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Architecture Timeline: A Comprehensive Guide to American Architecture and Hardware

From the humble beginnings of Colonial settlements to the bold statements of Modernism, America’s rich history tells a detailed story of our country’s architectural evolution. Below, we journey through five historical periods—the Colonial Era, the Federal Period, the Victorian Era, the Arts & Crafts Movement, and the Modernist Period—tracing how changing social values, technological advances, and cultural shifts shaped the way Americans designed and built their homes and public spaces. We also explore the staple characteristics, significant events, and enduring influences of America's major architectural movements.

1. Colonial Period (1600s-1770s)

America’s Colonial Era began in the early 17th century, marked by the arrival of European settlers and the 1607 founding of the first stable English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia. Colonial architecture differed depending on the settlers' origins, the resources available in their new regions, and the climate.

Architecture From the Colonial Period:

  • Southern Colonial. Uniform plantation houses with columned porches, centered doors, and large windows.
  • New England Colonial. Wooden construction, small windows, central chimneys, and saltbox roofs.
  • Mid-Atlantic Colonial. Brick construction, symmetrical exteriors, decorative doorways, and side gables.

The hardware used in Colonial Era constructions was designed for functionality and decorative appeal. Blacksmiths used wrought iron to craft decorative finials, hand-forged latches and locks, and hand-wrought nails. The H and HL hinges, named for their shapes, were common in this period, serving a functional purpose and reinforcing doors against warping. In more affluent homes, imported brass hardware from England was often used as a status symbol.

 
Colonial Surface Slide Bolt with curled handle - Wild West Hardware
Finials Latches Hand-Forged Nails

 

Significant Architectural Events in the Colonial era:

  • 1705: The construction of the Virginia State Capitol at Williamsburg. While the building was designed in Britain’s popular Georgian style, it was among the earliest major municipal centers in the United States and created a model for future government buildings.
  • 1737: The completion of the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington, Massachusetts. The saltbox-style home represents classic New England Colonial architecture. At the onset of the American Revolution in 1775, it served as a refuge site for John Hancock and Samuel Adams on the eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Today, the home functions as a museum for research and education.
  • 1747: The completion of Drayton Hall near Charleston, South Carolina. This plantation house is recognized as one of North America's best examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture.

Rustic Style: Modern Representations of Colonial Simplicity

The Rustic Style features Colonial designs, such as wooden beams, stone fireplaces, wrought iron hardware, and handcrafted furniture, celebrating the period's natural architectural beauty. While modern-day advancements do not require us to hand-produce our supplies and furniture, many vendors use local materials and expert skills to hand-make items well-suited for rustic-style homes.

2. Federal Period (1780s-1830s)

As the United States declared its independence, the transition into the Federal Period saw the development of the new nation's distinct architectural character. Federal architecture was inspired by ancient Roman styles and the Age of Enlightenment, embodying a balance between elegance and refinement.

Architecture From the Federal Period:

  • Townhouses. Brick exteriors, multi-story, low-pitched roofs, and half-circular and elliptical fanlights above doorways.
  • Private homes. Half-circular and elliptical fanlights, detailed door trim, and decorative crown molding.
  • Government buildings. Columns, pediments, and dome roofs to resemble Roman and Greek temples.

Federal Period hardware was much more polished than iron hardware from the Colonial Period. Butt hinges replaced the previously popular H and HL hinges for a more sophisticated look. New metal methods made brass hardware more accessible, and brass was regularly used for doorknobs, door knockers, and intricate rim locks.

Brass Hardware Door Knockers 

 

Significant Architectural Events in the Federal Era:

  • 1782: The bald eagle was adopted as America's official national symbol, and eagle motifs became prevalent in the era’s hardware.
  • 1792: Construction began on the White House in Washington, D.C., designed by James Hoban in the Neoclassical style.
  • 1797: The completed First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, showcased a preference for Greek Revival elements and signaled the eventual transition to the next phase of American architecture.
  • 1800: Charles Bulfinch designed the Massachusetts State House in Boston, featuring a prominent golden dome and neoclassical elements.

