeg with them, in case they need it.

[@dogalrorn]

I find it to be more helpful for low fantasy rather than high fantasy.

[@joshhogan4962]

In the world only so many people can do magic. Most people are either in larger cities or small settlements surviving by what's around them. Also there are some areas that frown upon magic use.

[@joshhogan4962]

One of the party members actually is always buying nutmeg. Also he used some nutmeg to make the world's most pleasant smelling bomb. To which I replied you're going to need way more nutmeg!

[@geoffreysundstrom]

There was an old Swedish log cabin on our property in southern Delaware. Sometime in the 1980's a crew from the Smithsonian came here and removed it piece by piece. We have no idea what happened to it. We have a newspaper article detailing what they did.

[@JessTheEnigma]

I am so glad I stumbled upon this page. Living on a fixed income, I can't always subscribe or keep a membership at Townsends Plus, but I always watch the new vids and it has renewed my desire to get back into reenacting. I did some as a teenager, but that was decades ago. I am currently saving up so I can order Hannah Glasse's cookbook - I should have enough in 2 or 3 months. I have begun nutmegging random dishes I make. So far, scrambled eggs with nutmeg are my favorite. Living with depression, I have turned to this channel time and time again to help me pull my mind from the dark places it goes. There was one night where watching your videos literally keppt me from ending myself. I just want to thank each and every one of you for all your hard work on our behalf - both in front of AND behind the camera. I daydream about being in the cabin - the old crone who lives in the woods and scares the kids at Halloween and who the village comes to for healing and tending to aches and pains. Are there any stories about healer women and their lives in the 18th century? I would love to learn more about that aspect of the time period. Thank you so much for everything you do. You are quite literally life savers. You have my eternal gratitude and appreciation. Thank you.

[@KimtheElder]

[@SStupendous]

I came here years back, glad to have another aboard!

[@hawkeyesgirl2244]

Much love sent your way as a fellow Townsends fan! ❤

[@nephicus339]

I don't imagine much documentation could be found on 18th Century women living in the woods. I found an educational resource about accusations and confessions of witchcraft from the 17th century, and I can't imagine that stigma would have gone away in the 18th Century is an unwed woman lived in a cabin in the woods alone, mixing potions and poultices, conversing with squirrels and birds (because of a lack of humans. At least that's my excuse for talking to the animals in my yard) But I'd be interested to be proven wrong! This would be an interesting branch off from the Townsends content; maybe even a second channel by another crew focused more on women's side of things in the 18th century.

[@zach7821]

you are loved, and you are in my thoughts.

[@shazdroid]

The transition from inside the cabin to stepping out into the snow is one of my favorite things! Fantastic!

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Yeah, the Townsends team really knows how to edit a video.

[@NoirBadGuy]

I like how the dog is constantly wagging it's tail. Happy boy outside with friends.

[@kathykaura7219]

When you finished the cabin I teared up. So much happiness after so much work. ❤

[@lindsayalisonstevens3592]

So happy you made a full-length version of this cabin build, John. It’s one of my favourite Townsends projects 😍

[@jillianromick]

Your whole crew should be proud of the work you've done on that cabin! This was a wonderful video and it was great to see the cabin from start to finish.

[@ledraps22]

39:05 whoever thought about this camera shot was a genius. Amazing video great work

[@dwaynewladyka577]

We definitely take our modern homes for granted. Long ago, the survival of people depended on having a good shelter made. This was awesome. Cheers!

[@rosemcguinn5301]

Hi Dwayne!

[@dwaynewladyka577]

@@rosemcguinn5301 Hello Rose! 👋✌️

[@mikeellchuk3787]

modern homes are incredibly expensive and barely anyone in the younger generations can afford them anyway. All the land around major cities is owned so its not like most people can go out into the wild and make their own, if that was possible I'm sure many would. People are being bottlenecked in terms of living quality by money, all thanks to capitalism and there's no other option than to play the game. Sure they had to do some work to make a home, but they also had culture, family, and purpose. Much has been lost. I would not call this progress.

