Old cabin finds new home next to the Root House

Q: What is the small wooden structure fenced off next to the Root House in Marietta?

A: You are referring to the Manning Cabin, cur- rently under restoration as part of Cobb Landmark’s the Next Generation expansion project.

The 875-square foot cabin, built 1830, was relocated in September to the Root House Museum property, which is owned by the city of Marietta and leased to Cobb Landmarks.

Trevor Beemon, executive director of Cobb Land- marks & Historical Society, Powder Springs property, “hopes (weather permitsaid Cobb Landmarks and ting) site work will begin next Historical Society. month with the Manning Marietta resident Lori Cabin moved into place on Barger’s father, Robert Manits new foundation by May for ning, rescued the cabin, the first booked wedding.” according to the Marietta

The project will enlarge the Daily Journal in 2018. William Root House campus, “Our family enjoyed it for and to date $500,000 has almost 30 years and we just been raised through dona- wanted to see it preserved,” tions and pledges for build- she told the newspaper. ing and upgrading reported The Mannings donated the by Beemon. cabin to Cobb Landmarks at

The cabin was occupied the request of a family mem- by members of the Manning ber whose health was failing family during the Civil War, and wished for the property the AJC previously reported. to continue to survive, the

In the 1990s, the Manning AJC previously reported. family purchased the cabin According to cobbland- and “lovingly reconstructed” marks.com/nextgen, the it one log at a time on their cabin will be incorporated and become the centerpiece of a new interpretive center used as an exhibit space, retail and event/lecture space. The cabin’s addition will house the admissions, a small catering kitchen, public restrooms, research library, conference room and the headquarters for Cobb Landmarks.

The second floor of the cabin will be used to interpret the lives of the enslaved people who labored at the Root House Beemon said.

In 1860, Marietta’s slave population was over 40 percent. The museum feels it is very important to share the stories of these individuals, and not just the story of the Root family.

For more information, visit www.roofhousemuseum.com (see SPREADING our ROOTS) on Sundays. If you’re new in town or have a question about this special place we call home, ask us. E-mail your request to atlactualfact@ gmail.com.

CONTRIBUTED The Manning Cabin (interior view) was relocated to Marietta and is in the process of being restored as part of the expansion of the Root House campus.