One thing they’ll need to create is a root cellar if they plan on trying to preserve things other than potting or salting them. Plus I’d love to see them get into the subject of beds and bedding in that time period.
I've been a subscriber since they were just starting to build the cabin, its nuts that its been 3 years! Popularity and production wise it feels like on another level.
I remember when Jon first uploaded a video saying he was sick of the cooking video routine every week and wanted to expand his horizons. Usually, when a RU-vid channel gets big, they relegate themselves to whatever it was that made them popular or got them the most views. The output becomes... uniform. When the first log cabin video went up after Jon's "rant", I realized how serious he was about _not_ falling into that pattern. Jon is not a RU-vidr. He's a genuine, passionate historian who just so happens to share that passion on RU-vid. It is that distinction that guarantees the longevity of Townsends.
People click for the content but stay for the personality, he brings such a wholesome and genuine atmosphere whilst also maintaining a kind of professionalism in his narration.
as much as I like all the other stuff they do, my heart truly goes out to all the delicious cooking videos. and to their store which is also a good way to support them.
I remember how worried I was when I watched Jon's upset at the response the channel got to the Orange Fool episode (July 2017). I was afraid that social media toxicity was going to cost us the Townsend's YT videos. I'm so glad that y'all didn't give in and have instead flourished. I've loved watching you every step of the way. Townsend's is perhaps the most wholesome and educational channel on this platform. The channel had around 300,000 subscribers at the time of the Orange Fool nonsense and has more than 2 million today. I think that I'm not the only one who gets a lot out of watching Townsends. Congratulations on another remarkable year, and may 2023 bring you joy. 👏
I really didn't blame him for getting angry. Injecting modern politics into the comment section on a video about 18th century food is rather upsetting to me as well because i and many others come here to escape that foolishness.
@Colin B tons of people flooded the comments of a video about a revolutionary war Era frozen custard with political comments both for and against the former president. It greatly angered Mr. Townsend.
I’ve always enjoyed your cooking, and nutmeg tavern videos, but by far, my favorite Townsends content has been your homestead series. Congrats on your channel growth, and thank you for all you do to provide us all with fantastic living history content to enjoy!
As a history teacher I truly love your channel and all the recreating you do on here. Watching this cabin and homestead come together over the years has been a joy! Please continue to add and refurbrish it. Thank you so much!
Being a carpenter of 30 years I've watched EVERY cabin/homestead video since the very first one... And have very much enjoyed and appreciated every minute of them! Thank you, keep them coming!
Thank you for your work. My kitchen remodel I've taken on has given me a HUGE amount of respect for folks like you and your skills. Just wanted to say your work is meaningful and appreciated sir. Thanks for literally building our world and making it both useful and beautiful.
Three years already, wow. This series started right at a particularly transformational time in my life and it's been one of my getaways from worries. Thanks for all you guys do.
It's been a great journey watching the homestead rise from the ground by your hands and then evolve into what it is today. I can't even begin to imagine what it must mean to you. Thank you all!
Since it's near the winter season, can you do an episode on how they made sleds, or sleighs in the 18th century in North America? That would be interesting to see . Cheers!
I know you didn’t plan your building project to align with the start of the pandemic, but the timing was perfect. l was so grateful to come across your channel three years ago. I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way I do. Back then, I was looking for calming, relaxing videos to take my mind off the pandemic and the fact I was unemployed, broke, and nobody was hiring because of the lockdowns. Your channel is a great escape from the harsh realities of modern life.
Ah i'm gonna watch this by candlelight with a cat on my lap. Always a treat to settle down for a Townsends video as we savour the flavours and the aromas of the 18th century.
John - I used to do Rev. War reenacting and early frontier reenacting and your cabin project is amazing! I have been in many historic fort sites as well as garrison huts and from what I can see your cabin could be lived in year round if a person wanted to be off grid and live as our ancestors did in the past. This is a positive thing for your channel as well as your business and as I am an American history teacher, I show your videos to my students and they love them and even ask to see the latest historical living or cooking videos! Some have even cooked some of your recipes and brought the food in to share! Thank you again for what you do and please know that you and the rest of your team do make a difference in the lives of so many people and it is a real blessing! Thank you again! Brian Stuart Kesterson MA. Ed. - History Department - Williamstown High School - Williamstown, West Virginia.
This has been a marvelous project to get to witness over the years. With y'all racing the weather the first year, I was wondering when you were going to put a better cladding on the roof -- which I think has been the single most important addition (and the new door). If you can't stay warm and dry, then you're going to have a hard time. After that, it's harder to decide which is the biggest improvement. For me, it's probably a tie between the blacksmithing area and the well (local water, always a welcome luxury). You need hard tools on a homestead, and nothing beats having a smithy to forge what you need and repair what you break.
