Dickerson Potato House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dickerson Potato House
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of Roads 494 and 498, near Delmar, Delaware |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | c. 1900 |
| MPS | Sweet Potato Houses of Sussex County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001693 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
The Dickerson Potato House is a historic building located near Delmar, Delaware. It is a special kind of building called a potato house. These houses were used a long time ago to store potatoes. This particular potato house was built around the year 1900. It is one of the few potato houses left today.
Contents
What is a Potato House?
Why Were They Built?
Potato houses were very important for farmers. They helped keep potatoes fresh after they were harvested. Farmers needed a cool, dark place to store their crops. This was especially true for sweet potatoes.
These buildings protected potatoes from freezing in winter. They also kept them from getting too hot in summer. This helped farmers sell their potatoes later. It also made sure the potatoes tasted good.
How They Worked
Potato houses had special features. They often had thick walls to control the temperature. Some had vents or windows that could be opened or closed. This helped manage the air inside.
They were designed to keep a steady temperature. This prevented the potatoes from spoiling too quickly. It was a smart way to store food before modern refrigeration.
The Dickerson Potato House
What It Looks Like
The Dickerson Potato House is a two-story building. It has a pointed roof at the front, which is called "gable fronted." It is made with a "balloon frame" structure. This means its wooden frame uses long, continuous studs.
The building sits on a strong brick foundation. It measures about 30 feet long and 23 feet wide. This is roughly the size of a small house.
Special Features
This potato house still has many original parts. It has "multiple sheathing," which means it has layers of wood on its walls. This helped with insulation. The front of the building faces the gable end.
It also has an inside chimney. This might have been for a small stove to keep it warm. The windows have "closely fitting hatches." These were like tight covers. They helped control the temperature and light inside.
A Historic Landmark
National Register of Historic Places
The Dickerson Potato House is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This is a list of places in the United States that are worth preserving.
Being on this list means the building is special. It tells us about the history of farming. It also shows how people lived and worked in the past. It helps protect the building for future generations.