Antique Style: An Ode to Federal Architecture

The Antique Style draws inspiration from Federal-era architecture, highlighting the cultured beauty of this early American period. This style is characterized by antique furnishings, traditional crown molding, polished wood floors, and historically-inspired decorations reminiscent of Federal designs. Antique Style brings authentic American heritage into your home, creating an environment that is grand, inviting, and an ode to Federal architecture's craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal.

3. Victorian Era (1830s-1900s)

The Victorian Era, named after Queen Victoria's reign, was a period of intensive industrialization and societal changes that brought an intrigue of romantic, eclectic, and ornamental designs.

Architecture From the Victorian Era:

  • Gothic Revival. Pointed arches, steep roofs, detailed wooden trim, and expansive stained glass windows.
  • Italianate. Low-slope roofs, tall arched windows, overhanging eaves, ornamental brackets.
  • Second Empire. Mansard roofs, gabled dormers, and varied textures and materials inspired by French architecture.
  • Queen Anne. Wrap-around porches, non-uniform exteriors, and extensive decorative trim and spindles.

Manufacturing advancements and the ability to mass-produce ornate designs brought heavily patterned and embellished hardware to the Victorian Era. Hinges, doorknobs, doorbell pulls, and window hardware were crafted from brass and bronze, while cast iron was popular for detailing gates and railings. Machine-made screws and Linus Yale Jr.’s creation of the first pin-tumbler lock also enhanced home security without disrupting the striking aesthetics of this era.

Faux Shutter Dogs Tiebacks - Stippled Scroll - 6-3/4 Inch - Black Powder Coat
Flat Head Slotted Screws - 2 1/2" x #9 oil rubbed bronze finish (near black) - Wild West Hardware
Bronze Hardware Cast Iron Hardware Screws

 

Significant Architectural Events in the Victorian Era:

  • 1842: The completion of Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis to include a steeply pitched roof, stone exterior, stained glass windows, and elaborate detailing, this Gothic Revival mansion is an iconic representation of the grandeur of the Victorian era.
  • 1883: The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge was a testament to the era's architectural engineering and manufacturing advancements while making an impressive statement with its Gothic Revival-style towers.
  • 1886: The completion of the Carson Mansion in Eureka, California. Designed by brothers Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom, this Queen Anne-style mansion is regarded for its complex gingerbread detailing, gabled roofs, central tower, and green exterior.

Restoration Style: A Modern Effort to Preserve Victorian Architecture

The Restoration Style demonstrates a renewed desire to preserve the Victorian era's historic architecture, intricate details, and impressive craftsmanship. This style emphasizes using period-specific materials and techniques to replicate authentic Victorian elements in exterior and interior design. The movement is evident in preserving Victorian properties, like the iconic “Painted Ladies” in San Francisco, which shows appreciation for architectural heritage and history in a modern city.

4. The Arts & Crafts Movement (1860-1920)

The Arts & Crafts Movement emerged as people’s distaste for the Industrial Revolution’s mass production became more prominent. This movement highlighted the quality of handcrafted products, the art of simplicity, and the impact of working with natural materials.

Architecture From the Arts & Crafts Movement:

  • Craftsman. Low-pitched roofs with wide eaves, exposed rafters, and built-in custom furniture (bookcases, benches, etc.).
  • Prairie School. Flat and hipped roofs with overhanging eaves and windows set in a horizontal row.
  • Mission Revival. Untextured stucco walls, red tile roofs, archways, and bell towers resembled Spanish colonial missions.
  • American Foursquare. Box-shaped, large front porches, two or two-and-a-half stories, typically with four rooms on each floor.

Hardware during the Arts & Crafts Movement emphasized the period’s preference for handmade quality and natural materials, with a particular emphasis on hand-forged hardware. Door handles, light fixtures, hinges, and other primary hardware were regularly crafted from hammered copper, dark patina brass, and wrought iron. Strap hinges were popular during this time, and leaf and floral motifs were prevalent in decorative hardware, reflecting the importance of natural elements.

