Zoar Association buys Bimeler Cabin, believed to be village's oldest building

ZOAR ‒ The Zoar Community Association has acquired the 1817 Bimeler Cabin, believed to be the oldest structure in the historic village.

Purchased from the Gus Ruetenik family, who owned and maintained it for nearly a century, the Bimeler Cabin served both as the original residence of Joseph Bimeler, Zoar’s leader, and the first church and meeting house for the early Separatists.

Zoar was settled in 1817 by religious Separatists from Germany. It was a communal society until the society was dissolved in 1898.

More Zoar news: Getting involved: Tom Klingaman wants younger people to become active in Zoar

The cabin is located at 193 W. Fourth St., across from the Garden House and the Zoar Garden.

"We're very enthused about the purchase," said Jon Elsasser, president of the Zoar Community Association. "It's a great opportunity for us. It's nice that the Ruetenik family gave us first opportunity to purchase it." The association paid $107,500 for the cabin, with five donors covering the cost.

The three-room cabin has about 940 square feet of living space, according to the Tuscarawas County Auditor's website.

Restoration work

Elsasser said the cabin needs a fair amount of work to restore it. Repairs are needed to the roof and to some of the logs. The interior is in good shape. The project should take at least a year to complete.

The organization will also need to get the cabin hooked up to the county water system. Currently, it uses spring water. It is already hooked up to the county sewer system.

"It's an important building to preserve," he said.

Plans call for the cabin to be used for interpretive purposes. "We want to use it to tell the history of Zoar," Elsasser said. In 1817, Bimeler was living in a small log cabin. By 1835, he was living in the Number One House, which has 9,000 square feet of living space.

"The progress they made in 18 short years is pretty astounding," Elsasser said.

The Zoar Community Association is seeking donations to help fund the restoration project. The overall fundraising goal for the restoration is more than $100,000 with $24,000 already in place.

Donations can be made through the association's website at www.historiczoarvillage.com , via GoFundMe https://gofund.me/ca841d0a or by check payable to Zoar Community Association, addressed to P.O. Box 621, Zoar, Ohio 44697.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Zoar Association buys Bimeler Cabin, believed to be village's oldest building