Colonial Style (1750 - 1820)

Defining Elements of the Colonial Style:

• One or two-story form, often with an attic level that is one or two rooms deep

• Symmetrical facade, usually three or five bays wide

• A low rubble or cut stone foundation

• Small multi-paneled sash windows located close to the eave

• Usually a huge center chimney

• A central entry door usually paneled, sometimes with a pediment, pilasters or transom window above the door

• Roof form is usually a gable, but sometimes a gambrel or hip roof

• Usually wood frame and wood siding

Examples of Colonial Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

• The Tate House, Westbrook Street, Portland, Maine

Federal Style (1780-1830)

Defining Elements of the Federal Style:

• Usually two or more stories to emphasize height.

• Symmetrical façade, usually five bays wide.

• A high stone foundation sometimes set on an elevated portion of the building lot.

• Multi-paned sash windows symmetrically arranged and often flanked by wooden shutters.

• Usually interior wall chimneys.

• A central entry door with flanking side lights and a fan light above.

• Semicircular or rectangular portico.

• Roof form is usually a low-sloped hip roof or gable roof.

• Details and scale emphasize height and lightness.

• Use of Palladian window common.

• Brick and wood frame construction common.

Examples of Federal Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

Greek Revival (1825-1850)

Defining Elements of the Greek Revival Style:

• One or two stories in height.
• Examples with a symmetrical façade are usually five bays wide. Example with an asymmetrical façade are usually three bays wide.
• Urban examples often asymmetrical with a side hall plan.
• High style examples emulate a Greek temple front with large columns or pilasters supporting a triangular pediment.
• Vernacular examples usually have pilasters and may have a triangular pediment in the gable end.
• Brick and wood frame construction common.
• Large multi-paned double or triple hung sash windows 6/6 or 9/9 window pattern are common.
• Usually a wide cornice band below the eave.
• Entry doors often with ornate lintels and wide pilasters, often with flanking side lights.
• Siding may be flush to simulate a stone surface. 

Examples of Greek Revival Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

• Mariner's Church, Portland
• Winn Road School House, Cumberland

Gothic Style (1840-1880)

Defining Elements of the Gothic Style:

• One or two stories in height.
• Steeply pitched roof with cross gables or gable dormers.
• Usually a symmetrical façade three or five bays wide.
• Pointed arch windows and doors are common.
• Singular or paired multi-paned sash windows, some with leaded glass.
• Decorative verge boards, also called 'gingerbread' trim, in the gable end.
• Wood frame construction is most common, although there are masonry examples.
• Wood siding may be flush to simulate a stone surface. Board and batten siding is common.
• Bay window and porches are common.
• Machine cut trim.
• Thin elaborately detailed brick chimneys.
• Siding may be flush to simulate a stone surface.

Examples of Gothic Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

• The Gothic House, Spring Street, Portland

Italianate Style (1840-1880)

Defining Elements of the Italianate Style:

• One to three stories in height.
• Low pitched roof with wide overhanging eaves. Vernacular examples may have a gable roof with the gable end facing the street.
• Modillions or cornice brackets supporting the overhanging eaves.
• Usually an asymmetrical façade.
• Side hall or center hall plans.
• Decorate quoins at the corners.
• Projecting bays, one or two stories in height and elevated porches are very common.
• Tall narrow windows, some arched or curved at the top. Sometimes paired. 2/2 sashes are common.
• Double entry doors some with arched tops or etched glass.
• Projecting hoods supported by brackets above doors and windows.
• Cupola or tower.
• Wood frame or masonry construction.

Examples of Italianate Architecture in Greater Portland:

• Victoria Mansion, Danforth Street, Portland
• Safford House, High Street, Portland

Second Empire Style (1860-1890)

Defining Elements of the Second Empire Style:

• Similar in detail to Italianate Style, but with a Mansard roof, often with dormers.
• Modillions or cornice brackets supporting the overhanging eaves.
• Symmetrical or asymmetrical façade.
• Side hall or center hall plans.
• Decorate quoins at the corner.
• Projecting bays, one or two stories in height and elevated porches are very common.
• Tall narrow windows, some arched or curved at the top. Sometimes paired. 2/2 sashes are common.
• Projecting hoods supported by brackets above doors and windows.
• Square tower or turret common.
• Wood frame or masonry construction.
• Very common in Portland for buildings constructed after Great Fire of 1866, commercial and multi-family buildings from this period are usually masonry.
• Commercial buildings often have elaborate wood or cast iron storefronts.
• Multi-color slate roofs common.

