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"Name That House!" was originally published in Yankee Magazine in June, 1997

New England Architecture | Guide to House Styles in New England


From Colonial, Georgian, and Federal to Greek Revival and Victorian, here's a guide to New England architecture for the roadside historian.


Whether they come as leaf peepers, antiques hunters, or Freedom Trailers, travelers in New England frequently find themselves gawking at houses and New England architecture. And no wonder. With nearly 400 years of settlement behind it, New England hosts a collection of architectural styles that are older and more varied than in any other part of the country.


We probably know more about old houses and New England architecture than we realize. Because we see houses every day and know them from our history lessons, most of us carry around in our heads a subconscious inventory of house forms. In the same way most people can tell a duck from a heron even without knowing its proper name, most people instinctively distinguish a saltbox from a Second Empire and a Cape Cod from a Queen Anne. But knowing some of the distinguishing details, and a little of their history, can deepen one’s appreciation of the unique personality of each town or city one visits. Here, then, is a guide to five common New England house styles dating from 1630 to 1900.


More Information: Nancy Zerbey October 4, 2018

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