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American Architecture: The Georgian Style

© John J. Pascarella

Spanning almost a century, the Georgian period lasted from 1710 to 1790. Named after the British Kings George I, II, and III, and based on English impressions of Renaissance architecture, this style was brought to the American Colonies where it was transformed into an American original. True Georgian homes will be found only in the original 13 colonies, apparently falling out of style after the Revolutionary War. The Colonial Revival brought this style to the rest of the country.

The first, and most obvious clue that a home is of the Georgian Style is its simple symmetry. If you were to draw a line down the middle of the house, the halves would be a mirror image of each other. If there is only one chimney, it will be in the middle of the house, two chimneys will be located exactly across from each other. Anything done to one side of the home will be done to the other.

In the southern colonial states, Georgian homes were most often made of brick, while in the north, wood homes prevailed. As the Georgian period progressed, the outside of the homes became more complex. Entryways were extended to become porches, with columns used as decoration and support. Windows on the first floor of late Georgian homes often sported pediments, as did the doorway.

Georgian architecture is sometimes confused with the following Federal period of American architecture, but only on the outside. While Federal homes were airy and bright, with molded plaster designs, Georgian homes used highly carved wood ornamentation. Often entire rooms are paneled floor to ceiling with painted pine.

As towns such as New York became large cities, most of their Georgian style homes were lost to later buildings. But there are many towns and small cities up and down the Atlantic coast that boast many Georgian homes. The birthplace of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture.

Until next time, In Bocca Al Lupo!

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