New england colonial

New England Colonial is an architectural style of house that was derived from England. In the 1500's and 1600's, these houses have steep roofs, large chimneys, and were constructed in wood. Because these houses were made of wood, most are no longer standing. Roofs were made of thatch and the frames were made of timber. The frame was halved or cleft, never complete logs. The gaps between the timbers were filled with mats made from spalings and clay called "wattle and dob".

Features
•Little exterior ornamentation
 * 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

History
The New England Colonial style was first developed in the early 1500's when English immigrants moved to the United States. They kept with the traditional style of the homes found in England. Colonial style simplified the picturesque Queen Anne and so appeared after the Queen Anne fell out of fashion. The New England Colonial style is also called a four-over-four because it has a rectangular floor plan of four rooms on the top floor as well as four on the lower floor.

In the early 1700's,the New England Colonial shape began to change slightly. With a need for more interior space, people would add a lean-to onto the backside of the house, therefore giving birth to the saltbox roof. Another change the New England style would undergo would be the location and the amount of chimneys. The chimney was to no longer be centrally located. It was moved to one end of the house, usually with a matching chimney at the opposite end of the house in order to keep up the symmetrical look that the New England colonial had become so famous for.

Architects
Notable architects associated with this style include: