![]() ![]() The peak is either a smooth dome (early Xhosa) or to a conical point (Sotho). A ring of poles is anchored in the ground and brought together at the peak. In Southern Africa, the Zulu, the Swazi, and the Nguni construct thatch domed huts. They are integral to Africa’s roots and architectural legacy. Some argue that their shape was inspired by the Egyptian pyramids. Round barn with a thatch roof in Longmont, Colorado. At the end of the day when he asked his son how he liked farming now, young John replied, “I like it very well Sir.” This was not the response John’s father had hoped for and he forced John to go back to his studies. ![]() Hoping to persuade his son that farming is a less than desirable pursuit, Deacon took John to the marshes for a very long cold day cutting thatch. Many photos from the American civil war reveal the use of thatch as well.Īnother example of thatch is revealed in a story of young John Adams (2nd US president) and his father Deacon Adams. Many of the Forts and posts of the Hudson Bay company used thatch as a roofing. As colonization spread west, especially into the plains where less forests were found, thatch was commonly used. Jamestown, New Amsterdam, and many other settlements were first roofed with thatch. As European settlers crossed the Atlantic to North America they brought their thatching traditions with them. Originally built in 1919 by designer Earl Young. Mushroom House thatch eave detail in Charlevoix, Michigan. These factors all contributed to a massive decline in thatch until the late 20th century when thatch began to increase again. In the UK it is illegal under the plant variety and seeds act of 1964 to plant older varieties of wheat. The introduction of nitrogen fertilizers also reduced straw’s longevity. The introduction of the combine harvester along with the short-stemmed wheat varieties significantly impacted the availability of quality thatching materials (Varieties of wheat from medieval England were said to have grown 6’ tall). It wasn’t until the end of the 1800s when thatch started to decline with agricultural recessions and rural depopulation. The use of thatch continued to increase in tune with the increase in agriculture. ![]() During the industrial revolution, canals and then rails, allowed heavier roofing materials to be more easily delivered to construction sites, providing competition for thatch. The mill in Cockington Village featuring a thatch roof.Īs Europe started to become less rural, thatched country cottages became a favored theme amongst the "picturesque" artists of the late 1700s. The relatively humble hamlet was a stark contrast to the rest of the rather extravagant buildings on the grounds of Versailles. Most of the buildings are arranged around a large central pond. Among the hamlet buildings there is a farmhouse with its own farm, a dairy and its barn (burnt down during the French Revolution) and a mill fed by a meandering creek. The buildings, many of which are thatched, were inspired by vernacular Flemish or Norman architecture. Architect Richard Mique and painter Hubert Robert worked together to produce the design. Louis Joseph’s Hamlet inspired Marie Antionette and she followed in 1783 with Hameau de la Reine (hamlet of the queen). The half-timbered thatch cottages have rustic exteriors that surprise guests when they step into the luxurious interiors complete with classical pilasters and murals. It was designed by architect Jean-François Leroy. Hameau de Chantilly was built in 1774 by Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé on the grounds of Chateau de Chantilly. Note the yellow stone found in the Chipping Campden area. Most of the “old” buildings of Europe come from this era and most of these had a thatched roof.Ī Chipping Campden thatched home in the Cotswolds. In the century following the start of the reformation, many opportunities and new wealth fueled what is known as The Great Rebuilding. ![]() This is documented in places such as Windsor castle and the church at Covent Garden in London. Thatch covered the tops of unfinished walls, and large temporary thatched roofs were erected to cover unfinished spaces. Thatchers were employed to provide thatching as a protection for unfinished work through the winter months of no work. For example, in the 1300s the Pevensey castle in Sussex purchased six acres of water reed to provide roofing for its chambers and halls.Ī little-known use of thatch during the middle ages is that it was used in the masonry construction of the great castles and cathedrals. The middle ages saw a variety of building types from almshouses, hospitals, houses, chapels, guildhalls, and castle gatehouses, many of which were thatched. Through the dark ages, thatch was used on the poorest peasant’s homes as well as the wealthiest king’s halls. The Howick house is reported to have one of the earliest known thatch roofs. ![]()
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