Examples of Second Empire Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

Eastlake & Stick Styles (1860-1910)

Defining Elements of the Eastlake & Stick Styles:

• Gable or hip roof with projecting eaves and exposed framing.

• Simulated framing on exterior walls, especially in the gable end.

• Symmetrical or asymmetrical façade.

• Side hall or center hall plans.

• Porches with roofs supported by columns with diagonal bracing.

• Projecting bays or upper stories are common.

• Singular or paired windows. 2/2 sashes are common.

• Wood frame.

• Usually wood shingles or board siding.

Examples of Eastland & Stick Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

Queen Anne Style (1870-1910)

Defining Elements of the Queen Anne Style:

• Eclectic form and asymmetrical façade.
• Steeply pitched, irregular roof forms.
• Multiple gables and dormers.
• Irregular floor plans.
• Towers and turrets are common.
• Porches with roofs supported by columns with diagonal bracing.
• Projecting bay or upper stories are common.
• Multiple window shapes and groupings. Geometric glass window panes and stained glass window panes are common.
• Wood frame is usual, although brick examples exist locally.
• Multiple tall narrow chimneys with ornate brickwork and decorate details.
• Multiple textures and siding materials.
• Many bays and extensive porches with machined trim and details.

Examples of Queen Anne Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

Shingle Style (1880-1930)

Defining Elements of the Shingle Style:

• Overarching steeply pitched roof.
• Gambrel roofs are common.
• Wood shingle cladding or roof forms and walls.
• Asymmetrical façade.
• Extensive porches.
• Natural stone foundation.
• Large chimneys, sometimes constructed from natural stone.
• Exaggeration of the horizontal with upper floor overhanging the lower floor and long wrap around porches.

Examples of Shingle Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

• Fifth Maine Museum, Peaks Island, Maine

Colonial Revival (1880 - 1930)

Defining Elements of the Colonial Revival Style:

• Rectangular form, usually symmetrical façade.

• One or two stories.

• Hip, gable or gambrel roofs. Gambrel types are referred to as Dutch Colonial Revival.

• Accentuated front door, often with a portico or pediment supported by pilasters.

• Windows are usually multi-pane sashes commonly grouped in pairs. A single pane in the lower sash is common.

• Porches and enclosed sunroom additions with columns or pilasters are common.

Examples of Colonial Revival Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

Classical Revival (1895-1950)

Defining Elements of the Classical Revival Style:

• Rectangular form, usually symmetrical facade

• Two or more stories

• Gable or low pitched hip roof

• Accentuated front door, often with a portico or rounded fanlight and pilasters

• Details influenced by the Greek Revival style and Greek Temple form

Examples of Classical Revival style in Greater Portland:

• City Hall, Congress Street, Portland

• Nathan Clifford School, Portland

• Cumberland County District Courthouse, Portland

• West Mansion, Portland

Modern and International Style (1945-1975)

Modern and the International Style:

• Flat roof with no ledge or coping at the roof line.
• Smooth unornamented wall surfaces.
• Flush windows with large panes of glass.
• No decorative detailing at doors and windows.
• Asymmetrical façade.

Modern and International Style in Greater Portland:

• South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland. 
• Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave, Portland.
• Woodford's F&B, 660 Forest Ave, Portland. 

Post Modern Style (1965-present)

Defining Elements of the Post Modern Style:

• Mansard, gable, and hip roofs.
• Traditional windows asymmetrically or symmetrically arranged.
• Influenced by traditional building styles, particularly the Colonial Style.
• Very loose interpretations of building details, especially door surrounds and eave details.

Examples of Post Modern Style Architecture in Greater Portland:

• Portland Museum of Art, Congress Square, Portland