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First Period homes
A typical first period house has a very large and noticable center chimney. It usually has asymmetrical, small, diamond-paned windows, a large batten door, and a steep roof pitch with a front overhang. They appear simple from the outside with very minimal decorations. -
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First Period Background
1630 ~ In the spring of 1630, John Winthrop led a fleet of 11 vessels to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Great Migration of thousands of English people to America that took place between 1620 and 1640. Boston was first established.
1730 ~ Great Awakening started. Preachers altered their messages and they were concerned New Englanders were far too concerned with worldly matter. This allowed people to express their emotions more openly in order to feel a better connection to god. -
Georgian Colonial Homes
As one of the most popular architectural styles dominating America for most of the 18th century, Georgian Colonial houses are very well known. These houses are typically two and a half stories high, have a pair of brick chimney's and is usually two rooms deep. Some typical characteristics of these homes are the central entry, the 6-over-6 symmetrical windows, the triangular pediment, and the gambrel roof. -
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Georgian Colonial Background
This style of home is commonly associated with the reigns of England’s King Georges, I through III. In reality, however, it is directly tied to the work of English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Unequivocally the dominant architectural trend in the colonies between 1700 and the Revolutionary War, Georgian’s popularity slowed dramatically as architectural tastes began to change with the establishment of the United States and the emergence of our American Federal style. -
Federal Homes
Similarly to the First Period houses, these homes appear fairly simple from the outside. They are generally three stories and are typically have a very square shape. They feature a pair of brick chimneys, large 6-over-6 windows, and classically inspired center entrances. Often times, the roofs have a shallow pitch/are low hipped, and the unlike the rest of the house, the windows on the 3rd floor are smaller than the rest of the home. -
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Federal Background
European ideas about architecture prompted this American change in taste. Indeed, many historians today think of the Federal style as a refinement of the Georgian style, justified by a close comparison of the two. In general, the term Federal connotes that period in American history when our Federal system of governance was being developed. More specifically, it refers to the buildings that went up during the construction boom in which designers readily incorporated styling variants from Europe. -
Greek Revival Homes
Most homes from this time period resembled greek and roman temples. The featured bold details and were usually painted white to resemble the white marble or the expensive building. Heavy cornices, gables with pediments, and unadorned friezes were typical in these homes. -
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Greek Revival Background
With British influence waning considerably after the War of 1812 and the nation expanded westward, the style was an expression of America’s triumphant sense of destiny and the that our newly formed nation was the spiritual descendant of Greece, birthplace of democracy. Americans’ sympathy and support for Greece’s war of independence from Turkey also contributed to this influence. Popular from 1825- 1860, in more isolated parts of the country, the style was prevalent right up to the Civil War. -
Gothic Revival Homes
The houses during this time period imitated the great cathedrals and castles of Europe. It was a unique style that quickly grew to popularity. Some typical characteristics of these homes were the gable roofs, the cross gable, and the curvilinear barge board. Many of these homes had paired pointed arch windows, pedimented window heads, and board and batten siding. . -
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Gothic Revival Background
Across the Atlantic from London, American builders began to borrow elements of British Gothic Revival architecture. New York architect Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892) was evangelical about the Gothic Revival style. He published floor plans and three-dimensional views in his 1837 book, Rural Residences. His design for Lyndhurst (1838), an imposing country estate overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, became a showplace for Victorian Gothic architecture in the United States. -
Italianate Homes
Italianate homes, similarly to the homes of the gothic revival time period, are very recognizable. They are inspired by the informal forms of Italian farmhouses and successfully carried over many of those characteristics. These houses have hip roofs, roof brackets, molded window caps for the rounded windows, and often times, bay windows. Many of these homes have 2/2 decorative windows, intricate porch woodwork, corner boards, and inset wooden panels. -
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Italianate Background
Often included in the so-called Picturesque Movement, the Italianate style began in England as a reaction to the rigid formalism that had come to dominate nineteenth-century architecture. Washington dwellings in this style generally date from 1840 to 1885, with the majority built in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. The expense and craftsmanship lavished on the exteriors offer testament to the prosperity and optimism of the era.
