MSU Historical Marker sign (west side of Wells Hall) - text of marker is “Chittenden Forestry Cabin Constructed by students in the Forestry Club with faculty guidance, the Chittenden Forestry Cabin stood near this location from 1935 to 1965. The rustic cabin was a popular venue for social events and meetings by student, faculty and civic organizations, including the Forestry Club’s annual “Shindig.” The natural materials of the cabin highlight human dependence on nature. The wood of the main structure was sustainably harvested from throughout Michigan and the USA: walls of tamarack logs from a swamp near Bath, interior floor of Michigan sugar maple with birch inlays, cypress shingles from the South, and a porch floor of California redwood. The spectacular stone fireplace was built by a Works Progress Administration mason. A pine motif adorned the main door hinges, cast by a Munising foundry owned by the family of two forestry students. The cabin was named in honor of Professor Alfred Knight Chittenden, head of the Department of Forestry from 1914 to 1930. Although a campus landmark that was cherished by many, the cabin was demolished in summer 1965 to make way for the new Wells Hall, which provided classrooms and offices for a rapidly growing university.”
The marker also contains two photos. One photo shows the exterior of the cabin and with the log construction is clearly visible. The other photo shows the interior of the cabin including the stone fireplace. The photos do not contain captions.
The marker is one sided.