Watching your cabin build video has given me an understanding of what my ancestors went through and how they lived. They were farmers who moved from New York to Pennsylvania, through the Ohio Valley, on to Kansas and Nebraska. They weren't rich or famous, just men and women who worked the land and endured hardship in hope of a better life. Thank you for your efforts.
You started on my son's 29th birthday! September 16th is a great day to birth a cabin! 😁 I have wanted to live in a cabin like this since I was a child and read the "Little House on the Prairie" books. I realized recently that my grandma wanted me to read them because her life was very much like that on a subsistence farm in Minnesota 1920s - 1940s. They moved "to town" when my grandma got her "normal" degree to teach school (before a university degree was needed). As she taught, she continued her education as the times changed.
These cabin videos have been my favorites. As a child growing up in central Indiana, I had the opportunity to explore several old cabins that still existed in my neck of the woods (I'm 71). They were hewn beams, mostly used as storage sheds with corrugated tin roofing covering the deteriorating cedar shingles. Many of them were a single pen although they often had a lean-to added. My favorite one still had an old buckboard stored beneath the lean-to, its wooden wheels sunken into the earth. I marveled to think of the families that were raised in these little structures. All sites are gone now. It's sad that none were salvaged.
This whole series has to be my favorite on RU-vid. From the attention to detail to your commitment to historical techniques and materials, the homestead has given me (as a viewer!) so much insight into the lives of our forefathers. I love experimental archeology and I remember being so excited to see your first log cabin video. I can't wait to see more! You guys are great!
I remember watching the first cabin video and remember thinking “in before ‘the cabin collapsed’ video comes next” 😂 but wow what a journey! I’d love to see the inside and sit in an cabin that looks like I’d freeze to death over night… to it actually being a well made building that’s so warm and cosy with an amazing fire! What an achievement, I think you guys need to pat yourselves on the back! Don’t thank us! Thank yourselves! Amazing work! Keep it up! ❤
The smoke house using the mortise and tenon joint construction is what style the main house would be built in. Making the smoke house first would be the learning phase of the main house construction. I'm impressed with the willingness to work hard to show WORKING HARD. Amazing!
It's been a lot of fun, and really enlightening, to watch you build this cabin and the homestead around it. I've learned a lot from this channel, and loved every minute of it.
In my state of Connecticut, we have a place called Old Sturbridge Village, a living 1800s township that serves as a museum/history society. I must have gone there five times as a kid, loving each time I went, because I got to blacksmith making tools and sundries, the loom weavers, and the cooks at the bakery making the best bread I've ever smelled. You bring me back to those days every time I hear your fascination with the past, because you hit it out of the park with you're unending positivity and excitement about sharing your passions. Thank you for following your passion and giving us, your viewers, a chance to share in it. I can't wait to see what you come up with next! Even if it's just a neat little bowl you made or a barn to make the Amish green with envy. Just hearing your voice will put a smile on my face.
The first cabin video was wonderful, the ending where it started snowing just as you finished up was cinematic and couldn't have been more perfect if you planned it. Love the channel, love all of the projects you're doing on the homestead and can't wait to see what's up next.
Can’t remember exactly but I’ve been with you guys 5 years or so. Love all your content and the Homestead is one of my favorites. Thanks so much for your hard work!
I can't believe it's been 3 years! Your in depth look at building, experimentation, and improv on the fly has taught me so much, and it's been really useful to have this info. I write fantasy books about a world that has tech and culture similar to the late Georgian period, and the main character is a hunter and wilderness trekker. I can't thank you enough for all the fun facts, recipes, stories, and jokes that make my research so fun and rewarding. And let me know if you'd like a free copy of one of my books.
When I was a kid in the 90s I was blessed with the privilege to go into the woods and fell whatever trees we wanted to. The area was waiting for development. The owner simply asked that we not "burn it all down". By age 16 my friends and I had built several log cabins. Your roof is better than ours. Now that I'm nearing my 40's I have to buy my own land to try again. I envy you.
I have watched since you began; each element was an education, and feeling of fascination for those who built each of the structures you worked on. Three years has gone by quickly, and I still look forward to more. Thank you for sharing your passion and sense of adventure
Firstly. I've followed your channel for years. The dugout canoe, this cabin. the mini movies, all of these have been wonderful. It's been a while since your daughter has cooked for us, and as things morph over time, you've managed to keep the content awesome. You haven't showcased your goods for sale in a while, and showcasing them has never been problem, as you've consistently done so in an entertaining and inviting manner. In other words, for everyone there, keep up the amazing work each and every one of you do.
