The Greer House Rediscovered

written by Rick Laws, Joseph Greer Chapter

In the Spring of 2016, the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Center for Historic Preservation their report (Joseph Greer Cabin Report.pdf), which supplied much information about this patriot’s life, house, and condition of the remains. The MTSU report recommended methods of keeping the structure to include building a roof over the remains, building a façade with the remaining materials, to restore the complete house. Time passed, and the current owners of the land did not want to have the house restored or visitors on their property (MTSU, 2016).

In 2018 compatriots of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) coordinated with the landowners/family and were allowed to disassemble and take the remaining logs and stones of the Joseph Greer house to Camp Blount It is at Camp Blount where many of the original logs and stones are stored/covered in preparation for the house restoration.

The Greer House will be reconstructed at the Camp Blount Historic Site, in coordination with the City of Fayetteville, TN, Lincoln County, and the State of Tennessee. The creation and ongoing development of the Camp Blount Historic Site is a collaborative effort between the Tennessee Historical and Wars Commissions (TN Department of Environment and Conservation), local government, and the Camp Blount Historic Site Association. The 40-acre Camp Blount property was officially bought by the Tennessee Historical Commission in October of 2016 to be developed as the Camp Blount Historic Site includes: several trails composed of the stories of the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson became President Andrew Jackson, the Creek & Cherokee Indian Involvement, wayside informational markers, the Volunteer Statue dedicated to Tennessee's First Volunteers, and other educational facilities.


Image of the Joseph Greer house as depicted on the cover of the 2016 MTSU report.


The following is a story excerpt from the Elk Valley Times, which tells the story of how the Greer House is to be rebuilt at Camp Blount, Fayetteville, Tennessee.

Thanks to efforts by local historians and the Gill family of Petersburg, who owns the land on which the over 200-year-old Greer house was originally built, another piece of Lincoln County’s rich history will be on display at the new state historical site along the Elk River in Fayetteville.

One of the most significant pieces of local history, the Greer house has survived the passage of time, although the structure will need significant work to be restored as closely as possible to the original home, constructed around 1810 1 . The priceless treasure, however, hidden in plain sight, very nearly went unknown for its historical significance if not for the efforts of the Gills and a team of student historians from Middle Tennessee State University.


The historic Joseph Greer cabin will be moved from the Gill farm near Petersburg to Camp Blount Historic Site. Pausing for a photo at the cabin are (from left) Colin Wakefield and Bill Wendt from the Joseph Greer Sons of American Revolution (SAR) Chapter and members of the Gill family, Gloria Gill Meadows, Warren Gill, and Alan Gill. Courtesy of the Elk Valley Times -

Siblings Warren Gill, Alan Gill and Gloria Gill Meadows were aware of the Greer family connection to their farm near Petersburg, even growing up in a home passed down through the Greer line; however, a structure the Gills knew only as a simple tenant house on the property has now been verified as Joseph Greer’s original log house.

“We played in it when we were kids,” Warren recalled. “Daddy tried to keep it up as a tenant house, but it got away from him. We just didn’t know the value.”

In recent years, Warren just happened to pick up a copy of a newsletter published by the Lincoln County Historical Society while visiting his in-laws. There, he read an article about Joseph Greer and saw a picture of Greer’s original house, although the caption under the photo showed the structure had been destroyed — “I recognized it immediately,” Warren said.

The family remained skeptical, they admit, not knowing whether to genuinely believe that the historic house belonged to Greer and had remained intact on their farm for over two hundred years.

“He (Joseph Greer) moved here first and later built a nicer home up the road,” Gloria said, standing at the site of the historic structure. “I think my parents just always thought that (newer home) was the Greer home. We just really didn’t realize until they came down from MTSU.”

The report detailed by the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation confirmed the structure was indeed the original Joseph Greer house and included a photo from the Tennessee State Museum of Joseph Greer’s son, Thomas, on the porch of the house — “I was real skeptical about the whole thing until I saw that picture,” said Alan, calling the house “a newfound treasure on the homeplace.”

Historical Note — Although the Joseph Greer House is said to be dated about 1810, a closer review of the historical information places the original house closer to 1804. Joseph Greer built a second house six years after the original house (1810). The second house was destroyed to build a modern (20th century) house on the site. The details and reasoning for this are discussed in later pages of this book.

An Idea is Born

Bill Wendt (at left) and Colin Wakefield, members of the Joseph Greer Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Chapter, measure logs in the historic Joseph Greer cabin on the Gill farm near Petersburg. Working with the Gill family, the SAR plans to restore the cabin and move it to Camp Blount Historic Site near the Elk River in Fayetteville. Courtesy of the Elk Valley Times significance of the Greer house, expressing the belief that concerted efforts can ensure its preservation and contribute to the profound historical narrative of Lincoln County (Newspaper, 2018).

