A small shed with a sign titled “The Cabin Faced West” sits on the PCHS property at 815 Venetia Road, along with the 1816 Enoch Wright House and 1780 log house. The small structure was built by members of the PCHS in 1976 and was used to house a “Country Store” fundraiser at the South Hills Village Community Bazaar in 1976 and 1977. Nick Cicci and his crew built the small cabin, then took it apart and loaded it on a truck in sections to be installed inside South Hills Village. Clara Cicci organized the members’ donations of home made foods, handicrafts, plants and other small goods. Numerous members staffed the bazaar booth, earning $1745 for the society in the 1976 event. The display also won First prize from South Hills Village. In 1977 the Society raised over $600 at the event and won Second prize ($200).
Photos from the 1977 SHV Community Bazaar
In addition to the items donated by the members, PCHS also sold copies of the “The Cabin Faced West” by Jean Fritz. It tells the story of the trials, tribulations, hopes and dreams of her great, great grandmother Ann Hamilton in a log cabin in what is now known as Ginger Hill, not far from Venetia. Ann ends up meeting General George Washington. The title reflects that the back of the family’s cabin was turned toward the east to show they were committed to the new life on the Western Frontier. The author has won numerous awards for this book.
Many thanks to PCHS Librarian Darlene Panza who searched the archived PCHS newsletters to learn the story of the “The Cabin Faced West”.
