The conclusions from this analysis are inescapable, although they may
never have occurred to us, viz.:
The vast majority of old Nantucket houses are of one type. Therefore
it is this type that must largely make the picture of the town. This
is it:
Wood walls, covered with shingles or clapboards, with the shingles
weathered gray or painted. The colors of shingles (when painted) and
of clapboards and trim are white, cream, gray, yellow or brown. White
predominates. The exterior window and front door blinds (shutters)
are painted dark green.
Basement is high with walls of brick, painted or plastered and with
windows of considerable size in these walls. This high basement is a
distinctly Nantucket characteristic.
Or to a somewhat less extent, the basement is low to the ground or
somewhat so without any or sizeable cellar windows.
The house is two stories in height with attic.
Roof is gable type without dormers. The pitch of the gable roof is
generally 9”, to 12” horizontal measurement but not less than 8”
pitch.
The chimney is brick, plastered or painted gray, massive, usually
containing six flues, located near the ridge and at the center or to
one side of the center.
The front door is at one side of the center of the front or, less
frequently, at the center.
Windows are of two sashes (with 12 to 24 lights to a window), viz.,
from 6 to 12 lights to a sash. 12 to a window predominates on the
front.
Such is our typical house.
This does not mean that the recognized old style variations from
this predominant type are out of order. Far from it. Most excellent
are low ledgestone foundations with or without plaster covering. One
story, one and a half story and three story structures. Lean-to,
gambrel and hip roofs. Interior end chimneys and small gable roofed
front dormers.