Sean Perry stands alongside Cook Cabin after his crew’s week-long volunteer project restoring its porch.
Asheville contractor donates labor for Smokies cabin
by Karen Chávez, environment reporter
Asheville Citizen-Times
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – Asheville contractor Sean Perry was on a backcountry training run in the Smokies last year, getting his legs and lungs prepped for the punishing, nearly 18-mile Shut-In Ridge Trail Run in Asheville.
It was in the magic, “adventurous feeling” time between dusk and dark, when ancient cabins started to pop up around him. Upon close inspection, Perry noticed they were well over 100 years old, and had the sloping, swaying porches, unstable foundations and rotting wood to prove it.
Perry, who runs The Hands of Sean Perry Co., specializing in historic home renovations and additions, had a light bulb moment, and decided he needed to bring his love, attention and expertise to the lonely Smokies cabins.
