The 2003 movie Cold Mountain is being brought vividly to life in the form of a cabin restoration project in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Once on the brink of decay, this three-story cabin is undergoing a magical rebirth through the skill and volunteer labor of a handful of  members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, known nationally as PATC.

Samuel Eaton, who built the cabin in 1850, may well have lived the real life of the movie’s W.P. Inman—a southern soldier from North Carolina who simply walked away from the army after experiencing the horrors of war. The mists of time, however, give us no hint as to where Eaton served or what battles he may have fought in. Nonetheless, it’s almost certain he returned to his mountain home when the war ended.

The cabin is located on the evening side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, six miles southeast of the town of Elkton. In the mid-1800s, the people who lived in this area were true mountaineers. One can easily imagine the arduous hand labor required to fell and hand carve the eighteen inch chestnut beams used in the construction of the home. In the early part of the twentieth century, the giant chestnut tree was destroyed by blight. Over three billion trees were lost to the Asian bark fungus and helped accelerate the decline of the mountain culture. To look at the hand cut logs used in the cabin’s construction is to gaze back into a period rich in American history.

Keith Argow, a professional forester, gifted the two hundred acre property and cabin to PATC. The cabin is named in his honor.

Jeff Testerman, a project superintendent with a major commercial construction firm in Charlottesville, is the moving force behind the cabin’s restoration. Jeff’s love of history and the mountains drew him to commit to the lengthy and difficult volunteer project. Frank Francisco, a retired engineer, ably assists Jeff. Both men have labored for over four years to bring an invaluable piece of history back to life. It is anticipated the restoration will take another year before completion.

Each month, approximately ten volunteers travel to the property for a weekend of work and camaraderie. With meticulous attention to construction details dating from the 1800s, the dwelling is being brought back to its original condition. Enhancements, such as a side porch with breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley, add an updated dimension while rewarding visitors with an impressive scene of a bygone era.

I am fortunate to be one of the volunteers that assist with this project on occasion. While I only participate two to three times a year,  usually as cook and wine steward from Hagarty Cellars, the reward for being even a small part of this adventure is gratifying. Moreover, each weekend trip includes a full dinner party on Saturday evening replete with home cooked food and libations, including a nice assortment of wines and beer. Recreating history is thirsty work.

Upon its completion, Argow cabin will be placed into PATC’s rental chain of thirty-three cabins located in the mountains of Virginia and Maryland. The cabins are available for rent by club members and the general public. If you are intrigued by the thought of reliving the life of a 1800s Virginia mountaineer for just a few days, consider a stay at this rustic historic home sometime after June 2010.