The Cape Cod style house was developed by the colonists based on the English half-timbered cottages, but designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions of New England. They were often referred to as a "ship upon the land," as the earliest versions were built by shipbuilders along the Massachusetts coast.
History
The Reverend Timothy Dwight, president of Yale University, coined the term "Cape Cod House" after a visit to the Cape in 1800. The Colonial-era Capes were built during the period between 1600 to the late 1700s. In the 1930s, the Colonial Revival Cape became popular, and had several minor modifications from the original.
Significance
The Cape Cod house is the first truly American house style, and reflected the hardiness and inventiveness of the new Americans.
Function
The purpose of the design was to withstand the harsh New England winters. The roof was steeply pitched so as not to hold snow, and there was a pronounced overhang to protect windows and doors from the draft of icy winds. There was almost no decoration on the house at all, except for shutters. Usually the houses had only one floor, usually with a loft space as well, so that they were easier to heat.
Features
The Colonial Cape Cod House can be identified by the chimney centered over the front door. The windows are double hung, with multiple small panes, and original versions did not have dormer windows. The exterior has wood shingle or clapboard, tightly sealed with pine pitch. The interior has a center hall with two large rooms on either side and a kitchen in the back of the house. These houses were small in size, generally only 1,000 to 2,000 square feet.
Types
The Colonial Revival style Cape has many of the same features as the original, but the chimney is located on one side of the house, with a fireplace in the living room. In the 1930s and 1940s, this style became very popular with the advent of mass production, since the style was inexpensive to build and easy to replicate.
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