William Pitcher Farmstead HSR

ATTIC: MAIN HOUSE
The attic of the main house is accessed by climbing up the main house roof sheathing
in the garret of the ell (206) and climbing through a small opening (photo attic-1). The
sheathing boards visible from the garret are tightly spaced and do not have nail holes,
which would have been present if this area was ever covered with shingles. The roof
structure appears to be consistent throughout the main section of the house, implying
that it was put on AFTER the addition to the east end, and at the same time that the
ell was attached. The rafters, as in the garret, are slightly tapered to a bridle or lap
joint (photo attic-2). The collar ties are attached to the rafters with lapped half-dovetail
joints (photo attic-3). The ends of the rafters are nailed to the top plates. The western
end of the attic, above Room 201, has planks laid over the collar ties, perhaps to allow
for more storage early on. The rest of the attic, above the center hall area, the dormer
room, and Room 204 has lath attached to the bottom of the collar ties and plaster
keys visible beneath.
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