[@reasonwarrior]

​@mikeellchuk3787 Privately held capital has nothing to do with it. I share your sentiments, though, on how crazy everyone has become in their willingness to trade their entire lives to amassing bits and bobs that bring no lasting meaning or joy. We've done this to ourselves.

[@kylewayne3]

Watching this will be the highlight of my day, and possibly my week!

[@mattshaffer5935]

I can’t believe it has been 3 years! You got us through a rough time and continue to. I’ll be watching this again! Thanks for your hard work!

[@drunknnirish]

Building something like this would be such a wonderful experience.

[@aleksandrchygasov2510]

Until you actually start doing it....

[@esp-music]

With a chainsaw and power tools =D jk

[@MichaelOfRohan]

The chimeny is my favorite part by far. I get such a kick out of all of you dressed up around the cabin, eating the right food for the era. So cool.

[@Paintplayer1]

Well, I know what I'm watching this evening. This looks like it will be the comfiest video ever to hit the internet. I love Townsends!

[@earlshaner4441]

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY everyone thank you for sharing your adventures in live history

[@mayaturnnow9110]

Watching this really lifted my spirits today! I inherited from my mother an 18in × 12in × 16in replica of a cabin that was built by her grandfather from a log taken from the cabin he was born in in Bucks County, Pa. in 1857. He eventually moved closer to civilization and became a cabinet maker by trade. Thanks to all of you, I now have some real insight into what it took his father to build a humble dwelling for his little family 160 years ago!

[@buckin8969]

Those are some big boys moving those logs around

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Been here least 3 yrs, fantastic stuff as normal! Love y'all n what ya do n be happy to see ya at 1812 in Oct

[@robertgreen6027]

Thank you Townsends team! Without you guys, my research would have been under the bed gathering dust a long time ago. haha I also love the happy, cosy feeling I get when I come home from work and it's dark. When I open a beer, sit in my armchair, smoking a pipe of twist and watch your videos! I love it!!

[@ElixirSpice]

The most amazing part was seeing the seasons change as work progressed. Before I was as disabled as I am now I used to dream about off grid lifestyle and living in this type of log cabin. Seeing how much labor went into this is really sobering to say the least. This is something that takes a great amount of effort as well as community which I feel like gets left out of the conversations on modern day homesteading. Amazing work.

[@reasonwarrior]

An interesting comparison video would be showing the 30+ years of toil and sitting in traffic to simply complete the purchase and thus ownership of a modern house. I think the time and labor spent on this cabin was tiny compared to what the modern man does every day. The trick of the modern world is that they want you to think living simply was more difficult so you don't escape.

[@seano4977]

Although I watched the creation of the cabin this video combining everything is absolutely brilliant. I just sat back and relaxed watching the creation of the home grow. Fantastic stuff.

[@simbelmyne444]

Cool! It's pouring rain here-perfect for watching you while the rain on my garden relaxes me even more! Thank you! ❤️😁 ⛈️

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

When I was a little kid I loved playing with Lincoln Logs and I always wondered what it would be like to build something like that in real life. It's great to see people like you who take that wonderment and turn it into something really amazing.

[@Joe_for_real]

I'm flabbergasted that it has been three years. I love your content, thank you for continuing to put out amazing videos.

[@EMOjojoEMO1]

This never gets old love your stuff john ❤

[@Soundwavesghost]

I recall watching the smaller videos eagerly the moment they were uploaded and the moment I found this one I watched it.

[@Soundwavesghost]

It is amazing to think of the amount of content and enjoyment this building led to. Wood, Iron, sweat, blood, and will have made so much in that little area. Makes me wish I had land back where I grew up to do the same.

[@Cmcmillen77]

Shout out to the two big dudes busting their ass every day on this. What an amazing process. Great work 💪

[@janisemom]

I’m so glad you put up the full length video! I’ve watched all of the smaller videos, but I’m very much enjoying this one. It’s amazing what our ancestors did with their more basic tools, and it is a joy to watch you learn their ways as you go.

