Rider Potato House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rider Potato House
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southeast of junction of Roads 505 and 506, near Laurel, Delaware |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | c. 1920 |
| MPS | Sweet Potato Houses of Sussex County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001699 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
The Rider Potato House is a special old building located near Laurel, Delaware in Sussex County, Delaware. It's a type of building called a potato house, which was used to store potatoes, especially sweet potatoes, during the winter. This particular potato house is very important because it's one of the few left from its time.
It was built around 1920. The house is about one and a half stories tall and has a pointed roof at the front, like a triangle. It's built with a special method called "balloon frame" construction, which uses long pieces of wood for the walls. The building sits on a strong brick base. It measures about 18 feet wide and 24 feet long.
The Rider Potato House still has many of its original features that show how potato houses worked. These include its shingled outside walls, the nice wooden panels inside on the second floor, special openings for air to move through, and its original sliding doors. These features were important for keeping the potatoes safe and fresh.
Contents
What is a Potato House?
A potato house is a building designed to store potatoes after they are harvested. Farmers needed a way to keep their potatoes from freezing in winter or spoiling in warmer weather. These buildings were especially important for sweet potatoes, which are sensitive to cold.
How Did Potato Houses Work?
Potato houses had special features to control the temperature and humidity inside.
- They often had thick walls or insulation to keep the cold out.
- They used ventilation systems, like vents and windows, to let air flow through. This helped prevent moisture buildup and rot.
- Some even had small stoves or heaters to keep the temperature above freezing during very cold spells.
- The design helped keep the potatoes at a steady temperature, which was perfect for storing them for many months.
History of the Rider Potato House
The Rider Potato House was built around 1920. At that time, farming was a very important part of life in Delaware, especially growing potatoes. This building helped local farmers store their crops efficiently.
Why is it Important Today?
The Rider Potato House is important because it shows us how farmers lived and worked in the past. Many potato houses have been torn down or changed over the years. The Rider Potato House is a rare example that still looks much like it did when it was first built. It helps us understand the history of agriculture in Delaware.
It was recognized for its historical value and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it's considered a special place worth protecting for future generations.
Images for kids
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The Rider Potato House, a historic building used for storing potatoes.
