Early 20th Century Revivals: The Eclectic Period
"My American Family Tree," by Howard Pyle
Eclectic Influences in American Culture and Architecture
The last decade of the 19th century and early 20th century Revival period is sometimes described as the Eclectic Movement in American architecture. The building designs of this era were intended to be versions of earlier architectural styles and traditions of early America were included as the inspiration for architectural style. Interest in American history and a sense of pride in our heritage was spurred by the country's one hundredth birthday celebrated at the Philadelphia Centennial of 1876. This focus on American tradition was continued at the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893.
The most prevalent style of this period was the Colonial Revival, inspired by early American buildings of Colonial, Georgian, or Federal style. The larger size and scale, and arrangement of details set the buildings of the later Colonial Revival apart.
The Spanish Revival style also looked back to the buildings of America's colonial period in southeastern Florida, Texas, the southwest, and California.
The families who sought out architects working in the Tudor Revival style went back beyond the English colonial period to the "Merrie England" of the Elizabethan age.
The Collegiate Gothic style was developed from the earlier Gothic Revival style and the original Gothic style buildings of Europe. The Beaux Arts style and the Italian Renaissance Revival style were all based on historic European design. This period of architecture was the last to focus on the recreation of past forms; in all the architectural periods to come, the desire to make a new architectural statement took precedence.
The most prevalent style of this period was the Colonial Revival, inspired by early American buildings of Colonial, Georgian, or Federal style. The larger size and scale, and arrangement of details set the buildings of the later Colonial Revival apart.
The Spanish Revival style also looked back to the buildings of America's colonial period in southeastern Florida, Texas, the southwest, and California.
The families who sought out architects working in the Tudor Revival style went back beyond the English colonial period to the "Merrie England" of the Elizabethan age.
The Collegiate Gothic style was developed from the earlier Gothic Revival style and the original Gothic style buildings of Europe. The Beaux Arts style and the Italian Renaissance Revival style were all based on historic European design. This period of architecture was the last to focus on the recreation of past forms; in all the architectural periods to come, the desire to make a new architectural statement took precedence.