Introduction
To those who pass by the old, sometimes shuttered, log structure on Pine Street in Brighton, it's simply that - an old structure, of no particular interest except perhaps it is old and still standing. What they don't see is that the Balsam Hill Cabin has sheltered six generations, all descendants of its builders, James and Leoline Brown. They can't see the smiles and hear the laughter that every generation has known while spending memorable days, weeks, weekends, summers and winters in its care. Only those who lived within its walls, and have seen previous generations grow old there, can understand its allure. The casual passers-by can't smell the bacon cooking, with its enticing aroma rising through the not-so tightly chinked logs allowing it to permeate the upstairs bedrooms and daring those still sleeping to begin the day. They've never experienced countless hours on the screened porch, playing games, reading, napping or simply having light-hearted conversations with family and friends. They haven't picnicked on the Big Rock in the backyard with cousins or played in the grove not too far from the bell that will call them back for meals. Only those who have witnessed the younger generations smile with delight at each "newly" discovered part of Brighton, (but which, of course, had been discovered multiple times before), can appreciate the nature of each unique memory created.
A case can be made that Balsam Hill has embraced each generation and looked over it as much as each generation has done so in return. One hundred and eight years later, the old, sometimes shuttered, log structure is still standing and it is inviting to those who know it.