Architecture
Seven Chimneys is one of a dozen or so remaining examples of the original Dutch settler style located throughout the Hudson Valley region of New Jersey and lower New York state.
The foundation of Seven Chimneys is built of rough stone and lime mortar. The handcut beam frame of the original house is constructed without nails, utilizing pegged mortise and tenon joints. The exterior is constructed of hand-chiseled Hudson River sandstone. Typical of the Dutch construction of this time period, the stone is cut and finished on three sides, and unfinished, rough sandstone on the north. The north and south entrances feature matching split Dutch doors. Interior lath walls are finished with horse hair and plaster. Floors are random, original growth pine ranging from 12 to 22 inches (300 to 560 mm) in width fastened with handmade square nails. In 1770, the left and right wings were added . In 1812, the second story was added, which might explain its Federal style roof line, uncommon to Dutch houses of this period.
In 1978, a great room addition to the east wing was added, joining the detached slave kitchen to the rest of the house.
Outbuildings at Seven Chimneys include a working wellhouse and 300-foot-deep (91 m) well, and a smokehouse thought to have been built sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century.
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