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Early in the history of the United States, the newly formed union of states wanted to distance themselves from everything colonial, including the architecture. The new American people were trying to create their own, individual style and identity. While the people of New Hampshire and Vermont did not reject other architectural styles, they rather reinterpreted them to suit the new country.
Early Colonial Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
Early Colonial-style architecture can be seen in many public buildings dating from the era when the region was still a British colony, as well as the houses of regular ordinary citizens in numerous places across the region. Bennington, Vermont is home to the Old First Church, which can be described as “Vermont's Colonial Shrine.” In addition to the Old First Church, there's also the Catamount Tavern, located on Monument Avenue. This is where patriots during the American Revolution came to plot and scheme against their British colonial overlords.
The Hanover Inn, found on the Dartmouth College campus in Hanover, New Hampshire, has been in business for more than 200 years. Built with Georgian brick, every room in the inn is designed differently in a Colonial style that is trimmed with beige accents, while there are also rose and green designs elsewhere throughout the inn.
Greek Revival Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
Greek Revival-style architecture became popular in the early 1800s. Greek Revival uses design elements such as façades and Corinthian columns, which can still be seen on many old mansions and public buildings in the region. For instance, the gold leaf dome of the Vermont State House (Capitol Building) in Montpelier is visible for many miles around the city. The Capitol Building was done in the Greek Revival architectural style and was completed in 1859. It is built of Barre granite from the famous quarries in the nearby town of Barre, and has a portico with columns in the Doric style.
Georgian Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
The classical architectural style of the 1700s in England was Georgian, originating from Italy's 16th-century design ideas. Most buildings in Vermont and New Hampshire that are built in this style are grand old homes and buildings. Less-decorative façades and columns are strong indicators of this style. The old mansions of Burlington, Vermont and many of the buildings in Concord, New Hampshire's Historic District are wonderful examples of this architectural style. In central Vermont sits Woodstock, one of the state's loveliest and most perfect townscapes. Full of well-preserved buildings reminiscent of vintage New England, the entire town was quite a wealthy area in the early 1900s.
Federal Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
Federal architecture evolved as the interpretation of older, classical styles, with a new American twist. Taking from both Greek and Roman architectural elements, this architectural style, prevalent in the late-18th and early-19th centuries, was supposed to convey democracy and republicanism. Overall, it is a much-toned-down version of Georgian architecture. A couple spots in particular that are home to many prime examples of Federal architecture are the Concord, New Hampshire Historic District and the Strawbery Banke area of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where many houses once belonging to shipping barons can be seen.
Victorian Eclecticism Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
The Victorian Eclecticism architectural style arrived on the New Hampshire and Vermont scene in the mid-1800s. Architecturally speaking, it was essentially an “anything goes” era based on a broad range of elements with a dark, romantic medieval influence. Pointed-arch windows and gingerbread cornices are common elements in this architectural style. The University of New Hampshire in Durham features many buildings that are examples of this “anything goes” Victorian Eclecticism architectural design.
Pre-Depression and Art Deco Architecture in New Hampshire and Vermont
The Burlington Montgomery Ward building was built in 1929 and, for its time, was an engineering achievement accentuated with graceful lines and a colorful façade, which typifies pre-Depression architecture. Additionally, Burlington's Flynn Theatre has a beautiful Art Deco interior that has been lovingly restored.
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