Essex on Lake Champlain
\"Essex
  • About
    • Essex, New York (Town)
      • Essex Maps
      • Essex, New York Weather
      • Town of Essex Government
      • Close
    • Essex on Lake Champlain (Blog)
      • Contributors
      • Sponsors
      • Testimonials
      • Get Involved
      • Close
    • Close
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Calendar
    • Add an Event
    • Upcoming Events
    • Close
  • Essex on Lake Champlain
  • Connect
    • Social Media
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Google +
      • Pinterest
      • YouTube
      • Flickr
    • Newsletters
    • GET INVOLVED
    • CONTACT
        • Your Name (required)

          Your Email (required)

          Subject (required)

          Your Message

      • Close
    • Shop
    • Search
        • Search
          • Close
        • Categories
            • Agriculture (513)
            • Architecture (74)
            • Arts (323)
            • Business (122)
            • Daily Doodle (62)
            • Dining (151)
            • Doodle Quotes (5)
            • Doodlebomb (3)
            • Education (293)
            • Entertainment (339)
            • Environment (27)
            • Essex Doodles (62)
            • Events (1549)
            • Exercise (54)
            • Government (246)
            • Health & Wellness (132)
            • Heritage (384)
            • History (174)
            • Hyperlocal (28)
            • Landscape (35)
            • Lifestyle (197)
            • Lodging (16)
            • Music (258)
            • Nature (247)
            • News (1106)
            • Nightlife (18)
            • Obituary (9)
            • Opinion (44)
            • Outdoors (176)
            • People (112)
            • Philanthropy (69)
            • Real Estate (3)
            • Recreation (204)
            • Resources (7)
            • Services (7)
            • Shopping (91)
            • Sports (21)
            • Transportation (71)
            • Worship (17)
          • Close
        • Archives
            • June 2018 (21)
            • May 2018 (30)
            • April 2018 (28)
            • March 2018 (30)
            • February 2018 (31)
            • January 2018 (26)
            • December 2017 (23)
            • November 2017 (25)
            • October 2017 (22)
            • September 2017 (32)
            • August 2017 (35)
            • July 2017 (30)
            • June 2017 (30)
            • May 2017 (35)
            • April 2017 (31)
            • March 2017 (33)
            • February 2017 (30)
            • January 2017 (35)
            • December 2016 (30)
            • November 2016 (37)
            • October 2016 (43)
            • September 2016 (53)
            • August 2016 (49)
            • July 2016 (59)
            • June 2016 (70)
            • May 2016 (57)
            • April 2016 (64)
            • March 2016 (69)
            • February 2016 (56)
            • January 2016 (46)
            • December 2015 (39)
            • November 2015 (43)
            • October 2015 (61)
            • September 2015 (57)
            • August 2015 (61)
            • July 2015 (54)
            • June 2015 (41)
            • May 2015 (67)
            • April 2015 (66)
            • March 2015 (72)
          • Load More
          • Close
        • Contact us
          • CONTACT US

              Your Name (required)

              Your Email (required)

              Subject (required)

              Your Message

            • Close
        • Close
      • Log In
        • Log Into Calendar
        • Log Into Blog
        • Close
      • Skip to primary navigation
      • Skip to main content
      • Skip to primary sidebar
      • Skip to footer

      Essex on Lake Champlain

      Essex, New York Community Blog Since 2011

      • Lifestyle
        • Agriculture
          • CSAs in Essex, NY
            • Essex Farm
            • Full and By Farm
          • Farmstead Catering
          • The Hub on the Hill
          • Reber Rock Farm
        • Outdoors
          • Champlain Area Trails (CATS)
          • Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center
        • Entertainment
          • Champlain Valley Film Series
          • Whallonsburg Grange Hall
        • Arts
          • Adirondack Art Association
          • Essex Community Concerts
          • Champlain Valley Film Series
          • Essex Poetry Open Mic
        • Music
          • Essex Community Concerts
        • Shopping
        • Recreation
          • Champlain Area Trails (CATS)
        • Health & Wellness
          • Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness
          • NEW Health
        • Nature
          • Champlain Area Trails (CATS)
        • Education
          • CFES Brilliant Pathways
          • Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center
        • Nightlife
        • Worship
      • Events
        • Christmas in Essex
        • Downtown Essex Day
        • Fourth of July in Essex, NY
      • Dining
        • Chez Lin & Rays
        • Essex Ice Cream Cafe
        • Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast
        • Farmstead Catering
        • Old Dock Restaurant
        • The Pink Pig Cafe
      • Lodging
        • Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast
        • The Cupola House and Cottage
      • Transportation
        • Essex-Charlotte Ferry
      • Heritage
        • Architecture
          • Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler’s Field Guide
        • Historic Essex
        • History
        • People
        • Government
          • Essex Post Office
          • Town of Essex Government
        • Vintage Essex Trivia
        • Vintage Essex Artifacts
      • Directory
        • Adirondack Art Association
        • Champlain Area Trails (CATS)
        • CFES Brilliant Pathways
        • The Cupola House and Cottage
        • Essex-Charlotte Ferry
        • Essex Farm
        • Essex Ice Cream Cafe
        • Essex Initiatives
        • Essex Post Office
        • Farmstead Catering
        • Full and By Farm
        • Historic Essex
        • Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness
        • NEW Health
        • Pedal Power
        • Reber Rock Farm
        • The Hub on the Hill
        • Town of Essex Government
        • Whallonsburg Grange Hall
      • Show Search
      Hide Search
      You are here: Home / Architecture / Federal Architecture in Essex, New York

