Although there are studies of French vernacular building traditions in other places in North America (see Gowans 1964, Kniffen and Glassie 1966, Lessard and VilandrÈ 1974, Moogk 1977, Upton and Vlach 1986, and Edwards 1987), there has not been systematic analysis of architecture in the Upper St. John Valley. Analysis of architectural resources is further hindered by the fact that prevalent features of Valley traditional architecture are not obvious to the casual observer. Local authors (Michaud 1974, Albert 1969) have drawn attention to features such as shipís knees, the use of shipís ladders instead of stairways, and the caulking of log walls with oakum. Howard Marshall prepared a preliminary glossary of terms related to Valley vernacular architecture during 1991 fieldwork (Brassieur 1992).