Press Release 

North Manchester Historical Society Presents Program on Building a Log Cabin

The North Manchester Historical Society will host Jerry Bolinger for its program on Monday, November 10.   Mr. Bolinger will present a history of Indiana forests and early log structures.  The program will begin at 6:40 p.m. in the Assembly Room at Timbercrest Senior Living Community, 2201 East Street, North Manchester. 

Over the past 30 years Mr. Bolinger has built over twenty log structures in Indiana and Michigan using original salvaged materials. His farm known as the Homestead north of North Manchester includes five original structures that he has moved and repurposed. One of his most recent structures is a log house built for Manchester University on the Eel River very near the site of one of the first settlers’ cabins in the area. Jerry and his family are long time participants in several historical re-enactments in Indiana and Pennsylvania where they dress in period clothing and demonstrate 18th century skills.

Mr. Bolinger is a graduate of Purdue University and has taught industrial technology at Manchester High School for 28 years.  In addition to the log construction, He has a wood shop and blacksmith shop where he creates a wide variety of custom wood and iron items for clients, specializing in period reproductions. He is well known for his hand carved wooden Santas. He has created several thousand of these over the last 25 years.  

There is no cost for the program, which is free to the public.  All are welcome.  The public is also invited to come to the Assembly Room at 6 p.m. for a meal prior to the program.  For those who wish to attend the dinner, reservations must be made no later than noon on Friday, November 7.  The cost of the meal is $8.50, $3.50 for those on the Timbercrest meal plan.  Reservations may be made by calling Evelyn at 260-982-6777, Mary at 260-982-1813 or the Center for History at 260-982-0672. 

Jerry Bolinger.

Pioneers building a log cabin.