The antiquities of Greece inspired the Greek Revival style, the most common 19th century architectural style in Vermont. This style was in widespread use from the 1830s until after the Civil War. A bold, orderly style, it was popularized by architectural handbooks for carpenters.

Classical detailing--columns, pilasters, heavily molded wooden entablatures (horizontal trim under roofs and over doors), and pediments--defines the style in houses, churches, stores, and other public buildings. The most elaborate Greek Revival style buildings resemble temples with their roof gables facing forward with monumental columned porticos across the front. Churches and courthouses have ornamented belfries or cupolas. Panelled doors often are flanked by full or three-quarter length sidelights and robust columns or pilasters, and topped by a transom or entablature.

A very common small house is the 1 1/2 story Classic Cottage, decorated with a roofline entablature supported by wide corner board pilasters. The central door also features these stylistic details.

Windows in Greek Revival style houses usually have six panes of glass in each sash. The most popular paint color was white, giving the appearance of pure cut marble.

"Grecian mouldings are composed of parts of ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas and other conic sections, and consist, mostly, of large, bold parts, which are so strongly marked, that each member of the profile is plainly seen at a very considerable distance; and can likewise be executed with less expense than the Roman."

Vermont Heritage Network
Historic Preservation Program
Wheeler House, University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
(802)656-3180
http://www.uvm.edu/~vhnet
E-mail To: vhnet@zoo.uvm.edu