This is the first and original guest book. Is is still in existence. We have scanned the pages and made some notes to make the viewing easier (as some of the handwriting is difficult to read), and to also help with the context of the entry whenever possible.
Please note that the pages are listed in the order they are in the book — They are not in chronological order, because people didn’t write in chronological order… They just turned to blank page and started writing. They also wrote on the front and back of the pages, so you may notice some writing “leaking” though on some pages.
Page 1
This is the first page in the Guest Book. It is a poem of unknown origin. After many a Google search, I cannot find this poem anywhere, so it may, in fact, be an original written for the new (1926) cabin and it’s guest book. The handwriting style does not seem to appear any where else in the log book, so it’s impossible to guess who may have written it. Could it have been an original by George or Lady May? Or an uncredited guest? Perhaps the person who made the book? I’m afraid these questions may not be answered.
The phrasing of the poem is a bit strange… Or is it the handwriting. I’ve transcribed it below as best as I can:
“High Places”
Let each man for a little while go up
Away from men and man-made worlds,
and sup (?)
On the plain food of hill and tree and
sky:
hook with his soul forget the measuring
eye
Let cutting mountain wind clear out his
brain
Earth press the feet tired of the pave-
stone’s pain
Counting no time he’ll ash the boy-
hood knack
Of making hills a pillow for his back.
Page 2
July 4 was a Sunday in 1926, so it is possible some people drove up for the day, or just the weekend. Certainly, the small cabin could not sleep 30+ people, but at that time it was not uncommon to have guests pitch tents on the property. George, May, and all three Tweedt children [Eleanor, Jimmy (James), and Marge] are listed, as well as numerous friends. It is quite possible that George’s construction crew were some of the invited guests listed, though there seem to be quite a few couples.
Note: The words “The Beginning” were added much later by Carol Tweedt to draw people’s attention to this significant page.
Page 3
Also, Marge Tweedt (married name – Marge Brown) wrote comically “I was here too, but I’m not a guest”
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Comments include “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” “No one could have a better time than I have here,” “Thank you for the bed & board & mountain air” and “May the courtesies and pleasures you give to other, return to you ten-fold. You are a perfect hostess.”
Page 7
“If heavens’ like this, I’m for it”
“I have had a swell time, thanks a lot.”
-Peggy
“Many thanks to Lady May. Your biscuits and hot cakes are superb.
And thanks too to the quiet comfort of the cabin on the hill.”
Page 8
It seems that each person was given an “alias” and the page recounts the events of the weekend with their newly adopted names. I guess the writer was feeling a bit creative and made a quite a story out of it.
Page 9
“Some people like the city with
music dance and glare
But as for us, it’s pine trees
with nice fresh mountain air
Therefore we like the stay
With friends to us so dear
And hope for just another day
To spend like this one here”
– Jack & Helen Kulka
Page 10
“Four very weary, footsore people and
One exhausted Pooch left here for
Home, Sweet Home after firmly
Resolving to return soon.”
-Noka, Dizy, Mac, Will, Tippie
(some names may not be correct)
Page 11
Page 12
“Had a wonderful time. Rest, rest, sleep – eat and more rest – got a little ???? – played golf – Thanks a lot”
– Mabel Dodd
(Audrey Tweedt’s mother)
Page 13
“Thanks for a very enjoyable week end. Slept and eat to our hearts content. Will often remember when we get home in Washington.”
– Winnie & Chase (?) Reynolds
Page 14
10 months before Pearl Harbor was bombed.
Page 15
Page 16
and their friends, the Keely’s.
Page 17
Page 18
But apparently it was summer according to this entry from July 4, 1942.
Page 19
from the hot summer of 1946
“It didn’t rain this week and the sun shone down very hot. we spent a wonderful week. Played Monopoly practically every night. Of course, Id never won. The shower was kind of chilly and airish (sic) but refreshing. Well, Audrey is rattling the dishes around so I guess I had better stop. Thanks again”
– Dorothy Dodd
Page 20
This is maybe the most historically interesting pages in the Guest Book. It is from a visit by Marjorie Tweedt (married name Marge Brown) and her friend June Vernon in October 1942. As the house had to be “winterized,” it seems Marge was tasked with the closing chores for the winter. But this wasn’t just any winter.
Besides the normal tasks listed such as “drain [the] toilet” and “turn off [the] water” to keep the pipes from freezing, she also mentions that she had cover the piano so that the “rats don’t get in.” Apparently she thought it in vein as the rat in her drawing says, “Ill git in anyway.” She also had to “air [the] blankets” which meant she had to hang the outside on the metal clothesline that was there for around 50 years. There was no washing machine or dryer at the original house, ever. That didn’t come until “Glowing Lantern.”
She also had to “prop [the] roof for snow.” I have confirmed this with Terry Tweedt, who does remember that there was a designated piece of wood that was wedged inside the house against the roof that had to be placed before the snow fell. It was in the main room by the large windows, where the game table usually was. This was before the “loft” was added to the house. At some point, this sag in the roof, or structural flaw, was fixed, most likely when the loft area of the house was added.
But even more interesting than that, was the note that Marge left on the page on one of her last visits to the property in October 2008. She writes to clarify her 1942 entry that she wants to “let you know, that the “duration” referred to above was for the duration of World War 2. Gas was rationed so we couldn’t drive up to the cabin.” Basically they were assuming with the gas rationing and less than one year into WWII, they assumed they were closing the house until the War ended. And they had no idea how long that could be.
Pretty amazing.
Page 21
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
