My brain likes to categorize things, and so when I was in Madison, I began to notice how many houses there were in the Greek Revival style. This makes sense because American Greek Revival architecture was the dominant style during the Jacksonian era, which was from 1825 to 1855. Many of the houses in Madison were built during this time period. I'm not sure if I took pictures of all of them, but there are quite a few here. Just to summarize the American Greek Revival movement:
- The style dominated American architecture from 1825-55.
- Greek temple form using strong columns and gently pitched pedimented roof. The columns are in the style of the ancient Greek orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) with an entablature above (horizontal member between the column capitals and the roof).
- Predominantly white to emulate the stone that was used in Greece.
- Square head openings for the windows and doors.
- Aedicule openings, which are openings with a column on each side supporting an entablature above. This can either be seen in the front door design, window design and fireplace mantel design.
- The style spread through pattern books like The American Builders Companion, The Builders Assistant and Beauties of Modern Archtiecture.
Greek Revival architecture elements are also found on smaller cottages and single story houses.
All you architects and architecture experts out there - feel free to weigh in and add comments.
All photos by Whitehaven except Honeymoon, which is for sale and the photo is from the listing.
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