A recent visit to the 1765 Wiley/Cloud Plank House in Kennett Township, Chester County Pennsylvania was a real privilege for the members of the Township Historical Commission as guests of the current owner.
This National Register home is one of the largest examples of a plank house in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In this type of construction, planks extend from vertical corner posts to other vertical posts that bisect the 
long walls, and these planks are connected to the posts with a mortise and tenon. (photo:mortise and tenon construction). This structural system allows different floor plans for each floor and the possibility of clear-span space, since interior walls were not load bearing. The planks are 5" thick with four dressed sides.
A large portion of the original interior detailing has been 
retained--basement cooking fireplace, hearth supports, floorboards, molding, doors and wrought iron hardware. And one of the great things about this house is that it is set back off the main road with room for a garden plot and a view of two ponds on the surrounding land. (photo:close-up of exterior of planks)
This bit of local history brought to you by Carolyn Roland, Your Older and Historic Homes Resource for Delaware and Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.
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