New England's Colonial Architecture

The early colonists who came to New England brought no visions of grand mansions or stately churches. Their homes were simple, as befitted a people of strict religious beliefs. Here's an example, the Jethro Coffin House (1686), first house built on Nantucket Island:

New England colonial public buildings usually consisted of the meetinghouse (what others might call a church). This, though larger, was simple as well.

New England preserves a remarkable number of buildings from colonial days. For a look at buildings remaining from the 1600's, visit the Hoxie House (1637) in Sandwich, on Cape Cod, or the Whipple House (1640) in Ipswich, on Cape Ann, north of Boston.

Plimoth Plantation, near Plymouth, Massachusetts, gives perhaps the best glimpse of life and architecture of New England in the 1600s.

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