A sweet Second Empire style house in Portland, Maine. 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 identify which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation.
Second Empire is one of 25 historic architectural styles 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 by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
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