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Lily of the Valley National Historic District |
Among the most long-lived styles of American building. The original Georgian style was named after the four kings named George who reigned successively during this period. Rooted in the classical design principals of ancient Rome, this English style came to America by way of British pattern books and an ever-swelling wave of masons, carpenters, and joiners who emigrated from England. Georgian was the dominant style of the English colonies. The style reflected Renaissance ideals, made popular by architect Sir Christopher Wren after 1650. Curiously, Pennsylvanians continued building Georgian row houses until the Civil War, while New Englanders had abandoned Georgian style mostly by 1800. The style has Renaissance-inspired classical symmetry, with a rectangular, strictly symmetrical, balanced façade with elaborate fanlights and sidelights. Central bay of facade slightly projected and crowned with pediment. Sometimes the center entrance was framed by a portico with free-standing columns. Hipped, double-pitched, or gambrel roof. Chimneys placed to contribute to overall symmetry. Hipped roof often topped with a flat deck with surrounding balustrade. A central cupola also sometimes capped the roof. Classical cornice detailing. Generally in brick or wood. |
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