It’s important to keep warmth
Richard placed a high value on having a hearth in his new wood cabin home. It wouldn’t be a genuine log home without one, and it would contribute to the attractiveness of country living that he was aiming for.
The Aikens picked a Rumford fireplace because it was popular in log cabins between 1796 and 1850. The fireplace was a decision that would later contribute to the home’s rustic charm.