Saturday, June 30, 2012

French Homes in the Illinois

It has been quite some time since the last post and I wanted to share this link to a very comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources on the Illinois Country during the time of the French.


As far as my progress goes on creating a 1750 French habitant kit, I have created a set of blue broadcloth mitasses and a brayet.  It is overdue that I post some pictures of the projects and some research.

On another topic, I did get a chance to visit the historic district of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri a few weeks ago.  There is a collection of French homes dating from the late 18th and early 19th century that are rather interesting to look at.  A couple of the examples are the poteaux-en-terre and the poteaux- sur-solle types of construction.  I like to call them a typical French log cabin of the time.  You'll notice the structures are built of vertical logs.  

Model of Bolduc House, poteaux sur solle construction

Bolduc House in Ste. Genevieve, MO

Model of poteaux en terre construction

Bequette-Ribault House located on St. Mary's Road near Ste. Genevieve, MO