The Dutch had their New World colonies under formal authority for an extremely short period of time. In 1614, Dutch fur traders set up homes near Albany, and in 1626, they did the same in New Amsterdam, which is now called New York. Dutch colonization took place in these areas and along the Hudson River, which connected them. It lasted for 50 years, until growing English colonies on both sides led to the English taking control in 1664. So, New Netherland became New York, and Dutch influence in the colony's biggest cities began to fade. Still, t he ways of building that these Dutch people brought with them were still used in the early part of the 19th century.

 

Urban Dutch Colonial homes are very similar to their Old World predecessors constructed in the thriving commerce centers of 17th-century Holland. Yet the history of the American Dutch country home is unclear. Flared eaves and the unusual gambrel profile of the roof have been at the heart of much debate since its widespread adoption around 1750. Gambrels of a somewhat different form were also becoming prevalent at the same time in the English colonies to increase both roof span and practical attic space, and so the gambrel is perhaps the simplest to explain. It is possible that the flared eaves are an adaptation of a French-Flemish practice that was used to shield plastered walls from being damaged by steeply sloping thatched roofs by adding a more gently sloping extension of tiles at the eaves of the building.

 

In contrast to their timber English equivalents, rural Dutch homes were more difficult to extend due to their thick stone walls. Whenever a home became too tiny, a new one was constructed right next to it, and the old one was converted into an addition like an extra kitchen or bedroom. As a result, Dutch Colonial homes often display a linear series of two or three (rarely more) units erected at separate dates. While the smallest unit is usually the oldest, this is not always the case, since little kitchen or bedroom wings were added to bigger homes many years after they were completed.

 

Characteristics: 

• One story (less commonly one and one-half stories, rarely two stories) 

• Side-gabled or side-gambreled roof 

• Roof with minimal or no rake (side) overhang

•  The front door had upper and lower sections that opened separately. The Dutch double door was probably utilized to keep animals out (by closing the bottom) while letting light and air in (by leaving the top open).

• Brick or coursed stone were used most often as construction materials

 

Subtypes:

Urban tradition—Some of the first homes were Medieval-style brick urban residences with steeply pitched parapeted gable roofs and twin end chimneys.

 

Rural tradition with unflared eaves—In rural areas, the Dutch style of constructing lasted much longer. While brick was the standard in urban areas, most rural homes were built with coursed stone instead. When colonial residents gained wealth in the 18th century, they were able to invest more time and effort into the shape and finishing. The earliest versions, often seen in rural areas, featured side-gabled roofs and little eave overhang. The gambrel roof became standard from 1750 or so.

 

Rural tradition with flared eaves—Similar to the rural variant previously described, but distinguished by its flared, overhanging eaves.