Woodland Indians Shelter
Longhouses
Longhouses were built by the Woodland Indians. Several families lived together in one longhouse. Each family was given a section in the house to live. Fireplaces ran down the middle of the longhouse for heat and for a place to cook. These longhouses were HUGE! They could be over 200 ft. long, 25 ft. wide, and 25 ft. high and were mostly found in the woods near a river. The houses were made of small trees to make the frame and then covered with tree bark. Longhouses did not have windows only smoke holes at the top.
Watch and share with your partner, to learn more about longhouses.
Listen closely for how large a traditional longhouse would be, as well as what is was primarily used for.
Wigwams
Longhouses were not the only houses the Woodland Indians built-some built wigwams. Unlike the longhouses, kids, parents and grandparents-all lived together in one wigwam. These buildings were round and mostly made from tree logs and cover with bark. Some were covered with mats or hides and could be up to 6 feet long.