The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society held its 2021 Harvest Festival under cloudy skies at the Bortz Log Haus, 5047 Hamilton Blvd., Wescosville, Oct. 10.

The Pennsylvania German log structure was rescued from demolition by the society in 1989 when it was moved to its current location at Wescosville Memorial Park.

The circa 1790s part of the building was located next to the stone and brick hotel that is now home to Hunan Springs.

“It was used as the cook house,” Charles Kiernan explained.

The kitchen was often located in an adjacent building as a fire prevention measure. It is not known if the log cabin had been used previously as a residence, but the loft on the second floor, makes that a possibility.

Later on, the cabin was moved a few lots west along what was then the King’s Highway to provide a home for the widow of Henry Bortz. The parlor and expansion of the loft were added to the east side of the building at that time.

It was common for shiplap siding to be installed over the logs to protect them from weather. Logs were left exposed only under porch areas. A mix of lime and water was used to whitewash the building inside and out.

The Bortz house was jacked up and moved further west to the park in 1989 to make way for new construction.

Members and visitors to the harvest festival enjoyed a tour of the building, watched how a hit-and-miss engine worked, as well as tried out an antique corn sheller.

Maintained by the Historical Society, the log house is open to the public during Lower Macungie Township Historical Society events.

For more information, visit the website www.lmthistory.org.