The best way to learn about historic houses is to look at them closely, and the most fun way to look at them closely is to do a puzzle showing a wonderful historic house! So, we made a unique and interesting collection of Historic House Puzzles for you to enjoy!
Federal style is the name given to American architecture reflecting the style developed by the brothers Adam in Great Britain near the end of the 18th century. This corresponded with the adoption of the US Constitution and the “Federal Period” of government in the United States. The name comes from that American political development although the elements of the style come directly from the UK.
On this c. 1810 example in Parsonsfield, Maine, the fanlight arch over the front door and sidelights with fine tracery designs and the three-part Palladian window above are character-defining elements of the style, as are the shallow eaves and narrow corner boards. The barn is late 19th century, and the Colonial Revival side porch was likely added in the early 20th century.
Understanding the style of a house will help you know which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation. The Federal style is one of 25 historic architectural styles described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Click on the dashed box at the top-right in the puzzle box below to open the puzzle to full screen. In the top left, you can change the number of pieces (100 pieces is the default), toggle piece rotation, and change the background color. Then hit “OK” and have fun!