Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Dating of Old Houses

The Dating of Old Houses

Mercer, Henry Chapman

Paperback

General ArchitectureGeneral Construction & RenovationArchitecture History

ISBN10: 1025584864
ISBN13: 9781025584867
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 36
Weight: 0.14
Height: 0.07 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Dating of Old Houses is a seminal study in the field of architectural history and historic preservation, focusing on the methodology for determining the age of early American structures. Written by the renowned antiquarian and archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer, this work explores the evolution of building materials and construction techniques as chronological indicators. The text pays particular attention to the transition from hand-wrought to machine-cut nails, the development of door hinges, and other hardware details that serve as vital clues for dating domestic architecture.

Mercer's rigorous approach provides a framework for researchers, homeowners, and historians to analyze the physical fabric of colonial and early federal-style buildings. By examining the minutiae of construction-from the shape of a nail head to the casting of a latch-the author illustrates how industrial progress is etched into the very walls of historic homes. The Dating of Old Houses remains a foundational reference for those interested in the preservation of American heritage and the scientific classification of architectural artifacts. This work is an essential guide for understanding the tangible history hidden within the structural elements of old dwellings.

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