This Week’s Historic House Puzzle ~ Orr’s Island Second Empire.
Click here to go to the free online puzzle: https://yourhistorichouse.com/orrs-island-second-empire-puzzle-2/
The Mansard roof form that turns an Italianate style house into a Second Empire-stylend house comes from France and was typically called a “French roof” during the 19th century – when all things Parisian were in vogue.
Houses in the style range from small wood-framed examples like this Maine island example to impressive masonry mansions. Without the Mansard roof, these houses would be Italianate in style. All their other features are shared with that style. The roof form is what distinguishes the Second Empire style and defines it.
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 described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.” The award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book is available in bookstores and from online retailers.
Signed and personalized copies are available directly from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Want to learn more about historic architectural styles? “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia Savage is the classic book on the subject and is available in our shop.
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
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