Colonial Revival
1870-1940
Even though the large and ornate architectural styles of the Victorian era, such as the Queen Anne and Shingle, were still quite popular during this period, the growing sentimental patriotism and longing for the simplicity of old times partly inspired by the US Centennial celebration in 1876 led to the evolution of the Colonial Revival style. The Colonial Revival style combined the simple rectangular symmetry and balance of the Colonial and Federal styles with the architectural elements and size of the Victorian styles. The Colonial Revival can be distinguished from its smaller predecessor, the original Colonial style, in that the entry, still the focal point of the facade, has an entrance hood which extends away from the house, usually adorned with columns and an open pediment. The door is accentuated with sidelights and fanlights or transom. The Colonial Revival style continued to simplify over time as a growing middle class helped this style to continue to gain popularity.
Photos by Sheri Barfield, ALERT teacher
Colonial Revival Row Houses, Jersey Street, San Francisco, California
Colonial Revival Elements:
- Gable roof
- Plain end chimneys
- Center entrance with transom, sidelights, open pediment, and temple-like columns
- 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters
- Side porch
- Symmetrical rectangular façade
- 2-3 stories
- Brick/wood siding
- Dormers
- Entrance hood
Colonial Revival Bibliography:
"1876 - 1955: Colonial Revival House Styles." About.com Architecture 1876-1955: Colonial Revival House Styles. About.com, n.d. Web. 8 July 2013.
<http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/colonial-revival-jpg.htm>.
Baker, John Milnes. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.
Blumenson, John J G. Identifying American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, 1600-1945. Nashville: American Association for State and Local History, 1977. N. Print.
"Colonial Revival Architecture." Colonial Revival Architecture. Antique Home, 2005-2010. Web. 8 July 2013. <http://www.antiquehome.org/Architectural-Style/colonial-revival.htm>.
Irving, Bruce. "Colonial Revival Architecture: Recalling the Good Old Days." This Old House. Time Inc., n.d. Web. 8 July 2013. <http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,332355,00.html>.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America: The Old-house Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print.
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print.
Rifkind, Carole. A Field Guide to American Architecture. New York: New American Library, 1980. Print.
Van, Buren Maurie. House Styles at a Glance: An Illustrated Guide. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet, 1991. Print.
Walker, Les. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print.
"1876 - 1955: Colonial Revival House Styles." About.com Architecture 1876-1955: Colonial Revival House Styles. About.com, n.d. Web. 8 July 2013.
<http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/colonial-revival-jpg.htm>.
Baker, John Milnes. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.
Blumenson, John J G. Identifying American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, 1600-1945. Nashville: American Association for State and Local History, 1977. N. Print.
"Colonial Revival Architecture." Colonial Revival Architecture. Antique Home, 2005-2010. Web. 8 July 2013. <http://www.antiquehome.org/Architectural-Style/colonial-revival.htm>.
Irving, Bruce. "Colonial Revival Architecture: Recalling the Good Old Days." This Old House. Time Inc., n.d. Web. 8 July 2013. <http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,332355,00.html>.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America: The Old-house Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print.
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print.
Rifkind, Carole. A Field Guide to American Architecture. New York: New American Library, 1980. Print.
Van, Buren Maurie. House Styles at a Glance: An Illustrated Guide. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet, 1991. Print.
Walker, Les. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print.
Related Websites:
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/colonial-revival-jpg.htm
http://www.antiquehome.org/Architectural-Style/colonial-revival.htm
http://www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/colonial-revival
http://www.historicnewengland.org/preservation/your-older-or-historic-home/architectural-style-guide#colonial-revival-1880-1955
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,332355,00.html
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/colonial-revival-jpg.htm
http://www.antiquehome.org/Architectural-Style/colonial-revival.htm
http://www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/colonial-revival
http://www.historicnewengland.org/preservation/your-older-or-historic-home/architectural-style-guide#colonial-revival-1880-1955
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,332355,00.html