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Shadrach Standish House
Shadrach Standish House

Timber-frame Houses in the Historic American Buildings Survey

A Select List

Page 1: Introduction, Connecticut through Massachusetts

Shadrach Standish House
Shadrach Standish House

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Introduction

In colonial America, and particularly New England, the abundance of wood and the English tradition of building made the timber frame house popular. Until balloon frame construction began to supersede it in the mid-1800s, timber frame construction was the construction method for all frame houses in 17th and 18th century America. Timber framing, often called post-and-beam construction, is a form of carpentry which involves taking large pieces of wood and joining them together with woodworking joints, using mortise-and-tenon construction, without metal construction such as nails. Wooden pegs, bents, braces, and sometimes trusses are employed. Many types of colonial houses can be considered to be timber-frame houses, including saltbox houses.

Since the 1970s the timber frame house has grown in favor following a revival of interest in traditional methods of construction. The Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record has documented timber frame houses since its inception in 1933 and continues to do so.

This select list includes examples of HABS-documented timber-frame buildings where the documentation in its entirety provides a good picture of the building and shows some aspect of framing. All examples include drawing documentation (except for Sarum in Maryland, which has extensive photos of framing). Saltbox houses are included in this list when their framing is particularly featured; see the separate Saltbox Houses reference aid for a fuller selection of HABS-documented sites that are especially good examples of that house type.

Select the small image to view a larger version. Select the Call Number of the structure to retrieve, via the Prints and Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC), a bibliographic record for the entire group of documentation. The bibliographic record will provide fuller information about the house in question (such as owners' names) and may include other photographs and/or other types of documentation.

Images can be downloaded from this site. The Library of Congress cannot give or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections, but a rights statement for the Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record is available. Photographic and other types of copies can also be ordered from the Library of Congress Photoduplication Service by selecting the "How to Order a Copy of This Item" link in the bibliographic record and following the instructions given there.

Connecticut

General Walker House, Stratford, Fairfield County
Built 1690.
Call number: HABS CONN, 1-STRAT, 1-
General Walker House
HABS CONN, 1-STRAT, 1-3
southeast elevation
General Walker House
HABS CT-66, sheet 3 of 10
east (front) elevation
Glebe House, Hollow Road, Woodbury, Litchfield County
Built 1771 [information from: White Pine Series, vol. 2, no. 5, page 9]
Call number: HABS CONN, 3-WOO, 1-
[No Photos] Glebe House
HABS CT-324, sheet 5 of 9
south elevation
Nathaniel Baker House, North Plain, Middlesex County
Built late 17th century
Call number: HABS CONN, 4-NOPLA, 1-
Nathaniel Baker House
HABS CONN, 4-NOPLA, 1-1
northwest elevation
Nathaniel Baker House, drawing, west elevation
HABS CT-41, sheet 8 of 10
posts
Colonel Stephen Ford House, Milford, New Haven County
Built 1685.
Call number: HABS, CONN,5-MILF,2-
Colonel Stephen Ford House
HABS CONN, 8-MILF, 2-1
southeast elevation
Colonel Stephen Ford House
HABS CT-14, sheet 1 of 15
south front elevation
Ward-Heitmann House, West Haven, New Haven County
Built 1684.
Call number: HABS CONN, 5-HAVW, 1-
Ward-Heitmann House
HABS CONN, 5-HAVW, 1-1
front elevation - south
Ward-Heitmann House
HABS CT-22, sheet 1 of 13
front (south) elevation
Painter House, West Haven, New Haven County
Built 1684 or 1685.
Call number: HABS CONN, 5-HAVW, 2-
Painter House
HABS CONN, 5-HAVW, 2-1
front elevation
Painter House
HABS CT-62, sheet 3 of 18
second floor plan

Georgia

Grogan House (Eureka), Middletown, Elbert County
Built 1870-1873. Demolished 1980.
Call number: HABS GA, 53-MIDTO, 1-
Grogan House, east front
HABS GA, 53-MIDTO, 1-2
east front
Grogan House, drawing, longitudinal section
GA-33, sheet 6 of 6
longitudinal section

