IDENTIFYING FEATURES: Gable or hipped, low-pitch roof; dentil cornice emphasized with wide
band of trim -- cornice represents classical entablature (includes cornice, frieze, architrave);
porches: square or rounded columns (usually Doric), first style to use gable-front floor plan (gable
end facing the street, representing Greek temple), temple-front entryway with entry door
surrounded by rectangular transom and sidelights (never rounded like federal).
BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION: Dominant style in America, 1820-1850. Also called
"national style" due to popularity. Known as the "Territorial style" in early Western towns,
including Santa Fe, NM. Style diffused westward with settlers (especially New Englanders, across
upstate New York), first American architectural style to reach West Coast. Inspirations and
beginnings: Thomas Jefferson designs Monticello, Charlottesville, VA in 1770. Influcenced by
Palladio. Jefferson believed in architecture as a symbol; he despised Williamsburg due to English
origins: Williamsburg represented colonial exploitation. In France: Jefferson learned of Roman
architecture and its symbolic association with Greek democracy. In 1785: construction of
Jefferson's Virginia State Capitol: first building of the neoclassical movement in either U.S. or
Europe. To Jefferson architecture was a form of visual education in support of democratic ideal.
The Greek Revival movement becomes widely accepted throughout the early U.S. as a symbol of
the new democracy. Greek place names, street names, and architecture became dominant
throughout the Northeast. Curiously, Pennsylvanians adopted the Greek Revival style only in
minimal ways, preferring instead the tradition of the Georgian row house, right up through the
Civil War.
PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)
1. Madison, IN. Second Presbyterian Church, c.1834.
2. Madison, IN.
3. Hazardville, CT., Rt. 190
4. Madison, IN.
5. Rockville, CT. "temple and wing" design, with temple front at center of house.
6. Somers, CT. First Congregational Church, c.1842.
7. Somers, CT. The Somers Inn.
8. Enfield, CT. Small "upright and wing" design.
9. northern Illinois. Farmstead with large "upright and wing" farmhouse on right.
10. Lewistown, PA. Pennsylvania Railroad depot with Greek Revival facade on gable ends (seen
here), c.1850.
11. Washington, D.C. Capitol Building, with Greek Revival additions and dome, constructed in the
years before and during the Civil War.
12. Washington, D.C. Supreme Court building.
13. Upstate New York. Upright and wing design.
14. Upstate New York. Upright and wing design.
15. Galena, IL. DeZoya House, c. 1830. Basically a Georgian floor plan with Greek Revival
entryway and rectangular transom lights.
16. Boston, MA. Cathedral Church of St. Paul. c.1820-1833.
17, 18. North Woodstock, CT. c.1830. This is the wing (17) to the main house (18), exhibiting a
"one-and-a-half" plan, as seen more fully in photos 22, 23, 24, and 27. Ankle windows are seen
here on the wing, allowing light into the shorter second floor.
19. Woodstock, CT. A typical Greek-Revival congregational church, on the Woodstock green.
20. Woodstock, CT. Gable-front plan.
21. Plymouth, MA. Full temple-front facade and Greek Revival entry.
22. Ellington, CT. Greek Revival cottage, with one and one-half stories. Also known as a "classic
cottage" design, or a "New England one-and-a-half". This type of house is easily identified with
the New England region.
23. Stafford, CT. Another classic cottage.
24. Sturbridge, MA. And another...
25, 26. Sturbridge, MA. Gable-front entry. Closeup of "globe-window" transom light above the
door. This design appears on other Greek Revival buildings in this area, though I don't know of its
origin.
27. Sturbridge, MA. Another classic cottage, this one with one of the five original ankle windows
remaining.