The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Patterson Cabin

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Patterson Cabin (three-quarter view), Transylvania University

Institution Name: Transylvania University
Original/Historic Place Name: Colonel Robert Patterson Log Cabin
Location on Campus: 300 N. Broadway
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

ca. 1778-1780	original construction Patterson, Colonel Robert
1939	relocation Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: fieldstone

Walls: logs

Roof: none specified

Function:

ca. 1780	other (single room cabin)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	other (monument)

Significance: architecture, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The log cabin erected by Colonel Robert Patterson, ca. 1778-1780, may have been Lexington's first dwelling. Throughout its long history the cabin has been moved many times, including a 37 year stay in Dayton, Ohio. It was returned to Lexington in 1939 and presented to Transylvania University. Though taken apart and rebuilt, remodeled and restored several times, the Patterson cabin is a valuable monument because of its unique survival.

Colonel Robert Patterson participated in the founding of Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. He also served as one of the early Trustees of Transylvania College.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Wright, John D. Transylvania, Tutor to the West. Rev. ed. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 1980.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Unknown
—details: Archives, Transylvania University.