More than three decades of Nebraska State Fair visitors strolled past the log cabin in Heritage Park.

Most probably had their minds more on the midway than the story behind the T.J. Hudson Cabin.

But as it turns out, Lincoln's oldest building has some fans who care more about history than food on a stick.

About two dozen attended a meeting Monday afternoon at the Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P streets. With the pending transfer of State Fair Park to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, they expressed support for moving the 145-year-old cabin to a place where it will be appreciated and preserved.

Some seemed bewildered that such a meeting was even necessary.

"Why would you have to think about preserving it?" asked John Strope, secretary of the Preservation Association of Lincoln.

The meeting, designed to collect ideas on what to do with the cabin, was facilitated by Michael Smith, director of the Nebraska State Historical Society.

The tiny home actually predates Lincoln. When Thomas Jefferson Hudson, his wife, Lucinda, and their three children arrived here from Indiana in late 1863, the cluster of dugout dwellings just north of their homestead was called Lancaster.

On Monday, representatives from Camp Creek Threshers offered to put the cabin on their show grounds near Waverly.

The hosts of one of the nation's largest working exhibits of antique farm machinery said the cabin would fit perfectly in their pioneer village, which already includes a church, school and railroad depot.

Others feel the cabin shouldn't leave Lincoln.

Darlene Miltner, who was a docent at the cabin during many state fairs, said the Hudsons were dairy farmers who delivered milk in Lincoln. It's possible, therefore, that Lucinda Hudson was the city's first businesswoman.

One reason the cabin is in good condition can be attributed to a quirk in its history. It had been plastered over and made into the living room of another, more modern house. When different homeowners tried to remodel in the 1960s, they discovered the log walls behind the plaster.

Former Lincoln Mayor Dean Petersen bought the cabin for $5,000 and eventually gave it to the state Historical Society, which, in turn, gave it to the State Fair in 1976 for inclusion in Heritage Village.

Petersen's son, also named Dean, said Monday the cabin should stay right where his father intended it.

"Let the university build around it," he said.

Several people suggested moving the cabin to Pioneers Park, where the Heritage School recently moved. City Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson said he would investigate the possibility.

Smith asked both Johnson and Camp Creek Threshers to draw up proposals for a second meeting at the museum, set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 23.

Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.