 
Floral Style Clavos - Oil Rubbed Bronze finish - Wild West Hardware
Copper Hardware Strap Hinges Floral Hardware

 

Significant Architectural Events in the Arts & Crafts Movement:

  • 1903: The founding of the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in Woodstock, New York. Established by Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, Jane Byrd McCall, and Bolton Brown, the colony was widely recognized for its dedication to the Arts & Crafts movement. The community hand-produced furniture, metalwork, textiles, and pottery. 
  • 1908: The completion of Gamble House in Pasadena, California. Charles and Henry Greene designed the bungalow-style home as a testament to the Craftsman style, utilizing natural materials, installing custom-designed furniture, and ensuring it integrated naturally with the surrounding environment.
  • 1910: The completion of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Chicago, Illinois. Lloyd designed the home in Prairie School style, with horizontal lines and wide, overhanging eaves. He also created all furnishings to ensure cohesion between the property’s interior and exterior.

Farmhouse Style: A Modern Interpretation of Arts & Crafts Practices

The natural simplicity of the Arts & Crafts Movement inspires modern-day farmhouses. Farmhouse-style interiors combine contemporary elements with handcrafted details, like unfinished wood, exposed beams, and vintage-style hardware, reflecting a modern appreciation for the craftsmanship and use of raw materials the Arts & Crafts Movement is known for.

5. The Modernist Period (1890-1970)

In 1896, architect Louis H. Sullivan wrote that “form should follow function,” a phrase and practice that became widely used in the Modernist Period. This era was a stark contrast to earlier periods, and where historic styles had once been popular, minimalist and abstract designs took their place. The use of new technologies and materials simplified this transition.

Architectural Styles From the Modernist Period:

  • International Style. Flat roofs, non-weight-bearing glass walls, minimal decorative elements, and open spaces.
  • Bauhaus. Functional design, geometric shapes, a blend of artistic creativity, quality craftsmanship, and modern technologies.
  • Brutalism. Prominent geometric shapes, exposed concrete, steel beams, and unfinished hardware.
  • Mid-Century Modern. Clean lines, bright and airy open floorplans, and large windows to bring nature indoors.

Modernist hardware emphasized functionality and simplicity over the ornate. Door handles, cabinet pulls, lever handles, and push plates were designed in geometric shapes for ease of use. The latter two became especially popular for their minimalist appearance. In the early 1920s, Walter Schlage invented the tubular lock, making door hardware easier to use and better fitting modern aesthetics.

Plain Rectangular Gate Thumb Latch - Matte Black powder coat finish - Wild West Hardware
Classic Push Plate - Wild West Hardware
Modern Door Handles Modern Cabinet Pulls  Modern Push Plates

 

Significant Architectural Events in the Modernist Period:

  • 1937: Completion of Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this property is in a wooded area and features large windows to carry the outdoors inside the open floorplan home. The large, projecting terraces are supported by concrete and depict the Modernist Period’s use of new materials and experimentation with structural capabilities.
  • 1949: Completion of the Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. Philip Johnson built this glass home supported by steel frames. There are no interior walls except for a cylindrical brick bathroom.
  • 1958: Opening of the Seagram Building in New York City. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson designed this skyscraper with clean, vertical lines accentuated by decorative bronze I-beams and visible steel frames. The design also included a plaza, creating communal space between the street and the building. This set a trend for future skyscraper designs.

Industrial and Modern Styles: Current Implementations of Early Modernism

The Modernist Period’s emphasis on raw materials and aesthetic functionality inspired the Industrial Style, which uses visual structural elements and prominent metal fixtures to create open, factory-like interiors. The Modern Style is a direct descendant of the Modernist Period. It continues highlighting the clean lines, minimalist concepts, and indoor/outdoor cohesion the period was known for. Both styles embody the Modernist practice of rejecting decorative excess in favor of the “form follows function” mindset.

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