For more than 30 years, the Hodgepodge Lodge endured a battering from the elements.
The floor was missing, the stone chimney destroyed, and the roof bore a large hole.
But with the recent efforts of volunteers and donors, and months of hammering and painting, the cabin that was the iconic namesake of a popular public television show has been relocated and restored. The 8-by-10-foot structure was moved from its longtime home in Owings Mills to the Howard County Conservancy, where it will serve as an interactive nature exhibit for children.
"It's going to be interesting and inviting to kids," said Meg Schumacher, executive director of the conservancy. "And so many parents have really fond memories of [the show]."
The project suits the conservancy's goal of providing youngsters a chance to explore the outdoors, Schumacher said. "There's been an effort to get children to go outside and play in the natural world," she said. "The idea is that we want hands-on environmental activities."
The restoration was completed Friday, and the cabin is set to be dedicated to Jean Worthley, aka "Miss Jean," the friendly and familiar former host of the Maryland Public Television show Hodgepodge Lodge. The dedication is scheduled for Saturday as part of the conservancy's Fall Festival.
Hodgepodge Lodge was a popular children's show that ran from 1970 to 1977, according to MPT. The show was syndicated nationally and carried on education-oriented stations from Maine to the District of Columbia.
Miss Jean took children - and cameras - on field trips to explore nature, visiting places such as cliffs and swamps.
"Every day, we were learning about something new, and that was pretty impressive," said George Beneman, MPT's vice president of technology.
Beneman was in his 20s when he was part of the studio crew for the show.
"There are lots of adults now who grew up on Hodgepodge Lodge and hopefully are sharing that with their children," he said.
The conservancy is the county's only environmental education center, made up of 232 acres donated by Frances and Ruth Brown, sisters who wanted the land to be donated and used for educational purposes after they died, Schumacher said.
Even Worthley is surprised by the cabin's longevity.
"It was built to be a set in 1969, and it was only supposed to last for a few years," she said. "I think it's pretty amazing."