I've watched the Homestead grow from the beginning, & eagerly look forward to every new video! I love working with hand-tools, and watching y'all use basic tools to create a home and outbuildings is inspiring. Thank You so much for sharing this journey with us!
A few period correct things that will extend the life of the cabin and any future buildings. 1 Lay Birch bark under the base logs. This has been done for milenia in northern europe. Norway rates a birch bark underlayment for 250 years. This will prevent the base logs from rotting. 2 Oil, oil the shingles. Boiled linseed is the best but any vegetable oil will work. 3 Lime plaster. Make a batch of quick lime and mix with sand and crushed clay. Apply over the chinking. It can even be used over the entire wall if desired, but would be a lot of work. 4 You can oil the logs also. 5 you can lime plaster the inside of the fireplace
Wow, I was subscribed when you guys first started putting up cabin videos. It's amazing to think that was 3 years ago! how time flies and I am impressed with how well it's held up and all the amazing homestead content since then. I really enjoy seeing the new additions you guys build for the homestead!
You need a roof for the chimney that extends a few inches beyond the borders and sits on four legs at least 3" tall. The sides are the vents but the roof keeps water etc out. This channel is so cool.
I was there at the beginning of the cabin build. Actually way before then. To be honest the work you have did on the homestead is some of my favorite videos on all of RU-vid. I love learning how to do stuff like that.
I unfortunately don’t remember how I found your channel about 5 years ago John but what I do know is that your channel is now a very important part of my life and you have inspired me more than you could ever know. Thank you for everything that you do
My first video that I watched was the cob oven videos from way back in 2011. I play RPGs and I was looking for info on medieval baking and how a shipwrecked group of people could start to thrive if stranded in an unpopulated area. I found your channel and have been subscribed ever since. So much fun and education. Thank you.
@@Mokey56001 Look for a list of "Robinsonade" (Robinson-odd) books. Those are books about people living like Crusoe. "Swiss Family Robinson" is a poor example; they had a whole colony ship to loot, and an island containing every kind of life, from penguins to ostriches to horses!
I live in a pioneer log hut in Australia - built using horizontal slabs in 1893 with a shingle roof and mud floor. The floor has been upgraded, there's tin over the shingles, and half the log walls rotted away - but its still here and it is a lovely home
You started the cabin shortly after I started watching your channel! It's been such a fun journey to watch. Thanks for taking us all along. Your channel has been a blessing to me through several years of surgeries and extended periods of bedrest; thank you for providing an artistic, educational, wholesome space that gave me something meaningful to watch when I was tired and discouraged. I'm not able to participate much in the historical/re-enacting community, but this channel makes me still feel connected. THANK YOU! :)
I've been watching the channel since it was "How to use Shoe Buckles", and the like. The evolution of the channel is a testament to Jon's love of history, and we get to benefit from it. I have learned so much over the years and want to thank the entire Townsends team for it. Thank you "Professor Nutmeg" and your entire team.
Jon and crew - have fallen in like with your channel! I have cooked many of your recipes and was given an old cook book by my mother; I really enjoy the 'homestead' videos as well (I can't believe its been 3 years since the cabin!) and love your readings and especially the Nutmeg tavern talks and explanations. One thing I came away with is a deep appreciation of what many of our forefathers went through to get us 'here' .. and how easy we have it now (relatively speaking). Thank you for keeping it politically free! Hope you all are still interested in doing more videos in the future!
Love the follow up on this project... I imagine the upkeep of structures like this was nearly constant. You do as good a job as any channel helping me to appreciate the struggles of many of our ancestors, videos like this really help. Maybe next year you could get one member of your team to volunteer spending the winter in the cabin and film it. I'm sure it wouldn't be fun most days, heck maybe they even quit half way through, but it would be very educational
I am originally from a very large farm in Alberta, Canada. I remember staying in a log house, while the new house was being built. It had a wood burning stove, a kitchen, a room next to the kitchen, where me and my siblings and dad slept. There was a room upstairs. It was very nice with the wood burning stove. When I was out in the country, I would see very old homes and barns in fields. They have a history behind them. It definitely is fascinating how they made homes in the early days in Canada and the United States. This cabin turned out great. Thanks for the awesome videos, and the great quality content. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Cheers!
