As Thanksgiving approaches, we talk alot about the Pilgrims...Everyone obsesses about how the started the holiday and a big feast.

Do you know what I think about (because, of course, I'm a Realtor)? They invented first gated community in America!

• 1 and 2 room models
• Large kitchen conveniently located throughout whole house
• Expansive hearth/stove/range/microwave combination
• Natural stone flooring (lots of stones in all that DIRT)
• Wall to wall to wall to wall wood paneling
• VIEW from homes with windows
• Lofts
• Large backyards (lots 50' by 50')
• Small complex (just ninteen units)
• Security (eight to nine feet walls)
• Low Association dues (community service)
• Community bathrooms!

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock there was virtually an untapped plethora of lumber for home construction. While none of those homes still exist (photos are of replicas), historians surmise that wooden homes were built utilizing English construction techniques. Oak, pine, walnut and cedar were used to build frames. Clay, sand and gravel were used, as well as wood pins for fastening. At first, the roofs were thatched, but numerous fires lead lawmakers to prohibit that starting in 1627.

Most homes had dirt floors and later board floors. There was one central living room where everything happen: dominated by a hearth. Then, there were lofts where children and servants slept. There were very few windows and those had to be shuttered in the winter--the first settlers wrote home and encouraged prospective colonists to bring paper and linseed oil to use instead of glass. Glass did come eventually.

Colonist families averaged seven to eight children who were home schooled. However, by the time the youngsters reached six or seven years of age, they were put to work helping their parents.

Religion and civic accountability dominated the settlement’s social life--and laws prohibiting idleness kept everyone out of trouble.

If you would like to read more on your own about the Pilgrim settlement the links below were great resources.

http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/plymoth1.php

http://www.themayflowersociety.com/history.htm