Colonial Revival architecture

Colonial Revival is a major architectural movement in the United States. It seeks to revive elements from American colonial architecture. This style is not limited to just building houses. It also includes landscape architecture and garden design. The movement encompasses decorative arts that emulate colonial forms. It is also tied to the practice of historic preservation. People value this style because it connects them to the past. It brings old traditions back into modern life.

Architects create these buildings by mixing many different influences. They often use Georgian and Federal architecture as their primary sources. Some designs also draw from the Dutch Colonial style. Other buildings may use post-medieval English styles. Because they combine these sources, the style is often described as eclectic. This means it does not follow one single rule. There is no single combination of parts that defines it. Instead, builders choose elements that create a specific look.

Specific features help you recognize a Colonial Revival building. Many homes feature gabled, hipped, or gambrel roofs. A gambrel roof has two different slopes on each side. You might also notice a symmetrical facade. This means the front of the building looks balanced. Both sides often mirror each other. Many windows are double hung, meaning they slide up and down. These windows often have shutters on the sides. You may also see fanlights or sidelights. These are small windows located near the main door.

The movement began due to a specific historical event. The Centennial Exhibition of 1876 is often credited with its start. This large fair reawakened Americans to their colonial traditions. Before this, the Queen Anne style was the dominant architecture. Only a small number of Colonial Revival homes existed before 1910. However, the movement grew very quickly after that date. It became an ascendant force in American design.

Between 1910 and 1930, the style reached its peak. During these twenty years, it was incredibly popular. About 40% of all U.S. homes were built in this style. This represents a massive portion of the nation's housing. The style continued into the immediate post-war period. It lasted until the early 1960s. During those later years, the homes were built in a more simplified form. Today, many New Traditional homes still use these ideas.

Colonial Revival buildings often look different from the original colonial homes. Architect Cyril M. Harris noted that they are a free interpretation. This means they do not copy the old houses exactly. They tend to be larger than the original prototypes. Builders often exaggerate certain architectural details. They might make a decoration look much bigger than it was originally. This creates a grander appearance for the modern era.

This style connects to many other ways of designing the world. It is part of a larger group of revival architectural styles. For example, there is the Spanish Colonial Revival style. There is also the Mission Revival style. Some people even look to New Classical architecture for inspiration. These styles all show how people look to history to build the future. By studying these patterns, we learn how culture shapes the places where we live.