The Early Classical Revival Style

Diagnostics

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Dates

Generally considered to run from about 1790 to about 1830.

• The first landmark example is considered to be the Virginia State Capitol, completed in 1792.
• It is considered to be supplanted by the Greek Revival style, which rapidly rose to popularity about 1830, but some exaples may date to as late as about 1850.



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Elements * = diagnostic

1. **Ornament: Same as Federal style, but usually grander and more high-styled
2. **Doorway: Portico or classical porch is almost always present. Front door is always conspicuous, centered, and under portico; usually with Federal styled semi-elliptical fanlight or with keystone lintel
3. Windows: Usually Federal styled with keystone lintels, or even Georgian styled with Venitian (Palladian) windows; period 6 pane sashes double or triple hung, or larger 9 or 12 pane sashes
4. ***Form: Two main forms and two minor forms, almost always with dominant center porch:
   • Single-story block: symmetrical one-story wide rectangle or square block
   • Block with wings: wide or narrow symmetrical 1.5 or two-story gable-fronted rectangle, with symmetrical lower wings
   • Two-story block: symmetrical two-story wide rectangle
   • Palladian: two- to three-story block with symmetrical hyphens to lower blocks
5. *Shape: A simple rectanglar footprint, variously a wide rectangle, narrow rectangle, or square; sometimes with symmetrical simple wings or hyphenated wings
6. *Height: Depends on form (q.v.). Often includes a raised basement (ground floor)
7. **Size: Medium to large size; generally grander houses
8. Structure: Usually masonry (brick or stone); infrequently wood (timber) frame
9. Width: Symmetrical and odd-numbered width; usually 5 bays wide; ranges from 3 to 7, or even 9 or 11 (including wings)
10. *Depth: Usually 2, 3, or 4 bays deep
11. Roof: Depends on form (q.v.). Usually hipped or side-gabled except for Blocks with Wings, which is almost always froont gabled block with side gabled wings
12. Plan: Almost always center passage, sometimes divided into entrance hall; sometmes secondary hallways and stairways



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Features

• *

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Observations




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Range

Predominantly Mid-Atlantic and Southern East Coast; limited to areas settled before about 1830. A prestigious, expensive style; limited to richer areas. Some specimens have surprised me by showing up in places like Indiana and Missouri, but that makes sense - parts were settled by then.

• Regions Observed:
• Indiana
• Missouri
• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Maryland
• West Virginia
• ...



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References

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Names

• Early Classical Revival. Probably most appropriate name.
  • Used in A Field Guide to American Houses (McAlester & McAlester 1984) p.168-175.
  • Used in The Houses We Live In. (Howe, Jeffery 2002) p.180-183.
  • Used as a secondary name of the style (under "Jeffersonian Classicism") in Dictionary of Building Preservation (Bucher, Ward 1996) p.255-256.
  
  
• Federal Style: Classic Phase, or Classicism.
  • Used in Antebellum Architecture of Kentucky, refering specifically to Kentucky architecture. (Lancaster, Clay 1991) p.157-179.
  
  
• Jeffersonian.
  • Listed in What Style is it? (Preservation Press 1983) p.34-35.
  • Used as one of the names of the style in Dictionary of Building Preservation (Bucher, Ward 1996) p.255-256.
  • Used as synonym for "Jeffersonian Classicism" in American Architecture Since 1780 (Whiffen 1969) p.30-35.
  
  
• Jeffersonian Classicism.
  • Used in American Architecture Since 1780 (Whiffen 1969) p.30-35.
  • Used in Greek Revival Architecture in America (Hamlin, Talbot 1944) p.17-21.
  • Used as the main name of the style in Dictionary of Building Preservation (Bucher, Ward 1996) p.255-256.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).
  • Mentioned in Identifying American Architecture Blumenson 1981 p.22-23. "Jeffersonian Classical" and "Jeffersonian Classic" applied in Wood, Brick & Stone. Volume 1: Houses (Noble 1984) p.129, 130, 132.
  • Mentioned in A Field Guide to American Houses (McAlester & McAlester 1984) p.172.
  
  
• Jeffersonian (Roman) Revival.
  • Listed as used by Poppeliers by Wood, Brick & Stone. The North American Settlement Landscape. Volume 1: Houses. (Noble 1984) p.130.
  
  
• Roman Revival.
  • Used as a secondary name of the style (under "Jeffersonian Classicism") in Dictionary of Building Preservation (Bucher, Ward 1996) p.255-256.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).
  • Suggested as alternate name in What Style is it? (Preservation Press 1983) p.31-35.
  • Mentioned as alternate name in American Architecture Since 1780 (Whiffen 1969) p.35.
  
  
• Roman Classicism.
  • Used in Identifying American Architecture (Blumenson 1981) p.22-23.
  
  
• Roman Republican. A little silly.
  • Used as a secondary name of the style (under "Jeffersonian Classicism") in Dictionary of Building Preservation (Bucher, Ward 1996) p.255-256.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).
  
  
• Neoclassicism.
  • .
  
  
• Classic Revival.
  • Used in Antebellum Architecture of Kentucky. (Lancaster, Clay 1991) p.157. Described as a post-Renaissance style that moved out from Italy and reached England late and "came out in full force during the Republic period in the United States."
  
  
• Roman Villa.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).
  
  
• Regency.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).
  
  
• Monumental Classicism.
  • Listed as a secondary name (under "Early Classical Revival") at Old House Restoration: Old House Styles (as of 6/04).