Numerous examples of this style of construction existed in the antebellum South as slave quarters and later as company housing. This is a twentieth century example.
The Simplicity of the Two Room House
Tag Archives: Architecture
How do you determine if you have a Greek Revival house?
Find out about this and numerous other popular home building styles with Birmingham Historical Society’s book, A Guide to Architectural Styles featuring Birmingham Homes. It features the drawings of Auburn University’s Professor of Architecture, Cheryl Morgan, with descriptions by BHS Director, Marjorie White. Here’s an example:
GREEK REVIVAL
Americans chose the Greek Revival style for early public buildings. In love with the concept of Greek democracy, they built 19th-Century versions of ancient temples to house state capitols and banks. Homeowners also chose this prominent, historic style.
In the South, an elaborate portico became synonymous with the agricultural elite. And although actual
Greek temples were polychrome,
American temple-front houses were almost always white. Their rectangular massing emulated the proportions of the masonry originals.
- Symmetrical façade
- Columned portico (often full-width)
- Classical details: portico, cornice, entablature, columns, pilasters
- Rectangular shape
GREEK REVIVAL
Americans chose the Greek Revival style for early public buildings. In love with the concept of Greek democracy, they built 19th-Century versions of ancient temples to house state capitols and banks. Homeowners also chose this prominent, historic style.
In the South, an elaborate portico became synonymous with the agricultural elite. And although actual
Greek temples were polychrome,
American temple-front houses were almost always white. Their rectangular massing emulated the proportions of the masonry originals.
What is the architectural style of your home?
Curious about whether your home fits the classic description of a particular architectural style? This was the focus of the BHS book, A Guide to Architectural Styles, featuring Birmingham Homes. Line drawings are accompanied by details to look for when determining architectural characteristics. Forty-five popular Birmingham styles include the Bungalow, Cottage, Ranch, Split-Level, Classical Revival, Shotgun, Tudor, Prairie, and Craftsman. An example of the ever popular Craftsman Style home is pictured below:
Who Built The White House?
Find out at a lecture at Samford University, Thursday, October 20th by the president of the White House Historical Association, Stewart McLaurin. Tickets go on sale October 15th HERE
Stewart McLaurin is the president of the White House Historical Association. He will speak at Samford on Thursday evening, October 20. His topic will be James Hoban, the Irish born designer and builder of the White House, and the skilled Europeans, enslaved workers, and free laborers who built the White House.
The event is free and open to the public.
Tickets can be claimed here: Stewart D. McLaurin President of the White House Historical Association
Celebrating a NEW/OLD (1924) Location
An historic 1924 apartment building on Highland Avenue is our NEW/OLD location! Birmingham Historical Society members and volunteers have been slowly moving 37 years of research documents and publications from The Duncan House at Sloss Quarters to 2827 Highland Avenue on Birmingham’s Southside.
Many thanks in particular to Pat & Ehney Camp, The Camp Foundation, John Lauriello with SouthPace Properties, BHS President Wayne Hester, Regina & Blue Ammon, Gerry Waters, Carol Slaughter, Carol Ogle and Marjorie White for making this vision a reality.
Read more about the interesting history of our new location in September’s newsletter HERE. Our mailing address remains P.O. Box 321474/Birmingham, AL 35232.
Birmingham Historical Society 