Maine

McIntire Garrison House, Scotland, York County
Built ca. 1665.
Call number: HABS ME, 16-BERN.V, 1-
McIntire Garrison House, photo, southwest and northwest elevation
HABS ME, 16-BERN.V, 1-3
southwest and northwest elevation
McIntire Garrison House, drawing, transverse section thru kitchen
ME-9, sheet 10 of 13
transverse section thru kitchen

Maryland

Eltonhead Manor, near Little Cove Point, Calvert County
Built 17th century.
Call number: HABS, MD,5-____,1-
Eltonhead Manor, photo, northwest corner
HABS MD, 5-____, 1-2
northwest corner, 1925
Eltonhead Manor, drawing, east, south and north elevation, section
MD-2, sheet 2 of 3
east, south & north elevation, section
Sarum, near State Route 234, Newport vicinity, Charles County
Built ca. 1680.
Call number: HABS MD, 9-NEPO.V, 1-
Sarum, photo, perspective view of south and west elevations
HABS MD, 9-NEPO.V, 1-2
perspective view of south and west elevations
[No drawings]

Massachusetts

Governor Thomas Prence House, Eastham, Barnstable County
Built 1646. Demolished.
Call number: HABS MASS 1-EAST, 2-
Gov. Thomas Prence House, photo, general view from southwest
HABS MASS 1-EAST, 2-1
general view from southwest
Gov. Thomas Prence House, drawing, south elevation, east elevation, first floor plan
MASS 2-79, sheet 1 of 1
south elevation, east elevation, first floor plan
Waite-Potter House, Sanford Road, South Westport, Bristol County
Built 1677
Call number: HABS MASS, 3-WESPOS, 1-
Waite-Potter House, photo, general view
HABS MASS, 3-WESPOS, 1-1
general view
Waite-Potter House, drawing, section B, Section A, north elevation
MASS 2-65, sheet 2 of 2
section B, Section A, north elevation
Benjamin Abbot Farmhouse, Andover and Argilla Road, Andover, Essex County
Built 1685. Has a saltbox roof.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-ANDO, 1-
Benjamin Abbot Farmhouse, photo, view from southwest
HABS MASS, 5-ANDO, 1-4
view from southwest
Benjamin Abbot Farmhouse, drawing, north elevation and south elevation
MA-2-9 sheet 5 of 12
north elevation; south elevation
Benjamin Pierce House, 305 Cabot Street, Beverly, Essex County
Built 1802.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-BEV, 8-
[No photos] Benjamin Pierce House, drawing, west elevation, north elevation
MA-606, sheet 3 of 12
west elevation, N. elevation
William Appleton House, Ipswich, Essex County
Built 1766.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 20-
[No photos] William Appleton House, drawing, end, front elevation
MA-607, sheet 1 of 5
end, front elevation
John Kimball House, Ipswich, Essex County
Built 1680. Saltbox.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 9-
John Kimball House, photo, general view from southwest
HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 9-1
general view from southwest
John Kimball House, drawing, first floor plan, second floor plan
MA-177, sheet 1 of 5
first floor plan, second floor plan
Proctor House, Jeffrey's Neck Road, Ipswich, Essex County
Built between 1700 and 1749. Demolished 1939.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 13-
Proctor House, photo, general view looking northeast
HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 13-1
general view looking NE
Proctor House, drawing, joints
MA-322, sheet 4 of 7
joints
Renault-Foster House, Water St., Ipswich, Essex County
Built between 1600 and 1649.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 21-
[No photos] Renault-Foster House, drawing, 2nd floor, 1st floor
MA-633, sheet 1 of 3
2nd floor, 1st floor
Robert Hooper House, 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, Essex County
