Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (2024)

Architecture in the 19th and 20th Centuries

While Salem is best known for its First period and Federal architecture,equally outstanding buildings from later periods can be foundin the Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Victorian Gothic,and Colonial Revival styles.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (1)The Joseph Winn, Jr. House 1843National Register of Historic PlacesPrivate Home

The Greek Revival style is often called the"first truly American style". This style arose out of theyoung nation's desire to identify with the ideals and architectureof the ancient Greek Republic and was heightened by the Greek Revolutionin 1821. This example was built for Joseph Winn, Jr., a wholesaleshoe businessman and the former captain of the St. Paul,the largest Salem trading vessel of its era.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (2)The Francis Cox House 1846National Register of Historic PlacesPrivate Home

The Italianate style was inspired by thevernacular farmhouse architecture of the Italian country villas. Thedwelling shown is one of Salem's earliest Italianate buildings. This styleis most frequently identified by heavy wooden brackets or pendants. Whilefew Salem houses exemplify the Italianate style, bracketing was commonlyadded to Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival houses in an attempt tomodernize them.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (3)The Leonard Harrington House 1871National Register of Historic PlacesPrivate Home

This Second Empire dwelling was built for Boston leather dealer Leonard Harrington, Jr. The "Second Empire" refers to the the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, when Mansart introduced the hallmark double-pitched roof in his design of the Louvre in France. This style is also sometimes referred to as the Mansard or French Academy style.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (4)The Putnam-Balch House 1871-1872National Register of Historic PlacesPrivate Home

This majestic Victorian eclectic mansion,known as "Greymoor&quot, demonstrates the possibilities of woodenornamentation in the immediate post-Civil war period. This buildingprovides an "eclectic" mixture of the decorative details ofthe French Academic and Italianate styles.

Other Victorian forms such as the "Stick" style are wellrepresented in the Salem Willows area while examples of the Queen AnneVictorian style are scattered throughout the city.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (5)The Robert M. Mahoney House c. 1916-1917Private Home

Architect A. G. Richardson borrowed the forms and features ofGeorgian Revivaland Federal building in his design concepts for this handsomebrick residence built for lawyer Robert M. Mahoney. Theprevious building on the site was swept away by the greatSalem fire of 1914.

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture   19th & 20th Centuries: Overview (2024)

FAQs

Salem Massachusetts - Salem Architecture 19th & 20th Centuries: Overview? ›

Architecture in the 19th and 20th Centuries

What were the 1920s architectural details? ›

Apart from the Art Deco, dominant style in the 1920s architecture in the US were also Neo-Gothic, buildings that featured decorative finials, patterns, scalloping and moldings with heavily arched windows, Baux-Arts, a movement featuring Neo-classical French and Italian designs, and Prairie Style, a quintessential ...

What is the historical significance of Salem, Massachusetts? ›

Salem has played a prominent part in our country's history. In fact, during Revolutionary times, the first armed resistance in this-country to British authority, was made by a party of Salem patriots at the North Bridge in this city on Feb. 26, 1775.

What were the styles of houses in Salem? ›

Some of the most popular styles in Salem were Greek, Gothic and Italianate. The Greek Revival (c. 1830-c.

What was Salem like in the late 1600s? ›

Residents of Salem Village were mostly poor farmers who made their living cultivating crops in the rocky terrain. Salem Town, on the other hand, was a prosperous port town at the center of trade with London. Most of those living in Salem Town were wealthy merchants.

What was the architectural design in the 20th century? ›

Rationalism is considered the main architectural style of the 20th century. The Bauhaus style, with its cradle in the German design school of the same name, and the Soviet brutalism, styles of which we will now speak, were derived from this current.

What was the architecture movement in the 20th century? ›

Modernism in architecture

Rejecting ornament and embracing minimalism, Modernism became the single most important new style or philosophy of architecture and design of the 20th century.

What is the architecture of Salem Massachusetts? ›

While Salem is best known for its First period and Federal architecture, equally outstanding buildings from later periods can be found in the Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Victorian Gothic, and Colonial Revival styles. The Greek Revival style is often called the "first truly American style".

What type of homes probably existed in Salem? ›

Early homes in Salem were built in English and New England styles such as the Cape Cod, New England Large houses, and the Saltbox House, designed for efficiency, warmth, and survival during harsh winters.

Does Salem, Massachusetts still have old houses? ›

Salem, MA has about 18 First Period houses (built during the first century of English settlement, approximately 1620-1720.

What are some cool facts about Salem Massachusetts? ›

10 Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister, is named for Salem resident Sir George Downing. Downing left Salem in 1645 and went on to a distinguished career as a diplomat and military officer in service to the crown. Salem has the oldest pear tree in America. The Endicott pear tree is over 375 years old.

Who were the 19 witches of Salem? ›

Nineteen accused witches were hanged on Gallows Hill in 1692:
  • July 19. Rebecca Nurse. Sarah Good. Susannah Martin. Elizabeth Howe. Sarah Wildes.
  • August 19. George Burroughs. Martha Carrier. John Willard. George Jacobs, Sr. John Proctor.
  • September 22. Martha Corey. Mary Eastey. Ann Pudeator. Alice Parker. Mary Parker. Wilmott Redd.

What was society like in Salem? ›

The settlers of Salem were a small, isolated group of people living a tough life. These shared hardships created a strong sense of community. The community was a theocracy - a society where people see God as their ruler. This mean's Salem's laws would have closely followed the religious laws in the Bible.

What was the new architectural style that became popular in the 1920s? ›

Art Deco is a popular design style of the 1920s and '30s characterized especially by sleek geometric or stylized forms and by the use of man-made materials.

What were the features of the 1920s houses? ›

These houses are mainly characterized by a stucco exterior and a tiled roof, while more ornate versions feature columns, pilasters, patterned tiles, stonework, and iron window grilles. Mediterranean homes represented wealth and grandeur, and remained popular until the Great Depression.

What were the elements of design in the 1920s? ›

1920's interior design featured bold, dramatic colour schemes that emanated luxury and opulence. Dark rose, jade green and taupe colour schemes were prominently used, while elaborate ornamentation – such as silver and gold effects painted onto ceilings – were incorporated to add a touch of glamour.

Which of these was a modern style of architecture in the 1920s? ›

The styles of the Modern Movement, Art Deco, Moderne and International, began in Europe and spread to the United States in the 1920s.

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