Early American Homes

The colonists' homes were usually built of wood, stone, or brick. Wood was easy to get because of the many forests in New England. The roofs were thatched. The floor was dirt, which packed down hard after months of wear. The women swept it clean each day. Some of the colonists scratched designs into the dirt to decorate the floor.

Glass was expensive and hard to get. Some people used oiled paper or rows of bottles for their windows. Others used heavy fabric. Large windows, like in houses today, were unheard of then, so colonists' homes were much darker than modern homes.

The usual arrangement was to have one large room with a sleeping loft. Small side rooms might be added as the family grew. The main room had a fireplace, dining table and chairs, and all the cooking utensils. Some family members also slept there. The big stone fireplace was the center of family life. It served as the stove, heater, and source of light after sunset. The women cooked over the fire in huge iron kettles and skillets.