Built 1745.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-MARB, 53-
Robert Hooper House, photo, exterior front, looking east
HABS MASS, 5-MARB, 53-2
exterior front, looking east
Robert Hooper House, drawing, Hooper Street elevation
MS-249, sheet 6 of 27
Hooper Street elevation
Waters House and Bakery, Marblehead, Essex County
Built 1683. Demolished 1937.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-MARB, 4-
Waters House and Bakery, photo, view from southeast
HABS MASS, 5-MARB, 4-1
view from southeast
Waters House and Bakery, drawing, truss, north elevation of wing
MA-2-31, sheet 5 of 12
truss, truss, north elevation of wing
Swett-Ilsley House, 4-6 High Street, Newbury Old Town, Essex County
Built 1670-1700; 1760. Saltbox.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-NEWB, 4-
Swett-Ilsley House, photo, general view looking northwest
HABS MASS, 5-NEWB, 4-1
general view looking NW
Swett-Ilsley House, drawing, 2 sections, north elevation, south elevation
MA-470, sheet 5 of 6
2 sections, north elevation, south elevation
General Benjamin Hawkes House, 4 Custom House Place, Salem, Essex County
Built 1801.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-SAL, 31-
General Benjamin Hawkes House, photo, front and side, looking northeast
HABS MASS, 5-SAL, 31-1
front and side, looking NE
General Benjamin Hawkes House, drawing, attic floor framing plan
MA-270, sheet 4 of 17
attic floor framing plan
Captain Samuel Trevett House, 65 Washington Street, Marblehead, Essex County
Built ca. 1750.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-MARB, 6-
Capt. Samuel Trevett House, photo, general view from southeast
HABS MASS, 5-IPSWI, 6-1
general view from SE
Capt. Samuel Trevett House, drawing, south elevation and 1st floor plan
MA-104, sheet 2 of 14
south elevation; 1st floor plan
Stephen Daniel House, Daniels & Essex Streets, Salem, Essex County
Built 1693.
Call number: HABS MASS, 5-SAL, 20-
Stephen Daniel House, photo, general view from northwest
HABS MASS, 5-SAL, 20-2
general view from NW
Stephen Daniel House, drawing, east, west elevation
MA-116, sheet 3 of 16
east, west elevation
Pike-Haven-Foster House, Framingham, Middlesex County
Built 1696.
Call number: HABS, MASS, 9-FRAM, 8-
Pike-Haven-Foster House, photo, front and side
HABS MASS, 9-FRAM, 8-3
front and side
Pike-Haven-Foster House, drawing, south elevation
HABS MASS-616, sheet 3 of 7
south elevation
Phineas Upham House, 253 Upham St., Melrose, Middlesex County
Built 1703.
Call number: HABS, MASS,9-MELRO,2-
Phineas Upham House, photo, front and side looking northwest
HABS MASS, 9-MELRO, 2-1
front and side looking northwest
Phineas Upham House, drawing, attic plan, roof framing
HABS MA-489, sheet 2
attic plan, roof framing
Micah Coffin House ("Auld Lang Syne"), Broadway, Siasconset, Nantucket County
Built ca. 1675.
Call number: MASS, 10-SCON, 2-
Micah Coffin House, photo, south and west elevation
HABS MASS, 10-SCON, 2-1
south and west elevation
Micah Coffin House, drawing, framing and west elevation
HABS MA-857, sheet 2 of 2
framing & west elevation
Shanunga (Betsey Cary Cottage), Siasconset, Nantucket County
Built ca. 1682. Altered 1780.
Call number: HABS MASS, 10-SCON, 1-
Shanunga, photo, south elevation
HABS MASS, 10-SCON, 1-2
south elevation
Shanunga, drawing, 2nd floor plan, view from southeast, cross-section
HABS MA-610, sheet 2 of 2
2nd floor plan, view from southeast, cross-section
Jonathan Fairbanks House, 511 East St., Dedham, Norfolk County
Built 1636. Oldest timber-frame house in the U.S.
Call number: HABS MASS, 11-DED, 1-
Jonathan Fairbanks House, photo, view from southeast
HABS MASS, 11-DED, 1-6
view from southeast
