Funding
- Lumber Heritage Region: $5,000
- Total Project Cost: $37,262.22 (WSF partnered with multiple organizations, including: PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Lumber Heritage Region Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group Cochran Zandi Lumber New Growth Resources, and more!
Type of Project
Discovered and preserved through the efforts of local historians and conservation advocates, the “Sheffield Log” stands as a powerful symbol of the region’s natural history, the resilience of its people, and the enduring value of sustainable forestry. Its journey — from the woods of the Allegheny, to being knocked down during the tornado of1985, to the park in Sheffield during their Sesquicentennial, to its permanent home at the Wilds Sonshine Factory — is a story worth celebrating. The newly restored Colossal Black Cherry now rests beneath a weather-protected pavilion, accompanied by a series of educational panels.
Project Details
The “Refurbished Sheffield Log” project began in 2022, when the Wilds Sonshine Factory (WSF) was alerted by a local timber industry member that a historic log once housed in Sheffield Park was destined to be destroyed. Recognizing its significance to the local timber industry, WSF stepped forward to preserve it. With available space, resources, and a strong commitment to timber education, we offered to “re-home” the log at our facility in Kane rather than see it lost forever.
A Landmark for Education and Heritage
The log—now known as “The Colossal Black Cherry”—is more than a preserved piece of wood. It is a powerful storytelling tool and a local landmark that connects visitors to Pennsylvania’s timber heritage. At WSF, it will anchor a series of educational displays that highlight:
-
The many uses of forest products
-
The importance of forest habitat diversity
-
The principles of sustainability in forestry
Through these panels and exhibits, guests can explore Pennsylvania’s rich natural resources, from historic roots to modern forestry practices.
A New Home in Kane
After a long journey across the Alleghenies, the log now sits proudly at WSF under a beautifully crafted rustic pavilion, illuminated from dusk to dawn. Visitors can view the log up close while learning about its history, the evolution of Pennsylvania’s forest industry, and the natural cycle that has shaped our forests over time.
Complementing the log are additional historical artifacts, including:
-
An aging skidder poised on a towering rock mound
-
The original Sheffield Park sign, refurbished for display
-
Other industry artifacts representing Pennsylvania’s logging and lumber heritage
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
The “Refurbished Sheffield Log” is not only a tribute to the past—it is a living lesson for today and tomorrow. By blending history, conservation, and education, WSF ensures that this remarkable piece of Pennsylvania’s timber legacy continues to inspire conversations about sustainability and the enduring value of our forests.
