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.