By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Before the 2024 Chautauqua season, a group of dedicated volunteers renovated the Lakeside Cabins on Seventh Street. Soon after finishing that project, the same team, joined by a few new members, took on a new challenge: updating a Lakeside cottage.
This group of do-it-yourselfers, known as the Cabin Crew, worked on a home built in 1960 that has carried two names over the years: The Director’s House and The Artist’s House.
“We spent 1,200 hours this last fall and spring on the house,” said Cabin Crew member Char Wilkerson. “We want people who might not be aware of it to know that it’s here, and it’s rentable.”
Before starting the updates, Lakeside identified two important needs. First, during a 12-week stretch last year, the house sat empty or had only one guest for half that time. Second, there was growing demand for housing large families, groups and reunions. With that in mind, the cottage was converted into a rental. It features four bedrooms, including a bunk room, along with 2.5 baths, a washer and dryer, and space for up to 14 guests.
“The house is perfect for large groups,” Wilkerson said. “It’s spacious and has plenty of sleeping room.”
The Cabin Crew removed carpet, peeled wallpaper, repainted and added furniture, bedding, mattress covers, bedspreads and other decorative touches. Like with the cabins, each bedroom has its own theme: “Perfect Harmony,” “Goodnight Moon” and “You are My Sunshine.”
The cottage is single level with no stairs inside. Amenities include a game room with board games, a table, pullout couch and daybed; dining areas; two refrigerators; an oven; dishwasher; a porch with plenty of seating; and a large driveway. Located across from the overflow parking area on Seventh Street, the cottage offers convenient extra parking.
Outside, Lakeside’s Maintenance and Grounds Teams handled the landscaping, gutter improvements and touch-up painting.
To celebrate the renovation, the cottage was featured on the 2025 Lakeside Women’s Club Tour of Cottages. Visitors were invited to suggest new names, and from more than 100 entries, the most popular choice was “Gathering.” The rental will now be called The Gathering on Seventh.
“We wanted to give it a new name,” Wilkerson said. “That’s when we came up with the idea of getting people involved. The name has a good feel to it, because this is being used toward gathering friends and family or multiple families.”
The cottage, located at 312 W. Seventh Street, rents through Lakeside’s Cottage Rentals. To book or learn more, contact 419-798-4461, ext. 348.
Meanwhile, the Cabin Crew has already started their next project: refurbishing Erie Guest House. Work will continue through fall and winter, with completion expected by next summer. The Crew also welcomes donations of furniture, appliances, lamps, curtains or decorative items. Contact Wilkerson at [email protected].
“We did a lot in the little time we had in the Erie Guest House,” Wilkerson said. “We still have a lot to do, but it will be completed by next season.”
Cabin Crew members: Char Wilkerson, Len Forinash, Molly & Steve Adams, Nancy Adams, Kathy Dale, Marko Farlow, Barb Hoffman, Brad Hoopes, Sherry Kapes, Ginger & Jerry Leonard, Chris Maeder, Carol Raber, Connie Roop, Dave Strauch, Stephanie Thompson, Kathy Venema, Barbara Browning and Sally Lenhart.
