- William Dee Cabin on the History Center Grounds
This log home was built by an early Rochester settler, William Dee. Irish immigrant William and his wife Martha built this cabin in 1862. Thier first child was born in the cabin the night they occupied it.
The cabin is made from Poplar logs. With the help of 25 men, the cabin was built in just one day. The cabin has been preserved by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the History Center of Olmsted County.
The cabin was first built in Rochester on 6th Street SW near 4th Avenue. The cabin is typical of an early settler’s home. The last lady to live here was named Anna Benson Ward. She rented the cabin for $3 per month from 1907 to 1911.
The cabin has been moved six times over the years to its current home on the campus of the History Center. The Dee Cabin is open seasonally as part of the museum tour. During selected special events and programs it is the location of pioneer demonstrations.
Thanks to a grant from the National DAR and our local philanthropic community, there will be some restoration work done on the cabin in 2011.
