Now we’ve seen house “dating” put into an example using The Baldwin-Reynolds House, this week we’ll go over the basic architectural styles common in our area. Before we begin, a disclaimer is in order. I am not standing in your front lawn nor am I a trained architect, but the Curator of The Baldwin-Reynolds House. These articles are primarily for the purpose of getting readers more interested in local history, and in this case the history that you are literally sleeping and cooking in every day. This week, we are focusing on styles common from Federal to Italianate (or from Meadville’s founding to roughly mid 19^th century) and will get into more Victorian styles next week. If you would like more information on your house in particular, I suggest contacting the Crawford County Historical Society, who has a number of people interested in architecture and architectural history affiliated with them, or hiring an architect. On that note, onto “styling your home.”

 

The first houses in Meadville (and Crawford County) were primarily log structures as seen by the McGill House in Saegertown. These hewn log structures were often more focused on use rather than architectural detail, but as milled lumber became more common, frame structures followed and with them the Federal Style of architecture in this area.

 

The Federal Style is largely based on the Adams style of England. They are usually very proper in shape and design- often square, although may have oval bays on occasion. Simple doors with side lights and windows above are par for the course. These houses are the oldest buildings in Meadville.

The Greek Revival Style has an excellent example on Terrace Street in Meadville (haha…my office!). As the nation was trying to further separate itself from Europe, Greek Revival became a “national style of sorts,” featuring classical details from Greek Architecture. Large columns, porticoes, and heave cornices highlight this style. Smaller buildings not having pillars often featured pilasters, or flat column looking features physically attached to the building rather than free standing columns. This style spread from frame houses in New England to large brick plantations in Louisiana and everywhere in between.

Gothic Revival architecture has its roots in Medieval buildings in Europe. These structures are literally “cathedral” or castle like with a steep roof, often board and batten siding, multiple gables, and tall narrow windows.

 

The Italianate style contained many details suited for the warm climate in Italy. High ceilings with tall windows and flat or gently sloping roofs with overhanging cornices supported by wooden brackets were common features on these buildings. Balconies and verandas were common as well. To complete the style, cupolas or towers were often added atop these buildings. Although many Italianates were rather square or rectangular buildings, often bays, wings, and other additions to give a more picturesque effect were added.

Now, let’s take a look at popular architectural styles common in Crawford County that are High Victorian, ending in the first half of the 20^th century.

 

The style known as “Second Empire” takes root in France around 1860 thanks to the historical era France was undergoing with the same name. Prince Louis Napoleon became emperor of France in 1852, beginning to reshape the look of Paris buildings soon after. Much of “historic Paris” was influenced by Napoleon III (Louis Napoleon’s name as emperor).

 

This style is known for its most prevalent feature – the mansard roof. Steep mansards, a plethora of windows, and imposing balconies created a high society look that is typical of the Second Empire Home. Several examples of this style are seen on Terrace and Chestnut streets in Meadville.

Queen Anne houses are, to many, the epitome of Victorian homes. These houses seem to use nearly every architectural feature imaginable and the crazier the design the better. These homes began to take hold in England in the 1870s and were soon in America.

 

Typical features of a Queen Anne home include: turrets, gingerbread trim, spindlework, and large wooden porches. Tinted and stained glass windows are common, sunburst and other wood pattern siding on gables are found, and the more interestingly colored houses create the better examples.

 

American architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, developed his own style combining French and Spanish Romanesque architecture using heavy stone construction in several interesting combinations of style, color, and texture. His signature building was the Trinity Church in Boston build between 1872 and 1877.

 

Beaux Arts was a return to Classical style, these buildings were once again known for columns, pilasters, tooth molding along the building’s cornice, and a formality to the structure often are signatures of Beaux Arts and its middle class NeoClassical cousin.

 

 

Tudor Revival is based on medieval England buildings, however using much more modern materials. This style can range from cottages to mansions and nearly everything in between and is classified by steeply pitched roofs, half timber facades, and tall windows separated by mullions (wood dividers between several panes as seen with “six over six” or other patterns). This style faded by World War II, but made a return in the 1970s and is still seen today in new construction.