Plank houses
Plank houses are traditional structures predominantly found among Indigenous tribes of the Northwest Coast, such as the Kwakiutl, Haida, and Chinook. Constructed mainly from white cedar, these large dwellings are characterized by their oblong or rectangular shapes, with dimensions ranging from 10 to over 30 feet in length and up to 20 feet in width. The construction process involves clearing and digging a shallow pit, erecting vertical posts, and attaching split cedar planks, which can be quite large, to create the walls. The roofs typically feature a smoke hole for ventilation and may be designed with a single- or double-pitch.
These houses served multiple families and were central to communal life, often featuring common hearths and private living areas partitioned by mats or skins. The design and ornamentation of the houses reflect social hierarchy and cultural identity, with intricate carvings that convey spiritual significance and tribal narratives. While their prominence has waned, many Indigenous communities are experiencing a cultural revival that includes the construction of new plank houses for ceremonies, emphasizing their enduring importance as symbols of heritage and community.
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Plank houses
- TRIBES AFFECTED: Bella Coola, Chehalis, Chinook, Coast Salish, Coos, Haida, Klamath, Kwakiutl, Nootka, Takelma, Tillamook, Quinault
- SIGNIFICANCE: Large plank houses were widely used in the Northwest Coast cultural area, where there were abundant forests to supply the material
Plank houses of the Northwest Coast cultural area were usually built of white cedar. An oblong or rectangular area was cleared, and the earth was removed. The area could be 10 to 30 feet long or more, 6 to 20 feet wide, and 1 to 3 feet deep. Vertical posts were sunk into the ground, or log walls were built around the shallow pit and capped with wooden beams.
Cured logs of cedar were split into planks with stone hammers and wedges. The planks were from 1 to 3 feet wide and could be up to 60 feet long. Planks were usually at least several inches thick. The size of the planks was determined by the type of structure to be built. Planks were then attached to the vertical posts using cords braided of roots or vines. The structure was sealed with a mixture of pitch and charcoal or other substances, making it waterproof and windproof.
The roofs of plank houses could be either single- or double-pitch. A hole was made in the roof to allow smoke to exit and air to circulate, and doors were cut into either end.
Large longhouses with elaborate carvings on the posts and beams were common north of the Puget Sound and Columbia River areas. Several families could occupy each house. Common hearths were established in the center, with living areas to each side partitioned off by mats, skins, or other means, which allowed some privacy. The size and style of plank houses tend to become smaller and simpler the further south the tribal group.
In many ways, plank houses were a natural choice for Indigenous American tribes living in the Pacific Northwest because they offered protection from the wet climate, used available natural resources, and could be easily modified. Plank houses represented the culture and community of each tribal group, and many communal activities, such as meals and ceremonies, were held in them. Their size and ornamentation could also represent social hierarchy and wealth. Carvings etched into the walls of plank houses often held spiritual significance or told vital tribal stories. Although no longer as common as they once were, many Indigenous Americans continue to build plank houses as forms of cultural revival and in which to hold ceremonies.
Bibliography
Ames, Kenneth. "Chinookan Plankhouses." The Oregon Encyclopedia, 21 Sept. 2022, www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/chinookan‗plank‗houses. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
"Plank House." The Canadian Encyclopedia, 28 Apr. 2020, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plank-house. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
"Plank House Villages - Canadian History Hall." Canadian Museum of History, www.historymuseum.ca/history-hall/plank-house-villages. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.