First Period c.1626 – c.1725

House Profile 
From The Salem Handbook, Historic Salem Incorporated, 1977  

Plan  

Originally one room deep with prominent central chimney. Often a second story overhang on front and/or side with lean-to added to rear of building.  

Doorway  

Entrance on long side of building with little concern for facade symmetry. Simple, serviceable board and batten door.  

Windows  

Small, few in number, and asymmetrically placed. Framed simply, the windows were usually casement with diagonal shaped leaded panes.  

Roofline  

Steep pitch, often with many gables. Massive oblong, central chimney was roofline focus.  

Materials  

Timber frame construction. Usually unpainted wood with narrow clapboards.  

Decoration  

Minimal external decorative treatment.  

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