Jerkinhead

Jerkinhead Roof

Recently visited American Revolutionary Patrick Henry's ("Give me liberty or give me death") home Scotchtown near Beaverdam Virginia. I was taken by it's massive size yet simple architecture. The hips on the tall roof that lacked dormers caught my attention. After doing some research I learned this is called a Jerkinhead Roof.

Unfortunately the building was not open for tours, but from what I have gleaned the upstairs is one massive room, with only a pair of windows on each end, and the massive brick chimneys come through the floor of the room like columns.