Second Empire 1855-1885
The Second Empire style was one of the first to popularize the Mansard roof with its deep slopes and generous height. New Englanders realized that with a Mansard roof, they were actually adding an entire story onto their homes and this French innovation became quite popular. A Victorian style, the Second Empire home, with its molded cornices and ornate brackets, marked the transition away from classicism.

Greek Revival 1820-1850
Greek Revival homes are characterized by columns located in the entryway, a recessed entrance bordered by small rectangular windows and usually boast a very linear and asymmetrical construction. During this period in America, the Greek ideals of democracy inspired many of the nation's homeowners to erect their houses in this style. Greek Revival homes were usually painted white and flat, rectangular columns were adhered to the facade of the home if the owner could not afford free-standing columns.

Federal 1790-1830
After a newly revived interest in ancient Greece and Rome developed in America, the Federal style blossomed featuring narrow windows and columns, and an ornate but restrained classical detail rebelling against the decadent architecture of Great Britain. Similar to the Georgian style, the original inspiration of Federal architecture has been credited to the discovery of the ruins of Pompeii. Though the Federal style was developed in different proportion than its ancient predecessors, it is exciting to see an architectural influence with such rich historic value so closely affect modern architecture.

Cape Cod 1725-present
One of New England's most popular styles, the Cape Code is a smaller, 1 1/2 story home with lower ceilings, shingled siding, gabled roofs, and simple fronts without ornamentation. The rooms of a Cape Cod home are wrapped around a central fireplace intended to heat then entire household. Modest and efficient, this style experienced a second wave after World War II.

Ranch 1950-1980
The ranch is one of the first examples of widely built modern architecture. Ranches were constructed as one-story homes with garages, pitched roofs, sliding windows, wood or brick exteriors and in many cases siding. As they developed, ranches started to become elevated so that light could penetrate into the basement and the garage was sunken and separated by several stairs.

Georgian 1700-1800
Loring-Greenough House
Georgian architecture, named after King George, was an early Colonial style using many attributes from Classical Italian architecture. Triangular pediments above doorways and palladian windows were among the most common. Other features of the Georgian style include gambrel roofs with low fencing, stonework on the buildings corners and an overall proportion influenced by the Venetian Renaissance.

New England Garrison Colonial 1680-1725 & 1945-present
Originally a European design, this compact design was effective at saving space in crowded city centers. It was later adapted in New England and one famous example is Paul Revere's house in Boston's North End. Original New England Garrison Colonials remain mainly in southern New England, but a more modernized adaptation of this style emerged after the second World War and spread successfully in the United States.

Three Decker 1880-1926
The Three Decker is an exclusively New England phenomenon. Originally crafted by a team of French-Canadian builders working in various parts of Boston, Three Decker homes are famous for allowing light into every side of the building. Often, entire floors of a Three Decker home were rented out to families or workers as Boston's population began to grow.