Greek Revival, 1820—1860

One of the most popular of styles, felt to express the democratic virtues of ancient Greece which so influenced our young nation. Two variants exist: the formal, romanticized temple; and the vernacular.

FORM:
rectangular block of 1 or 2 stories, sometimes with one—story side wings; temple type often with full width colonade and pediment facing street; vernacular type without columns, sometimes with small porch at entry.

ROOF:
low pitch gable common, hip rare; both with returned cornice; little overhang, plain eave.

WINDOWS:
double-hung, often shuttered; small windows, squeezed under the eaves with sills at 2nd story floor level, brought light into upper story or attic in temple variant.

FRONT DOOR:
single or double, centered or set off to one side; with side lights and glassed transom over the door.

COLUMNS:
on temple type, square or round with capitals, most often in the Doric order.

TRIM:
wide casings and heads around doors; flat pilasters at corners, with flat pseudo capitals under short pediment return in vernacular type.