German+Colonial

= __German Colonial__ - style originated from Pennslyvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. =

De Turck House, Oley, Pennsylvania, built 1767
__German Colonial Features__
 * built from brick or stone

History of German Colonial Homes
The early colonists to this region adapted the "half-timber" style of construction then popular in Europe, which used a frame of braced timbers filled-in with masonry. The colonists modified the method to typically include a first floor of field stones, and a second floor and roof system of timbers or logs. Eventually, field stones became the building material of choice for the entire homes, as they grew from one-room cottages to larger farmhouses. The "bank house" was a popular form of home during this period, typically constructed into a hillside for protection during the cold winters and hot summers of the region. The two-story "country townhouse" was also common around Pennsylvania during this time.

Work Cited
By Katie Schopp - 2/23/10