      Federal Architecture in Essex, New York

      March 12, 2013 By Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

      Federal architecture, sometimes referred to as the Federalist or Adam style, was a highly popular style in many places throughout the newly independent colonies from about 1780-1840. Architect Robert Adam influence swept America during the awakening of our national identity resulting in a strong association between emerging American pride and nationalism and Federal architecture (About.com Architecture).

      Hickory Hill in Essex, NY
      Hickory Hill: Federal Architecture in Essex, NY

      Today many historians consider Federal architecture an evolution (or refinement) of the earlier Georgian architectural style, and indeed it is sometimes easy to confuse the two. The difference is in the details. Georgian architecture is characterized by rigid symmetry and square, angular proportions. Federal architecture is more likely to incorporate curved lines and decorative flourishes.

      [T]here is a lightness and restrained delicacy to Federal architectural components in comparison to their heavier, more ponderous Georgian counterparts. (Historic New England)

      Federal Architecture Elements

      Billings Stone Cottage (Photo: virtualDavis)
      Billings Stone Cottage: Federal Architecture in Essex, NY

      Federal houses in the Northeast were typically clapboard (Historic New England). A simple square or rectangular box shape, two or three stories high and two rooms deep was the typical form; although some buildings were or have since been made larger by adding projecting wings or attached dependencies (Wentworth Studio).

      Many Federal design elements are understated with decoration often focused on a porch or entry element. Typical decorative embellishments include “elliptical, circular, and fan-shaped motifs formed by fluted radiating lines” (Wentworth Studio).

      The average […] Federal house never presented an ostentatious display of wealth, that was to come later in the Victorian period; but rather a carefully balanced and refined design which reflected a moral philosophy emphasizing thrift, virtue, and good taste… (Essex: The Architectural Heritage. 16).

      Common features include:

      • Low-pitched roof, or flat roof with a balustrade
      • Windows arranged symmetrically around a center doorway
      • Double-hung sash windows (six over six) sash separated by thin wooden muntins
      • Semicircular fanlight over the front door
      • Narrow side windows flanking the front door
      • Decorative crown or roof over front door
      • Palladian window
      • Circular or elliptical windows
      • Shutters
      • Decorative swags, garlands, and urns
      • Oval rooms and arches
      • Pilasters
      • Columns with elaborate capitals
      • Fluting and fans
      • Detailed cornices

      Federal Architecture Details in Essex, NY

      [T]he historic Town of Essex, one of the most unspoiled ensembles of Federal and Greek Revival village architecture in rural America […], founded in the 18th century, was listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. (Historic Essex)

      Greystone Cottage, Essex, NY
      Greystone Cottage, Essex, NY

      Hickory Hill is described as the most prominent example of the Federal architecture style in Essex, NY by the Essex County Historical Organization (ECHO).

      • Greystone Cottage
      • Harmon Noble House (transitional b/w Greek Revival and Federal)
      • Greystone (transitional b/w Greek Revival and Federal)
      • Hickory Hill
      • Rosslyn (Georgian w/ Federal and Greek Revival elements)
      • Dr. Samuel Shumway House (some Greek Revival influences)
      • Charles G. Fancher House
      • Essex Inn (with later Greek Revival additions)
      • John Gould House (some Greek Revival features)
      • Wright’s Inn
      • Billings Stone Cottage
      • Crystal Spring Farm

      If you know of any more buildings in Essex have some Federal architectural features please share your insights in the comments!

      Sources

      “1780 – 1840: Federal and Adam House Styles.” About.com Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2013.

      “Essex: An Architectural Guide.” Essex Community Heritage Organization, 1986. “Essex Village Historic District.” Living Places. Ed. Julia Gombach. The Gombach Group, 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. .

