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This section provides an introduction to many of the major
architectural styles built in Southeastern Massachusetts between
1700 and 1940. To see additional examples of historic properties
and learn about each style's specific architectural details
click an image below. Also see our glossary
of architectural terms and our downloadable
screen saver of these styles.
These houses were built during the period when the Whaling
Industry was the economic mainstay of the Olde Dartmouth region.
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| 1780
- 1820 |
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The exteriors of these three-story square structures are characterized
by low-pitched, balustraded
roofs, and are often surrounded by ornate fences. The massive
size of a federal style building, combined with its simplicity,
creates a feeling of restrained elegance which was very attractive
to the Quakers of the New Bedford area.
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| 1820
- 1860 |
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The Greek Revival style was popular from 1820 to 1860. Americans
saw the Greek Revival style as an expression of the developing
character of their own young country. Writer James McConkey
described the Greek Revival style as "a dream of order
and balance and proportion set down in a rude wilderness."
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| 1830
- 1860 |
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When comparing the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages, from
the 12th century to the 15th century, the fundamental difference
is that the Gothic Revival Style is strictly concerned with
the architectural features, rather than trying to recreate a
Gothic building. Most often there was the tendency of only reviving
the pointed opening,buttress,
and other decorative motifs. These include the rose
window, lancet, label
moulding, and crenellation.
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| 1840
- 1880 |
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The first Italianate houses in the United states were built
in the early 1840's and were popularized by the pattern books
of Andrew Jackson Downing.The Italianate style dominated American
houses constructed between 1850 and 1890. By the late 1860's
the style had completely overshadowed its earlier companion,
Gothic Revival. |
| 1840
- 1860 |
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Octagon style homes, fitting to their name, have eight outside
walls. They are a hybrid mixture, and not a true "style"
in themselves. They often contain architectural elements from
both the Greek Revival and the Italianate styles. |
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These houses are typical of those houses built after the Whaling
Era, when the South Coast region and economoy was fueled by
the textile industry.
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1850
-1890 |
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Stick Style derived from the Carpenter Gothic style, the Stick
Style embodies the idea that architecture should be truthful.
Primarily seen in residences, a Stick Style building expressed
its inner structure through the use of exterior ornament such
as trim boards. These trim boards were often applied to gable
ends and upper floors in order to symbolize the structural skeleton. |
1860
- 1890 |
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The main characteristic of the Second Empire style is the mansard
roof design, dormer windows, and later, side or central
villa like towers. There are usually decorative brackets below
the eaves. Most people think of the Second Empire Style as the
quintessential "Victorian" house. Apart from the Mansard
roof and the French windows, they don't differ greatly form
the earlier Victorian styles and it did not remain a pure style
for long. |
1870
- 1920 |
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Architectural elements from earlier periods were used in a regimental
manner. Colonial Revival buildings usually were formal and symmetrical.
Some were exact replicas of Federal buildings; however the architectural
details and massing are distinguished by their large proportions.
The Palladian (three part) window became a standard feature
of the new style. Porches with classical columns were used in
the finest Colonial Revival style buildings, as well as on more
modest houses. |
1895
- 1940 |
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The original Georgian style was named after the four kings named
George who reigned successively during this period. Rooted in
the classical design principals of ancient Rome, this English
style came to America by way of British pattern books and an
ever-swelling wave of masons, carpenters, and joiners who emigrated
from England. The Revival's main features include a symmetrical
composition enriched with classical details. |
1880
- 1900 |
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"The Shingle Style, like the Stick and the Queen Anne,
was a uniquely American adaptation of other traditions. Its
roots are threefold: From the Queen Anne it borrowed wide porches,
shingled surfaces, and asymmetrical forms. From the Colonial
Revival it adapted gambrel roofs,
rambling lean-to additions, classical columns, and Palladian
windows. From the contemporaneous Richardson Romanesque
it borrowed an emphasis on irregular, sculpted shapes. Romanesque
arches, and in some examples, stone lower stories. |
1880
- 1900 |
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Queen Anne style is identified by steeply pitched slate roofs,
irregular shape, front facing gables,
patterned shingles (often called fish scales), cut-away bay
windows with large panes one over one with the upper panel having
smaller set in panes, partial or full width porch, some with
spindlework ornamentation, patterned masonry, towers, and surging
chimneys. Houses were often painted in bright clear colors with
contrasting trim. |
1890
- 1940 |
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The Bungalow has certain basic characteristics. Its lines are
low and simple with wide projecting roofs. It may have two stories
with a large porch and is made with materials that suggest a
cozy cottage.It was sometimes refered to as the "most house
for the least money" and although low cost materials were
emphasized for construction, the Bungalow was not inexpensive.
It depends on a costly foundation, wall and roof areas because
of the spread out first floor. |
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