A sweet Second Empire style house. The Mansard roof form that turns an Italianate style house into a Second Empire style house comes from France and was typically called a “French roof” during the 19th century – when all things Parisian were in vogue.
A 1924 photo of this house shows that it is largely intact today but has lost some detailing at the corners of the Mansard roof and on its porch posts and railing. With the documentation in the photo, it would be relatively easy to return this house to its original appearance.
Understanding the style of a house will help you understand which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation. Second Empire is one of 25 historic architectural styles and types described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners. Winner of the MWPA 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award, the 720-page best-selling hardcover book is available in bookstores and from online retailers (it is currently 34% off on Amazon! http://ow.ly/Uumq50zRjJ5).
Signed and personalized copies are available directly from the author on this site, click here: https://yourhistorichouse.com/shop/.
Bookstores can order copies from W.W. Norton.
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