American architectural styles of the 18th century were the inspiration for the Colonial Revival style, popular for buildings of all kinds from the late 1800s through the 1930s (and still in use today). Numerous publications featured architectural plans and one could even order Colonial Revival style houses from Sears, Roebuck and other catalogs. In Vermont the style is found nearly everywhere--from residences of the well-to-do in cities to gas stations in small villages.

Architectural elements from earlier periods were used in a regimental manner. Colonial Revival buildings usually were formal and symmetrical. Some were exact replicas of Federal buildings; however the architectural details and massing are distinguished by their large proportions. The Palladian (three part) window became a standard feature of the new style. Porches with classical columns were used in the finest Colonial Revival style buildings, as well as on more modest houses. Elaborately paneled doors are topped by fanlights or pediments, and heavy moldings called entablatures run under the roofs. Windows were the elegant Palladian style, bull's eye (round) windows, or had multiple panes in the top sash and one big pane in the bottom sash. Paint colors returned to the chaste white or light yellows of the Federal era.

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