[MassHistPres] Hip roof barns, tithing barns, plank houses

[jim_derby at verizon.net]

Hi Everyone;
 
I am a restoration carpenter who is serious about studying historic carpentry in general with a specific interest in my state of residence, Maine. I would like to post several of my areas of interest in this one email with hopes of learning more and connecting with people of similar interest. I am a member of the Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group (TTRAG) and have started a similar, volunteer group here in Maine to focus on Maine buildings called the Maine Traditional Building Research Group (MTBRG).
 
I have become aware that there are hip-roof barns in Maine but none in New Hampshire and only one in Maryland. What other areas are hip roof barns found?
 
There were Mormon tithing offices in every Mormon settlement, sometimes with barns and/or granaries to store tithed crops. There are or were tithe barns near Quebec, also. Very little is known about tithe barns in North America. Can anyone speak to this topic? Where were any pre-twentieth century Mormon settlements in the East where a tithe barn could still exist?
 
Plank houses are widespread, though usually low in numbers. Plymouth Plantation may have been the point of origin of (European) plank houses in North America. They are concentrated from the Boston area south to perhaps Rhode Island(?), but can be found in most states. They have the nickname "boxed construction" in the south and may have been referred to as balloon construction before the well known type of stick framing took that name in the 1830s. Are there any plank building experts out there? There are several ways to build plank houses and double or triple boarded houses: could you share some building methods you are aware of from your areas?
 
There are so many unanswered questions!
 
Thank you;
Jim Derby
(207) 832-0635