Several followers on social media correctly identified the answer posed in last week’s, What the ???? post.
The different bricks and parging on the chimney are evidence that the original Federal style hipped roof was changed to a higher gabled roof. There is evidence on the exterior as well, the close-up photo of the eave area and lower corner of the pediment shows a high level of detail in the Federal style eave cornice with much simpler detailing in the pediment. Had they been built at the same time; they would likely have had similar or identical detailing.
Another clue to its original roof form can be seen in the roof of the kitchen ell, which is low and hipped as the original roof on the house would have been. Note that the 1877 bird’s eye view drawing got the chimney wrong, showing a single center chimney.
Often, the physical evidence is all there is to go on in determining what changes were made. In this case, documentation for the change was also found in a letter written in 1838, “Purrington … bought Cyrus’ part of that house, put on a steep roof…”
The house shown on the upper right was built by the same builder in 1812 and retains its original roof. As built, the two houses were nearly identical.
Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners” delves deeply into identifying alterations made over time and other mysteries found in old houses.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024
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