Greek Revival (1820 - 1860)

The final years of the 18th century brought an increasing interest in classical buildings to both the United States and Europe. This was first based on Roman models (Federal style), but archaeological investigation in the early 19th century emphasized Greece as the Mother of Rome which, in turn, shifted interest to Grecian models.

The style is an adaptation of the classic Greek temple front employing details of Doric, Ionic or Corinthian order.

To the popular mind the Greek temple was associated with the origins of American democracy in ancient Greece.

Greece's involvement in a war for independence (1821-30) aroused much sympathy in the newly independent United States.

Further, the War of 1812 fought against England diminished American affection for British influence, including the still dominant Adam ("Federal" in U.S.) style in domestic architecture.

The popularity of Greek Revival led it to be called the National Style. Newly established towns throughout the country even took names such as Athens, Sparta, and Ithaca.

Identifying features:

• Most have porticos (either entry or full-width) supported by prominent square or rounded columns, typically of Doric style, but also Ionic and Corinthian
• Gabled or hipped roof of low pitch
• Cornice line of main roof and porch roofs emphasized with wide band of trim (this represents the classical entablature and is usually divided into two parts: the frieze above and architrave below)
• Enormous windows and doors
• Front door surrounded by narrow sidelights and a rectangular line of transom lights above, door and lights usually incorporated into more elaborate door surround (ancient Greek structures did not use arches)
• Window sashes most commonly with six-pane glazing
• Small frieze-band windows, set into the wide trim beneath the cornice (attic), are frequent. These are often covered with an iron or wooden grate fashioned into a decorative Greek pattern.
• Most Greek Revival frame houses were painted white because it was not then known that the white marble of ancient Greece buildings had often been polychromed