The Colonial Revival Architectural movement in the United States began with the centennial celebration of the birth of the nation in 1876. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence the first World’s Fair to be held in the United States opened in Philadelphia on May 10, 1876. Coming only eleven years after the end of the devastating Civil War, the exposition was not only an opportunity to showcase America’s growing industrial prowess but was also a chance to celebrate the survival of the Union itself.
Colonial Revival Architecture is exactly that, a revival of the architectural styles brought by the colonists who came to North America starting in the 16th century. It is not a revival of indigenous architecture, but rather its displacement. As waves of primarily British, Dutch, French, Spanish, and German immigrants came to the New World, they brought with them their own, familiar, architectural forms.
The celebration of Colonial Revival Architecture is also an acknowledgment of the political consolidation of the territories on the Atlantic Coast by the British at the time of the American Revolution in 1776. The Dutch had lost control of their colonies to the British in the Northeast by the mid-1600s. The French were forced to retreat north of the Saint Lawrence River after their defeat in the French and Indian War in the mid-1700s. Spain held on to territories in Florida and the far-flung West. Although influences of Dutch and French styles remained in the original 13 colonies, the British influence over design was preeminent by the time of the American Revolution. Just as history is written by the victors, one can also say that architectural history is written by the victors as well.
Colonial Revival Architecture should really be considered English architecture as Georgian and Federal styles were the most common at the time of the American Revolution. In fact, English fashion in general persisted in the newly independent colonies for decades after the revolution. Georgian Architecture refers to the styles prevalent in most of the British Empire that are concurrent with the reigns of King George I, George II, George III, and IV; referring to this period as Georgian is like the way we refer to Victorian Architecture being concurrent with the reign of Queen Victorian (it’s not like any of these monarchs were architects or designers!). Federal Style refers to the American interpretation of a British revival of classical architecture as interpreted through the Italian Renaissance and particularly the work of the Italian Architect Andre Palladio.
Typical of this style were simple balanced and symmetrical facades with the prime ornamentation being pilasters or colonnades. The entry was accentuated by lintels. Friezes, pediments, and even stone balustrades trimmed the roof lines. Windows on the main level were often accentuated with gabled pediments or arched with sidelights separated by pilasters often with shutters. It was a formal and elegant style that limited ornamentation to columns and public areas since this was before the age of machines, so all details had to be handmade. In order to save money these expensive details were focused on their use and the vast remainder of the often boxy buildings were constructed of simple and cheaper brickwork or wooden siding.
After independence Federal style began to incorporate French neoclassical influences, primarily because of French support of the new nation in its war of Independence and because of French Enlightenment concepts of democracy which had influenced the founding documents of the nation. Thomas Jefferson most famously built Monticello, his primary slave labor plantation, in this neoclassical style, and other Federal buildings were built similarly, including the White House and many State Houses, hence the moniker, Federal Style.
Over 200 structures were built for the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia but for the most part, fewer homes were built in the colonial style during this period than the Victorian Style which was preeminent. The Colonial Revival style really took hold starting in the early decades of the 20th century and remained a popular and enduring style throughout the century.
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