Colonial New England
The Cape Cod house grew out of New England building traditions. Its low profile and steep roof suited an exposed coastal climate: the roof shed rain and snow, while the modest height reduced exposure to wind. These practical forms became a recognizable regional house type.
The Atwood-Higgins House in Wellfleet offers a surviving example, with an original portion dating to 1730 and later additions. Reading a house like this means looking beyond a single construction date: successive generations adapted the building as their needs changed.
What to look for
- Steep roof and compact overall form
- Regional materials and domestic scale
- Additions that reveal successive periods of use
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service: Atwood-Higgins House
- National Park Service: Cape Cod foundation overview (PDF)