This was a great build and I appreciate all of Mr. Townsends' and his team's work to show us how our ancestors survived so many years ago. I am curious about one thing though. On the cabin build, why did they leave one side of the peak of the roof longer than the other? Anyway, thank you and your team Mr. Townsends for all your work for us. Please keep it up. 🙂 Stay safe everyone. 🙂😎
My kids and I have loved watching your homestead grow from day 1. The brick making process might be our favorite series of videos. Thank you for documenting such a beautiful and fascinating project! It's amazing how much you have done.
I remember when you first started talking about building a log cabin & have watched the progression of the cabin & the homestead. It's one thing to read about this in books, but another thing entirely to see the actual process. Seems like this used to be a skill many of our pioneers used to have (to be able to build their own home) & glad you are keeping this information alive in a way that is very engaging.
This is my favourite project on RU-vid, please keep adding to the homestead. I don't have the space to do anything like this, so it's great to be able to see you do it.
I've been watching your channel for years. Hands down the cabin videos are my favorite. I watched you go on the journey to decide which type of cabin to build and then I watched you build this one. I have rewatched this series repeatedly because I think it is so fun. I'm glad you gave an update on the cabin!
From the first video inside the cabin, it's been obvious how much you love an enjoy it. The whole team should take enormous pride in the cabin and all the videos about it it and filmed in it.
I remember this when it first started and waiting for the update videos. Looked like incredibly back breaking work felling, trimming, and setting the logs by hand, but you got it done RIGHT as the snow started to fall. Completely forgot about the bark roof AND that it was filmed that long ago >.< Nice to see updates like this to know it was a success.
I watched from the beginning when you started building the cabin and it has been fascinating to watch the progress and the lessons you’ve learned knowing that people of the frontier in the 18th century must’ve had the same thoughts, feelings and sense of accomplishment. Its been a great ride and I look forward to seeing the new things that happen on the homestead.
I've been watching since before the homestead and this is one of my favorite series. Starting from nothing and using the local environment to create a place to live and work is impressive and comforting. I love the cooking episodes, I love the blacksmith episodes, I love the building episodes. It's been great and I always look forward to more :)
I started watching you channel just before you started the homestead project and it's been such a treat to follow along with all the additions you've made. I dabble in writing historical fiction and you provide excellent insights into the everyday lives of people from the past.
I've watched your channel for several years and I adore the passion you and the people you know put toward the work that is done be it cooking, crafting or building! Keep up the hard work and teaching and bless you all
Been following since this was really just a cooking channel. Been amazing, have learned so much and have learned to appreciate so much of the history you have recreated for us
Really nice project with the cabin. I feel it would be the right time to start getting some furniture in there, maybe a desk, a cupboard or some king of sleeping place
Love to see the progress that's been made over the last 3 years! I remember when you first build the main cabin and was so excited to see the process and from there the channel and the homestead has grown. Can't wait to see what you build next!
Been enjoying cooking with you for what seems a lifetime and following the homestead as well. You all are a fantastic asset and resource! Thank you! Thank you!
I'd imagine in rocky states, like PA, the bottom touching the ground may have been assembled from rocks. Use what you have, of course. I'm glad you started doing videos like this, you seem much happier than just doing only the cooking videos. And having a variety of helpers in the process too.
I used to dream of building a small log cabin and spent hours reading and researching. When you started the cabin I was so excited to watch. My dream stayed only a dream but I sure daydreamed a bunch more watching you all do it! My favorite videos, along with lanterns, candles, and the beans-bacon in the small cast pot. I got famous amoungst the family for making that one! 😘😊 Love your channel!
I've been watching your videos for about 4 years, and in addition to enjoying their great quality they show me how my northern European ancestors would have survived as they made their way from 17th century Virginia through the Carolinas and Georgia and on to 19th century Texas. Thank you for all the research and stories and filming you are doing.
My family and I have been there since the beginning. Thanks so much! We love the old videos and are always looking out for new ones. Thanks John, Michael, and Ryan.... btw, we would love to see more of Nicole!! Knitting, crochet, tatting, sewing, more of her would be awesome. If you could include historical patterns to follow it would be amazing. Thank you!!
I've been watching your channel since long before the cabin video and been following this series since it started. I'd seen other videos about how log cabins were built before, but so few other videos go into more detail about what life in a log cabin looks like after that. That's what I admire most about this series - it talks about so much more than just the construction of the cabin and looks at what happens after months and years after it's done.
Been watching your videos going on 5 years now. I love every minute of it. Your videos are very well produced and the historical information is well presented. Thank you for doing what you do. I hope someday your homestead will be open for visitors!
