Jamestown

14. Barracks

Williamsburg, VA

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Soldiers lived in barracks during the early years of Jamestown settlement. Archaeologists discovered the remains of the barracks within Jamestown fort, about ten feet from the southern palisade. They have determined that this building was constructed using a type of architecture called ‘mud and stud,’ which was a traditional building method commonly used in the county of Lincolnshire, England. The builders first created a cobblestone base, and then used posts and rails to create a wooden frame. The frame was coated with a mixture of clay, sand, straw and water. These buildings were often painted with lime wash that had been weatherproofed with linseed oil or animal fat. An example of the framework used in mud-and-stud construction can be seen at Historic Jamestowne, where the barracks have been partially recreated at the original site.