American Colonial Architecture
Your starting place for exploring architecture in the American colonies, with facts, photos and resources.
Colonial and Federal House Styles
When North America was colonized, European settlers brought building traditions from their home countries. Houses built along the northeastern coast, where the British settled, are quite different from those built by Spanish and French colonists in the American Southwest. Between 1500 and 1800, European styles combined with Native American building techniques to develop not one, but many, uniquely American styles.
When North America was colonized, European settlers brought building traditions from their home countries. Houses built along the northeastern coast, where the British settled, are quite different from those built by Spanish and French colonists in the American Southwest. Between 1500 and 1800, European styles combined with Native American building techniques to develop not one, but many, uniquely American styles.
Cape Cod House Pictures
Small, economical, and practical Cape Cod houses were built all across America during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. But the Cape Cod style began centuries before in colonial New England. This photo gallery shows a variety of Cape Cod houses, from simple colonial Cape Cods to modern-day Cape Cods with dormers and shutters.
Small, economical, and practical Cape Cod houses were built all across America during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. But the Cape Cod style began centuries before in colonial New England. This photo gallery shows a variety of Cape Cod houses, from simple colonial Cape Cods to modern-day Cape Cods with dormers and shutters.
The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, St. Augustine, Florida
This tiny house is thought to be the oldest wood school building in the United States. By examining its construction, you can see how buildings were made in America's colonies.
This tiny house is thought to be the oldest wood school building in the United States. By examining its construction, you can see how buildings were made in America's colonies.
Log Cabins - American Frontier Homes
Today's log cabins are often spacious and elegant, but in the 1800s they reflected the hardships of life on the North American frontier.
Today's log cabins are often spacious and elegant, but in the 1800s they reflected the hardships of life on the North American frontier.
Cape Cod Houses
The first Cape Cod style homes were built by English colonists who came to America in the late 17th century. They modeled their homes after the half-timbered houses of England, but adapted the style to the stormy New England weather.
The first Cape Cod style homes were built by English colonists who came to America in the late 17th century. They modeled their homes after the half-timbered houses of England, but adapted the style to the stormy New England weather.
Cape Cod House Pictures
Small, economical, and practical Cape Cod houses were built all across America during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. But the Cape Cod style began centuries before in colonial New England. This photo gallery shows a variety of Cape Cod houses, from simple colonial Cape Cods to modern-day Cape Cods with dormers and shutters.
Small, economical, and practical Cape Cod houses were built all across America during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. But the Cape Cod style began centuries before in colonial New England. This photo gallery shows a variety of Cape Cod houses, from simple colonial Cape Cods to modern-day Cape Cods with dormers and shutters.
Georgian Colonial Architecture
The Georgian Colonial style became the rave in New England and the Southern colonies during the 1700's. Stately and symmetrical, these homes imitated the larger, more elaborate Georgian homes that were being built in England.
The Georgian Colonial style became the rave in New England and the Southern colonies during the 1700's. Stately and symmetrical, these homes imitated the larger, more elaborate Georgian homes that were being built in England.
Colonial House Styles
We often think of a Colonial house as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows around a central front door. Yet America’s colonial architecture comes in many shapes and sizes. This article from Realtor Magazine Online explains how to recognize the various Colonial styles.
We often think of a Colonial house as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows around a central front door. Yet America’s colonial architecture comes in many shapes and sizes. This article from Realtor Magazine Online explains how to recognize the various Colonial styles.
Colonial Houses
A photo gallery of 17th century architecture in New England, from the Digital Archives at Boston College.
A photo gallery of 17th century architecture in New England, from the Digital Archives at Boston College.
History of Architecture in Colonial America
No photos here, but these lecture notes by Valerie Ann Polino for the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute provide a detailed, scholarly discussion of the development of housing styles in Colonial America.
No photos here, but these lecture notes by Valerie Ann Polino for the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute provide a detailed, scholarly discussion of the development of housing styles in Colonial America.