Jason Landvater of Tri-County Construction Co. begins the work of restoring the roof of the Picot-Armistead-Pettiford House in Plymouth last week. The rafters of the circa 1814 house are joined with a mortis-and-tenon joint commonly used by shipbuilders of that era. The Roman numerals were carved into the timbers by the builders. The rafters were likely crafted and fitted together on the ground, marked with these numbers, then disassembled and hauled up to the second floor. The numbering system allowed the builders to reassemble the rafters exactly as they had been crafted on the ground. The home will be used for an African American museum when it is restored. (Contributed Photo/Willie Drye)