Mansard Monday ~ Second Empire with open gable Mansard roof? Some houses don’t fall exactly into a particular style. If the lower roof pitch on this house wrapped around the gable end, it would be a full-on Mansard roof, the form that defines a Second Empire style house.
Built in Portland, Maine c. 1870, it is too early to be Queen Anne, the surface treatment is too plain to be Stick Style, and the roof is insufficiently Mansard-ed to be clearly Second Empire. It is much too early to show the influence of the Dutch Colonial Revival gambrel roof form. I consider it a variant of the Second Empire style, but “Eclectic Victorian-era” would also be a safe description.
Understanding the style of a house, even when its stylistic identity is not clear cut, will help you know which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation.
Twenty-five architectural styles and types are 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 online shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles, including Virginia McAlester’s classic “A Field Guide to American Houses.” Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
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