house-raising

[ hous-rey-zing ]

/ ˈhaʊsˌreɪ zɪŋ /

a gathering of persons in a rural community to help one of its members build a house.

Origin of house-raising

An Americanism dating back to 1695–1705

At the house-raising a good dinner was provided, and of course, plenty of liquor.

Sabbath in Puritan New England |Alice Morse Earle
It showed itself in all the petty details of daily life, in assistance in housework and in the field, in house-raising.

Customs and Fashions in Old New England |Alice Morse Earle
And he talked about a house-raising while the weather held fine, and before snow.

The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains |Charles Egbert Craddock
He was reputed to have used it as one many a time at a house-raising.

Madelon |Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

The next day ushered in a crisis in the affairs of the would-be stationers—the house-raising began.

The Story of Old Fort Loudon |Charles Egbert Craddock