New England Center Chimney House

The New England center chimney house evolved early in the 18th century. The massive center chimney created hearths for all the main rooms on both floors, and shaped the floor plan. From a small entryway the circulation rotated through living and parlor areas to the kitchen in the rear. These disappeared by the early 19th century as new heating and framing systems made it possible to create more flexible plans.

Log cabin, Terrytown, Bradford County, c. 1806
Log cabin, Terrytown, Bradford County, c. 1806.
(HABS photo, Stanley Jones, Photographer, September 1, 1936. HABS PA,8-TERTO,1--3)