Experience history at hand-made attractions

John Osteen is opening to the public his log cabin, smokehouse, one-room schoolhouse, Confederate museum and other attractions this Saturday and Sunday.

The long-time Aiken County resident, a fixture at the annual Battle of Aiken dressed in a Confederate soldier's uniform, has a love for history and loves sharing that history with others.

"Everything out there I built from scratch except the smokehouse," Osteen said. "It amazes some people. It carries older people back to their childhood, and it fascinates younger people.

"It gives me pleasure to do this," he said.

Osteen built the cabin in 1976, in celebration of the bicentennial year. While visiting the cabin, guests will notice several old-fashioned highlights, such as kerosene lamps, sausage grinders, butter churns, old-fashioned cookware and an old-fashioned cooking stove.

In the smokehouse, meat will be hanging, and guests can view a sugar cane mill.

The Confederate museum features artifacts from other wars such as World War I and World War II, which will also be on display, as well as documents tracing Osteen's family history.

The schoolhouse is a replica of Reid Schoolhouse in Sumter County.

"I put on a pretty show," Osteen said.

This year, he will do it without his wife of many years, Essie, who passed away in September. Osteen said she loved helping him host the public every year at the log cabin. She always had a special treat for those who visited.

The log cabin and other attractions will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. There is no charge.

Osteen's property is in Couchton on Highway 302, across the street from Couchton Baptist Church. For more information, call Osteen at 507-2268.