The Elk Valley Times, a local newspaper of Fayetteville Tennessee, covered a significant development in the recovery and restoration initiative for the Joseph Greer house. Colin Wakefield, a local history enthusiast and resolute member of the Joseph Greer Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Chapter, as well as the Camp Blount Historic Site Association (CBHSA), played a pivotal role in spearheading this endeavor. Wakefield was alerted to the MTSU report by Bobby Prosser, head of the Chestnut Ridge Cousins group, and recognizing the historical importance of the Greer house, he felt compelled to lead an effort for its preservation and potential restoration.

Wakefield's realization that the SAR chapter needed to intervene was the catalyst for a collective effort to save the Greer house. He envisioned moving it to the Camp Blount Historic Site, aligning with the site's overlay that calls for a "pioneer" house. The SAR chapter, in collaboration with the Historic Site Association, began exploring the feasibility of this ambitious preservation project.

A valuable asset to the SAR chapter, Bill Wendt, an experienced member with the ability to dismantle and reassemble log house structures, joined Wakefield in assessing the Greer house. While acknowledging the rough condition of the structure, Wendt expressed confidence in salvaging the original elements while replacing decayed wood and reconstructing the house.

The immediate next steps involve meticulous documentation, photography, and numbering of the logs. Preservation efforts include moving them indoors or covering the recovered materials to protect against the elements, marking the commencement of what is expected to be a thorough and time-intensive restoration process. Despite challenges such as time constraints and financial considerations, the SAR chapter, under Wakefield's leadership, is still committed to the preservation of this historically significant structure.

In terms of funding, Wakefield is hopeful to secure financial support from contributions and grants. The collaborative efforts of the Gill family, the Greer SAR Chapter, the Camp Blount Historic Site Association, the Tennessee State Historical Commission, and potential supporters are crucial to the success of this ambitious undertaking.

Looking to the future, the Gills and Wakefield share a common vision for the Greer house to breathe new life, particularly on the historic grounds of Camp Blount. Recognizing the enduring value of this initiative, they view it as a legacy to be passed down through generations, contributing to the rich history of the region. Despite the challenges and the rough condition of the structure, the collaborative spirit instills confidence in the project's success. Wakefield emphasizes the historical significance of the Greer house, expressing the belief that concerted efforts can ensure its preservation and contribute to the profound historical narrative of Lincoln County (Newspaper, 2018) .

The Decision to Relocate the House

Cumberland Road Wagons - Stretching from Cumberland, Maryland, to St. Louis, Missouri, the Cumberland Road was the first road funded by the U.S. federal government, approved by congress in 1806. It was a popular route for commercial trade in the 1840s by Conestoga wagons.


The MTSU Report recommended three different methods for preservation of the Joseph Greer House. Unfortunately two of the three suggestions were not acceptable as the owner of the land where the house was located did not want a tourist attraction, and the preservation would be of a ruin. The SAR members mentioned earlier decided that the relocation of the house to create an interpretive venue to be the better option.

Relocating a historic building is a complex but sometimes necessary strategy for preservation. While it offers a potential lifeline to a threatened structure, the process carries inherent financial, logistical, and cultural challenges. It is an endeavor that demands meticulous planning, both to ensure the building's physical integrity and to address the significant shift in its historical context. Decisions of this magnitude require careful consideration, as the risks and costs involved are substantial. (TOMASZ)

The physical act of moving a building can strain its structural fabric, and the relocation itself inevitably alters its relationship to its original environment. However, in cases where a building faces imminent destruction or environmental threats, relocation can be an effective means of safeguarding its utility, historical significance, and aesthetic value. Though often regarded by preservationists as a last resort, the relocation of historic structures has a long history, shaped by both necessity and innovation.

Historically, buildings were relocated for practical reasons—protection from flooding, proximity to resources, or shifts in land use. As the historic preservation movement gained traction, awareness grew about the cultural and aesthetic importance of these structures, leading to more intentional efforts to preserve them. The National Historic Preservation Act formalized this shift, introducing guidelines for the inclusion of relocated buildings in the National Register of Historic Places and shaping public policies to balance development and preservation.

For those considering such a project, preparation is paramount. The building's current condition and historical significance must be thoroughly assessed. A suitable new site must be identified, one that respects the structure’s historical narrative and practical needs. Understanding the technical aspects of the relocation process, how the building will be disassembled, transported, and reassembled—is equally critical, as is developing a realistic budget that accounts for unforeseen challenges.

Relocating a historic building involves a network of professionals, each bringing essential expertise. Architects and engineers assess and plan for structural integrity. Contractors and specialized building movers handle the physical transport, while financial officers and government officials address funding, permits, and compliance with preservation standards.

In the end, while moving a historic building is never an easy choice, it can be a powerful tool for extending the life and legacy of a structure that might otherwise be lost. When done with care and respect for both the building and its historical significance, relocation serves as a bridge between preservation and progress, ensuring that a piece of the past continues to enrich the future. In the case of the Joseph Greer House the relocation not only allowed for the preservation of the remaining structure but created an interpretive historical venue for the Camp Blount Historic Site (GOBLET, 2006).
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