Early Houses In Colonial New England Colonial

In the late 1500s and early 1600s, when the first settlers came to North America, houses in England had steep roofs, massive chimneys, and details that had survived from Medieval times. The Colonists continued these building traditions through the 1600s and well into the 1700s in some areas. Since these homes were constructed of wood, few original New England Colonials are still standing.

The New England Colonial shown was the home of Rebecca Nurse, who was executed in the Salem Witch Trials. Built in about 1678, the house has two rooms on the first floor and two rooms above. A large chimney runs through the center of the main house. A kitchen lean-to addition with its own chimney was built in about 1720. Another addition was constructed in 1850.

The Rebecca Nurse house has its original floors, walls, and beams. However, like most homes from this period, the house has been extensively restored.

Early New England Colonial houses had many of these features:

* Usually located in the northeastern USA, mostly in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York.
* Steep roof with side gables
* Lean-to addtion with saltbox roof
* Narrow eaves
* Large chimney at the center
* Two stories
* In some cases, the second story slightly protrudes over the lower floor
* Wood framed with clapboard or shingles
* Small casement windows, some with diamond-shaped panes
* Little exterior ornamentation

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