INTRODUCTION TO PERIOD STYLES: During the late 1800s, European-trained architects designed highstyle period houses for the wealthy. Each period style identifies specifically with an architecture of an earlier period and place: either early American or European precedents. Several popular period styles that diffused across the country are included on these web sites, though other, less popular period styles also appeared. During this time (mostly between 1900 and 1929), accuracy of styles became important once again, unlike Queen Anne style, which borrowed from a variety of sources. Most Important, period styles look to the past for inspiration. The trend toward period architecture gained momentum from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the Columbian Exposition, where historical interpretations of European styles were encouraged. Simultaneous to the rise of period-style architecture, the modern era saw its beginnings with architects who were instead looking to the future, not the past, with more progressive, modernist styles. Thus defines the eclectic movement of the early 20th century, which consisted of a simultaneous and perhaps competing interest in both modern and historic architectural traditions.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND FEATURES: Initially inspired by the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial: new interest in American colonial past. Architects studied colonial styles throughout New England by 1890s. A dominant style for domestic buildings nationwide 1900-1940s. Georgian and Adam styles were the backbone of revival ideas, with a secondary influence of Dutch Colonial (with the characteristic Gambrel roof). The Colonial Revival style is sometimes referred to as Neo-Georgian, due to its striking resemblance to the earlier Georgian and federal styles.

PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)

1. State College, PA. Typical form of a Colonial Revival house, c.1920s. Also referred to as Neo-Georgian or Georgian Revival due to its close resemblance with its earlier Georgian counterparts. Notice separate, small garage next to house, indicating the beginning of a new revolution of automobility in America during the 1920s.
2. Bellefonte, PA. Commercial building with simple Colonial Revival, or Neo-Georgian facade -- symmetrical, even, and plain.
3. Urbana, IL. A typical 1920s upper-middle class neighborhood.
4. Penn State University campus, Irvin Hall. c.1926.
5. Stafford Springs, CT. Borough School. c.1920s. Originally the town's high school.
6. Harrisburg, PA. Front Street. House on right is Colonial Revival, its neighbor a more modern, international-style office building.
7. Flagstaff, AZ. After the Victorian era, the early 20th century saw the commercial architecture on Main Street become more subdued, with a return to simplified colonial (if not modern) forms. This is a typical business building of the 1920s that represents the simplified two-story, symmetrical facade of a colonial revival building.
8, 9. Stafford, CT. Town Hall, c.1922.
10. Union, CT. Public Library (probably a Carnegie Library), c.1910.
11. Provincetown, MA. High school.
12. Plymouth, MA. Post Office, c.1914.
13. New Haven, CT. Union Station.
14. Sturbridge, MA.
15. Sturbridge, MA. Dutch Colonial style with Gambrel Roof (dual pitched).
16. Branford, CT. Still popular in New England, this Cape Cod form of house replicates the earlier "Capes" that were common after 1700 in New England. This one probably dates to the 1950s, given the neighborhood.
17. Manchester, CT. Probably the most common form of Dutch Colonial.
18. St. Louis, MO. Dutch Colonial with Gambrel roof (gable end) facing the street.
19-22. St. Louis, MO. Variations of the standard colonial revival form with various decorative ornamentation, including mixtures of features from Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival styles.
23. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park
24. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park
25. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park
26. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park. Dutch Colonial, with Gambrel roof.
27. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park
28. Long Beach, CA. The basic form of this house is Prairie Style, though the entire facade includes various elements of Colonial Revival styling.
29. Durango, CO. Common public building of the 1920s, with Federal-style, round-arched windows, and ballustrade on the roof line.
30. Pasadena, CA. Similar Neo-Georgian as in Photo 1 above. This one has a Neoclassical entryway, (a related period style), and quoins on the wall corners (alternating white bricks/stones emphasizing the wall edges). Also has broken pediments over the first-floor windows.
31. Chattanooga, TN. Dutch Colonial with Neoclassical entryway and Gothic dormer. Probably 1928 based on owner's estimate. Photo courtesy of Ryan Fiser.
32-34. Topeka, KS. c.1929. Example of a full Georgian Revival or Neo-Georgian plan with Neoclassical entryway and porch, with Federal-style transom light above the door. Attached garage is c.2005, an addition designed to match the house style. This and other homes in the neighborhood originally included basement garages, though many have been converted, including this one. Photos care of Kate Cook, who commented on the basement garage: "With the old garage you had to drive all the way around the house and the driveway then plunge down beneath the formal living room".