[@roopeharri9502]

Ive watched you guys build this cabin for quite a while now and it has been an enriching experience. My favorite part of the homestead has to be the forge. I would like to see more metallurgy, but appreciate anything you decide to shine a light on :) Keep up the good work guys!

[@archeanna1425]

You might enjoy Peter Kelly and 'The Woodland Experience'. He has completed a log cabin made in the authentic way and now is making a building for blacksmithing.

[@aaronhackney9652]

​@@archeanna1425 just looked him up it's 'the woodland escape'

[@kova1577]

@@archeanna1425 is he going to sell anything he makes or make it a business?

[@JoshuaChocolate]

30:24 "hey they made a door for me now." That's a good dog right there.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

It's adorable how dogs get excited by the littlest things.

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721We learn a lot from dogs.

[@sdraper2011]

Wow, the level of skill, commitment, and time this took is so impressive. Well done!

[@jmason61]

Very cool @ 20:50 -- lashes on outside vertical "poles" keeps the logs straight until the doorframe (using nails!) is built in.... great video compilation of the steps BRAVO

[@jedtattum9996]

i like the long format for this. thank you.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This package makes a fine way to see the cabin come together... In the end, we have a good sense of just what the shelter and fire meant to the family.

[@makenziemay5449]

I understand our times are better in quite a few ways, but i so wish i couldve lived in that era, and do all the kind of things like this. Its just so interesting, but id have to become a boy for that

[@wendycarr133]

Thank you for these videos! They are a precious piece of calm in this often contentious world. I am imagining spinning yarn on my wheel in front of your fire. Keep them coming. Thank you.

[@briandd27]

This is probably one of my favorite of your video series.

[@gregholl5011]

You.guys are so lucky that you have a crew to work together on these projects. I am a single nut case who wants to do this.

[@holtridge7337]

This is very relaxing to watch.

[@patrickvelazquez3419]

Idk if you know how special I find your videos but you should know, you bring peace to me knowing we can all find what and where we connect with the most,on this earth in this life.

[@inkognito3145]

This was a treat to watch. I’m a carpenter and I often wonder how exactly my job was in the past. The fact you used oak makes this so mating to me because you barely work with oak these days. Thanks!

[@andrewwebb2866]

The sense of satisfaction and accomplishment building something that cosy with a kettle on the fire and the snow falling outside.. must be unreal.

[@joanignasi91]

Such a fun project, can't wait to see what more you will do with this homestead.

[@yochanan770]

It's a fine cabin. Keep building and growing and learning, crew!

[@alpham777]

Love you admitting to being humbled by the old worlds craftmanship. Everyones gangster till its time to make those notches. Even by seasoned pros back then the house always improved the taller it got lol. Also your camera guy is very good.

[@hmm1829]

So much work and planning; thank you for showing us and sharing the problem solving as well

[@jamesm-sl3oc]

You look like a good group of friends. I can tell a lot of passion went into this project. Looks great

[@quelarte]

I can't wait to move to a farm to live like you guys, working with my hands, growing my own food, taking care of animals, away from the toxicity of large cities and the 'money first' thought.

[@willcaro92]

I love how the gaps get smaller as you get up further. It really shows what we we're up against. Most folks back then did it got the first time too. It wasnt like there was college for this stuff. You were just in the woods and that was your options. I love it . I wish I could have helped y'all!

[@deathpacito8702]

How I’ll finally achieve home ownership in California

[@graytv-7345]

If you’re even allowed to do this

[@robdickson9027]

California would arrest you for chopping down a tree🤣

[@greysquirrel3924]

You’ll have to move… California would still bankrupt you even if you built the home yourself. Isn’t that insane

[@stephencholette947]

I am doing this. Offically on the Bucket List, seems so quaint and peaceful. My bunny and I would be set.

