Final push underway to fund historic Tilden cabin move

Since early July, the Eagle River Historical Society (ERHS) has been working with a group of dedicated volunteers and a local family to Save the Tilden Log Cabin.

The Godding family stepped forward this summer to donate a 1903 cottage to ERHS’ Heritage Center campus, as it is part of a unique part of Northwoods history. But a fundraiser was immediately started by passionate volunteers in the community to earn the capital needed to stabilize and move the cabin before winter comes.

To date, ERHS and its volunteers have raised nearly $23,000 of the $25,000 goal and are in their final push to bring home those last needed dollars. The cabin must be moved by October, so organizers are asking the public to step forward and help them cross the finish line on this unique and special project.

“As part of the first wave of resorts in the area, the Tilden Resort was nestled on Meta Lake,” explained Vito Bortolotti, ERHS executive director. “As the years have progressed the resort has been subdivided and dismantled, and this cabin is one of the few buildings left from the resort.

“The cabin — being part of the initial resort era in our community — is built with vertical logs which often made them unstable and susceptible to being torn down. Many buildings of that style, by and large, did not survive the later half of the 20th Century. So to have one intact and able to be preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn about is a rare opportunity for the community.”

A more in-depth history of the resort along with a link to the Go Fund Me donation page can be found at eagleriverhistory.org/tildencabin.