The Greek Revival Style

Beginning in the 1820's, American architects were influenced by design books filled with buildings loosely based on ancient Greek temples. This style was popular with some because Ancient Greece had the first democracy and the United States was still a very young one. When the name of a style has "revival" in it, it doesn't mean buildings were actually copied. Rather, certain details, decorations and proportions are borrowed and used in new ways. American Greek Revival is best exemplified by the stately southern plantation mansions with their ranks of imposing columns. However, in 1830 to 1850 in backwoods Indiana, the Greek Revival structures were more modest.

Built of brick around 1840 the Brenner house (ABOVE) shows many details common to Greek Revival houses. The proportions tend to be more squat or heavy than in Federal architecture. The smooth building surface is interrupted by slightly projecting stone window sills. The window openings are arranged symmetrically, but are not as long and graceful as Federal openings. One of the most telling traits of Greek Revival houses is found in the gable ends. The roof line is framed by heavy moldings of wood and additional moldings run horizontally to complete the triangle suggested by the gable. This was in imitation of the triangular entrances or pediments found on Greek temples. Note that the use of gable end chimneys is also common in Greek Revival.

Another example, this one framed with clapboard siding, is the Chief's house (ABOVE) located at the Historic Forks of the Wabash and built around 1837. Note the symmetrical arrangement of doors and windows. The typically proportioned windows contain 6 over 6 windows, another trait shared by Federal and Greek Revival. Note the entrance way is recessed, a typical treatment in Greek Revival houses and an interruption of the building surface, which we wouldn't see in a Federal structure.

A detail of the front entrance to the Chief's house. Here we see more clearly how deeply recessed it is. Also, we can see the narrow window above the door flanked by two slender windows called "sidelights". This is typical of Greek Revival main doorways. Framing the doorway, we see flat pieces of wood with projecting bases and moldings at the top. These are called "pilasters". They support a wider, horizontal trim element with additional moldings and a cornice. This is called an "entablature". Both pilasters and entablatures are decorative elements taken from Greek temples.

Examples of Greek Revival houses are to be found throughout Huntington County. This modest example on Poplar Street in Huntington was built around 1850. We see the squat proportions, the simple gable with its moldings. Note that the moldings that should complete the bottom of the triangle are not continuous. This is often seen on Greek Revival houses. Also note the porch, which is an addition from the late 1800's. You may also see that the windows have been enlarged and the glass replaced. Many Greek Revivals hide behind bric-a-brac that was added to "modernize" them to the fancier tastes of the Victorian period.

SUMMARY

Between 1830 and 1860 Huntington County house builders used a version of Greek Revival style architecture that reflected the use of simple hand tools and provincial craftsmanship available on America's western frontier.

Proceed to the Gothic Revival Exhibit.