To preserve the Colonel Davenport House and site to interpret the social history and material culture of the early 19th century contained therein for the benefit of the public.

History

Based on a Federal Style, the Colonel Davenport House was built using technology known by a local carpenter. His method was to build the skeleton of the house as if it were a log structure. The logs were squared using axes and adzes and then notched to fit tightly against each other. Furring strips were then secured to the exterior, and pine clapboards were attached.

Later, more conventional building techniques of frame construction were used. East and west wings were added to the house. A kitchen wing on the south was added. A small porch ran the length of the house. Davenport used the west wing as an office. The house was the center of a number of buildings, as many as thirteen. These additional buildings acted as warehouses and storehouses for the trading network.

After the Civil War, the house deteriorated and eventually fell to the ravages of local souvenir hunters and vandals. In 1907, restoration began. In 1988 the Colonel Davenport Historical Foundation raised funds and restored the roof, siding, windows, front porch and west wing. The Federal Government and the U.S. Army have contributed no money to this project.

The Colonel Davenport Historical Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Davenport House. It relies on private donations to support its activities and restoration efforts. The Foundation relies on volunteers to maintain and operate the house.