      Hislop, David C., Jr. Essex on Lake Champlain. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub., 2009. Print. Images of America.

      “Historic Essex.” Historic Essex. Essex Community Heritage Organization. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.essexny.org/>.

      Historic New England. “Architectural Style Guide.” Historic New England. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2013.

      Howe, Jeffery. “Federalist Architecture in America.” Federalist Architecture in America. Boston College, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.

      McNulty, George F., and Margaret Scheinin. Essex; the Architectural Heritage. Burlington, VT: Queen City Printers, 1971. Print.

      Wentworth Studio. “Historic Styles / Federal/Adam Style 1780-1840.” Federal Style Architecture Facts and History. Wentworth Studio, 2013. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.

      Related articles
      • Hickory Hill
      • Rosslyn
      • Greystone Cottage
      • Billings Stone Cottage
      • Georgian Architecture in Essex, New York

      Share this:

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Pinterest
      • Email
      • More
      • Print
      • LinkedIn
      • Pocket
      • Reddit
      • Tumblr

      Filed Under: Architecture Tagged With: Billings Stone Cottage, Charles G. Fancher House, Dr. Samuel Shumway House, Essex Inn, Essex Village Historic District, Federal architecture, Georgian architecture, Greek Revival architecture, greystone, Greystone Cottage, Harmon Noble House, Hickory Hill, John Gould House, National Register of Historic Places, Robert Adam, Wright's Inn

      About Editorial Staff

      Posts published under the Editorial Staff byline are drawn from press releases and other notices, and/or they may be first-time submissions from someone/some organization without a byline of their own; if latter, then the author will be acknowledged in the post. To submit your news for publication on the Essex blog please use the Submit a Story form or contact the editors via email (blue button above), Facebook or Twitter.

      Reader Interactions

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Rewilding Earth Unplugged: Best of Rewilding Earth 2018 

      Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide

      View all Essex Editions books...

      Follow Essex, NY on FacebookFollow Essex, NY on TwitterFollow Essex, NY on PinterestFollow Essex, NY on YouTubeFollow Essex, NY on FlickrFollow Essex, NY on RSS

      Search

      Top 10 Contributors

      • Katie Shepard (585)
      • Geo Davis (394)
      • Whallonsburg Grange Hall (237)
      • Essex Farm (205)
      • Champlain Area Trails (CATS) (200)
      • Olive Alexander (190)
      • Sara Kurak (165)
      • Tom Mangano (142)
      • Fort Ticonderoga (142)
      • Lakeside School (116)

      Upcoming Events

      Click to enlarge.

      Recruit NY at Essex Fire Dept.

      April 24 @ 10:00 am At Essex Fire Department

      The Essex Fire Department, Whallonsburg Fire Department, and Willsboro-Essex EMS will be participati… [Continue Reading]

      CANCELLED – Reel Talk: MINARI

      April 24 @ 7:30 pm At Whallonsburg Grange Hall

      We intended to have one last Reel Talk in our Spring Series, but due to the continued high cost of d… [Continue Reading]

      Click to enlarge.

      Essex Community Church Sunday Service

      April 25 @ 11:00 am At Essex Community Church

      In the spirit of fellowship and community that defines us, we welcome everyone who wants to celebrat… [Continue Reading]

      Click to enlarge.

      Essex Community Suppers

      April 25 @ 4:00 pm

      Join us for Community Supper — All are Welcome! Sundays, 4-5:30PM Free farm-to-table suppers — t… [Continue Reading]

      Footer

      Resources & Policies

      • About Essex on Lake Champlain
      • About Essex, New York
      • Essex, NY Weather
      • Disclosure Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Submit a Story
      • Contact Us

      Popular Essex, NY Searches

      • Essex, NY
      • Essex, New York
      • Essex on Lake Champlain
      • Essex Charlotte ferry
      • Essex ferry schedule
      • Essex Charlotte ferry schedule
      • Full and By Farm
      • Essex Farm
      • timber rattlesnake
      • Essex NY fireworks
      • Christmas in Essex, NY
      • Champlain Area Trails

      Local Links

      • Adirondack Art Association
      • Belden Noble Memorial Library
      • Champlain Area Trails
      • Champlain Valley Film Series
      • Essex Community Concerts
      • Essex Theatre Company
      • Historic Essex
      • Rosslyn Redux
      • The Crater Club
      • Town of Essex Information
      • Whallonsburg Grange Hall

      Copyright © 2021 Essex Editions

      loading Cancel
      Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
      Email check failed, please try again
      Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.