Jonathan Fairbanks House, drawing, 4 framing details
HABS MA-223, sheet 8 of 24
4 framing details
The Peak House, Medfield, Norfolk County
Built 1680.
Call number: HABS MASS, 11-MED, 1-
Peak House, photo, view from southwest
HABS MASS, 11-MED, 1-1
view from southwest
Peak House, drawing, framing
HABS MA-2-77, sheet 2 of 2
framing
Daniel Shute House, Main and S. Pleasant Streets, Hingham, Plymouth County
Built ca. 1690.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-HING, 7-
Daniel Shute House, photo, general view from northwest
HABS MASS, 12-HING, 7-1
general view from NW
Daniel Shute House, drawing, attic floor and roof framing plan
HABS MA-197, sheet 3 of 21
attic floor & roof framing plan
Old Oaken Bucket House, Scituate, Plymouth County
Built 1835.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-GREBU, 2-
Old Oaken Bucket House, photo, from southwest
HABS MASS, 12-GREBU, 2-1
from southwest
Old Oaken Bucket House, drawing, west elevation; east elevation
HABS MA-2-41 sheet 2 of 6
west elevation; east elevation
George Ward House, Lakeville, Plymouth County
Built 1712.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-LAKVI, 1-
George Ward House, photo, view from southwest
HABS MASS, 12-LAKVI, 1-1
view from southwest
George Ward House, drawing, four elevations
HABS MA-2-20, sheet 2 of 6
four elevations
Bryant Cushing House, Norwell, Plymouth County
Built 1698.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-NOR, 1-
Bryant Cushing House, photo, view from northeast
HABS MASS, 12-NOR, 1-1
view from northeast
Bryant Cushing House, drawing, north elevation, first floor plan
HABS MA-109, sheet 1 of 12
north elevation, first floor plan
Shadrach Standish House, Halifax, Plymouth County
Built ca. 1730.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-HAL, 3-
Shadrach Standish House, photo, view from southeast
HABS MASS, 12-HAL, 3-1
view from southeast
Shadrach Standish House, drawing, east, north and south elevation, 2 plans
HABS MA-2-70, sheet 1 of 3
east, north & south elevation, 2 plans
Samuel Stetson House, Hanover Center, Plymouth County
Built 1694.
Call number: HABS MASS, 12-HANO, 3-
[No photos] Samuel Stetson House, drawing, south elevation, north elevation
HABS MA-611 sheet 2 of 6
south elevation, north elevation
Fearing-Warr House, Wareham, Plymouth County
Built 1665 and 1765.
Call number:HABS MASS, 12-WARH, 1-
Fearing-Warr House, photo, general view from southwest
HABS MASS, 12-WARH, 1-1
general view from southwest
Fearing-Warr House, drawing, south elevation, east elevation
HABS MA-102, sheet 3 of 16
south elevation, east elevation
Hyde-Worthen House, Charlestown, Suffolk County
Call number: HABS MASS, 13-CHAR, 1-
Hyde-Worthen House, photo, view from northwest
HABS MASS, 13-CHAR, 1-4
view from northwest
Hyde-Worthen House, drawing, 3 floor plans, south elevation
HABS MASS-192, sheet 1 of 7
3 floor plans, south elevation
Robert Pierce House, 24 Oakton Avenue, Dorchester, Suffolk County
Built ca. 1650. Saltbox.
Call number: HABS MASS, 13-DORCH, 7-
Robert Peirce House, photo
HABS MASS, 13-DORCH, 7-2
Robert Peirce House, drawing, section A-A
HABS MA-562, sheet 8 of 10
section A-A
General Salem Towne House, Old County Road, Charlton, Worcester County
Built 1796. Moved to Sturbridge Village.
Call number: HABS MASS, 14-CHAR, 1-
General Salem Towne House, west elevation
HABS MASS, 14-CHAR, 1-1
view from west
General Salem Towne House, drawing, cellar plan, attic framing
HABS MA-2-38, sheet 2 of 16
cellar plan, attic framing

Prepared by: Marilyn Ibach, Reference Specialist. Last revised: May 2003.
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