Fabulous Second Empire House with Queen Anne alterations overlooking Casco Bay on the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine.
The defining feature of a Second Empire style building is the Mansard roof. Typically called a French roof in the U.S. during the 19th century, it was popular during a period when all things French were “en vogue” for fashionable middle and upper-class Americans. Second Empire buildings are essentially Italianate in style from the eave line down, but their roof gives them a different identity.
This c. 1870 Italianate house was remodeled in the Queen Anne style c. 1915. The Queen Anne elements include the round bay with conical roof, the full-width porch, and the bay windows. Many historic houses include features from more than one style due to later alterations as seen on this example. Doing physical and documentary research to understand such changes is an essential first step in developing a restoration plan.
Second Empire and Queen Anne are two of 25 styles and types described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors, including Virginia McAlester’s classic “A Field Guide to American Houses.” Save with our multi-book combo packs.
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