[@jameskirk5887]

Hi, my name is James Kirk, and I really enjoyed this video. It's the first video of yours I have seen so far. I am a big history buff, and enjoy this kind of stuff. I wanted to tell you, I got to meet a lady once, she was 94 years old, and lived in a log cabin that was built in 1865. It was one of the dogrun style cabins that had the breezeway between the rooms of the cabin. Of course by the time I got to meet her, it had been closed in to make her living room. She had lived in that cabin since she was a child and still slept in the same bedroom she slept in growing up. My dad said the logs that were used to build the cabin, were floated down the river and carted there. The outhouse still stood in the back yard, and the old smokehouse had been long converted into a place for her to park her car. She was so neat, everything in her house was living history. In her parlor, she had a piano her mother bought in 1890 something and it still worked. Probably the most modern thing in her whole house, was her tv, her phone and her kitchen. She still had all her parents furniture and things still in the rooms where it had all been left. The neatest thing, my dad saw an old dresser in her parents room, had a marble top on it that was broke on one corner. When he asked her what happened to it, she said, "Oh that happened when it fell out of the wagon on the way here." lol The original well still stood behind her cabin, with the original hand pump still sitting atop it, but no longer in use of course. Up until two years before she passed away, she never had an indoor toiler. My uncle, who was a carpenter, put her a toilet in her house and she was tickled as if she had won the lottery. This cabin was in a small town called Eureka, Texas. It was one of those things that you probably would only ever get to see once in a lifetime, and then if you ever saw anything like it again, would probably be in a museum somewhere. I hope you won't mind me sharing this with you. Seeing your video made me think about that, and I thought I would share a bit of history with your channel.

[@hlheutte6554]

im super stressed about finding a flat in London and this has somehow both calmed me (lovely video thank you) and upset me as i would much rather recruit my friends to build a cabin than talk to another letting agent.

[@parmezan1060]

My favorite part is how happy yall look chillin in it at the end

[@potentiallyunfunnyguy9716]

It's videos like these that just make you grateful for living in a modern, insulated house. Admittedly it's something I too tend to take for granted.

[@jeannetaylor2217]

I absolutely love watching your videos. It truly brings me comfort. I feel like I lived in this period of time, in another life 💕🙏🙏

[@agimagi2158]

I love this full lenght version! Super calming

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Thank you for putting this together as a whole. This was an amazing project! The episodes that you do on the homestead are always my favorites.

[@Lewis-TheNthLevel]

That was one of the best 40 minutes of television I've watched in my entire life. Excellent job, all of you.

[@jacobsekela8691]

Probably one of the coziest cabin settings I think I've seen yet. Would've loved to have shared in that meal!

[@hot_coldman]

I still watch that first Winter Cabin video for the sense of peace it gives me. Always satisfying seeing the fire started and the food cooking in the warm fireplace. It seems like you guys are getting better and better at building these.

[@matthewwilliams3827]

It’s so satisfying seeing the wood just slot into place in the notches! Cool !

[@jojoberry6320]

Yoooo, this is actually helpful! This will really help with some writing I'm working on. I'm sure that these cabins are the same as they were in the late 1790s to early 1800s

[@HLBear]

I've very much enjoyed coming back to visit the build all in one episode, thank you. It brings home even more clearly how hard it was to be a pioneer. All that effort led to a new life.

[@TawnyC123]

We've watched this over and over! Even my 1yo loved it! I need y'all to make a relaxing DVD, just hours of the sights and sounds of building, cooking, the fire, etc! I'd buy that! A how to guide on building a cabin would be pretty amazing too!

[@Q-BinTom]

Was great to see it all in one video. Such a very cool build to watch.

[@huf67]

Truly a work of art !!! And to think that they did this every day without question just to survive. We should be more humbled !!

[@HacksawsHobbyBunker]

Most excellent! This project is the one that inspired me to build this sort of cabin in miniature for a video I recently posted. I will have to update my description to include this, I linked to the old playlist. Cheers!

[@wild_and_bushcraft_martins]

Sensational! The video clearly shows that a community only grows when they work together

[@Templarzealot89]

I love this channel more and more with every upload

[@donnaadams8902]

This was, by far, my favorite of all of your videos! And that includes the cooking demos! Thank you!!!

