This charming Shingle Style cottage was built as the gatehouse for W.A. Bancroft’s “castle” in Groton, Massachusetts in 1902. The “castle,” a large stone and shingle summer house, burned in 1930. Its tall stone tower and walls remain as a ruin in a park open to the public.
The Shingle Style was developed in the 1880’s for resort cottages. These frequently incorporated field stone walls on the first story, as here. Before long, the style found its way into suburban houses as well but remains primarily associated with summer cottages. This example sits off the Main Street of the town behind the stone gateposts of the former summer estate.
Although many Shingle Style cottages were large, the essence of the style is captured in this simple cottage with its compact first floor capped with a voluminous gambrel roof that makes space for multiple bedrooms.
The development of the style is explored in Vincent Scully’s “The Shingle Style and the Stick Style: Architectural Theory and Design from Downing to the Origins of Wright.”
Shingle Style is one of 25 styles described and illustrated with hundreds of color photos 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 at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors including “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
“Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
#antiquehome #antiquehomes #traditionalarchitecture #historicalhomes #historicalhouse #historic #oldhome #oldhouse #preservation #preserveourhistory #houseandgarden #historicpreservation #homerestoration #houserestoration #ownapieceofhistory #vintagehome #architecturelover #restoringyourhistorichouse #yourhistorichome #restoration #houserehab #architecturalstyles #architecturalhistory #shinglestyle