In September 1977, nationwide Forestry Days were held in Rõuge. For the occasion, an exhibition introducing Võrumaa was planned, and a suitable building was needed. The idea came from Jakob Pettai, the Võrumaa nature conservation inspector of the time, also from Rõuge, to bring in a traditional log granary. A suitable old granary was found a few dozen kilometres away and transported to the site intact on a trailer — a bold undertaking given the machinery and road conditions of the time.

The opening of the granary was marked by tree planting. On the initiative of Võrumaa forestry workers, a grove of 28 oak trees was planted on the slope of Ööbikuorg. This event can be seen as the beginning of the purposeful development of nature tourism in Võrumaa. Later, stairs, hiking trails, and a stage for performances were added to Ööbikuorg.