[@ericperry2032]

Tremendously impressive, on so many levels. Congratulations; not only on building the cabin, but also for producing a quality content for your viewers to enjoy.

[@roxxram9151]

This playlist has been one of my comfort watches, love that there's a full video now too!

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

This is a wonderful diary of your cabin building! I’ve been watching for years and following as you went along has been and is so rewarding. What our ancestors went through to survive is amazing and your work here brings so much to light any reality. The Joy of sitting by the fire having food as the snow falls and after so much hard work is true wealth! Kind Thanks all of you hard working crew is showing us the making of a homestead and community. Many Blessings with Love, Light, Peace and Joy of Being! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@helenel4126]

The result of your effort is amazing. Y'all are definitely prepared for the apocalypse. The multi-man effort definitely shows how a community was needed to build even a rough dwelling. It is more than technical know-how that we moderns have lost. We have lost that community.

[@daasu642]

You guys are seriously awesome and I love watching you

[@whatzupLizzy]

Great to see a full episode of this amazing project well done

[@derektober8736]

I'm thrilled that they're doing such a real-to-life cabin build! I honestly love and learn from every minute of it, and it definitely shows how much effort goes into making even the simplest of structures! ...But damn if it doesn't bring to mind Dick Proenneke and how much he single-handedly accomplished in Alaska! Mad props and love all around!

[@bross003Angus]

Outstanding production. Thanks for putting the videos together.

[@kenwieblitz5269]

I’m a New Zealander but I went to Germany to study there building styles. Your using the tools I had to learn on in late 2000s

[@Nice-music585]

What a lovely trip you took us to! Thank you for sharing this beautiful time again.

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

This is fascinating!!! Thanks for this video! I like all of your videos but this is one of your best!!!

[@manuelkong10]

BEAUTIFUL just Beautiful....especially in the wonderful snow covered landscape....GREAT job

[@frankmaurer9152]

I love this video. It shows the the commitment, and heritage of the early settlers, the harsh and hard times they went through, and the natural resources they had to work with. All in all, outstanding on the historical recreation. Oh by the way, my children watch your videos, and they take that knowledge with them to school.

[@estebanmiguel6019]

Even though I live on 30 acres of woods in Arkansas, built my own house, and farm a little, watching these videos soothes my soul.

[@larryskullcap1236]

Absolutely fantastic! It's very exciting to see the progress take place along with the learning!

[@pmichael73]

It was great to see this all again, Your joy in the cabin has been clear from the start, and the episodes filmed in it since continue to radiate that warmth and satisfaction. Thank you!

[@samanthajudd63]

Now this is what I call a true labor of love! You have one heck of a crew too, this cabin is stunning!

[@sambarnard9628]

Man, I loved your video. I really liked that you built it very accurately according to the period tools & equipment. Great job. I would have loved to have worked with y'all on that project. Thanks for sharing!

[@jjpetunia3981]

Happy three year anniversary guys! Amazing work and awesome video. Love you guys.

[@jacquelynportee3875]

I really like the way you guys built that log cabin home. It really looks straight from the 1700s and you have done a fantastic job. I am really impress by the log cabin design, roofing and especially the chimmney. That's a lot of hard work that paid off.

[@vailpcs4040]

Thanks for the long form version. This was informational and relaxing to watch!

[@hufflepunkslitherclaw7436]

My husband's family has an old log cabin and silver mine way out in the mountains. We usually go once a year. It's an hour up logging roads and another hour or so hike in. It's really old, from the 1800s, and we still stay there over night.

[@sithvondoom9454]

well done man, you and your team are inspirational !

[@QuakerB0y]

As an apprentice carpenter I would love to make something like this in the future. Feels like a community event watching yall make this. A proper old school carpentry building. Great work, that cabin looks amazing!

[@tomyorke3412]

Cant believe its been over 3 years since I watched you build it the first time. This channel is just pure enjoyment