Longhouse, traditional dwelling of many Northeast Indians of North America. Bark or hides were usually placed across the top to form a cover. Longhouses are exactly that: long houses that have a long, narrow, rectangular shape. Dec 30, 2017 ยท Longhouses are large structures, built with the materials available in the local environment, that can house multiple families (usually related as an extended family), or a single family with their livestock. 5 cm) in diameter. While the physical use of the longhouse has evolved and transformed, it continues to embody the values of community, family, and tradition. The longhouse has stood the test of time as a symbol of strength, resilience, and unity within Iroquois culture. A traditional longhouse was built by using a rectangular frame of saplings, each 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7. A longhouse or long house is a type of long, proportionately narrow, single or multi-room [1] building for communal dwelling. Many were built from timber and represent the earliest form of permanent structure in many cultures.