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Longhouse

Many Native Americans lived in homes that were long enough to house several families. In the northeast the dwelling called a longhouse was one such dwelling. The average longhouse was about 60 feet long by about 18 feet wide. The frame of the longhouse was either post and beam or made from bent saplings. The outside of the longhouse was covered by sheets of elm tree bark. The inside of a longhouse was divided into compartments for different families. Each family compartment had raised sleeping compartments where the family slept. Several smoke holes in the longhouse's roof let out smoke from several fire pits which were used to cook meals and for warmth.