PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (2024)

History

For many, the Queen Anne style typifies the architecture of the Victorian age. With its distinctive form, abundance of decorative detail, corner tower, expansive porches and richly patterned wall surfaces, the Queen Anne style is easy to identify. High style Queen Anne buildings are often considered local landmarks, ornate and showy attention getters. This style is present in communities across the country in numerous variations of form and detail. It was the most popular style for houses in the period from 1880 to 1900, but is often employed for large scale public buildings as well.

The style was first created and promoted by Richard Norman Shaw and other English architects in the late 19th century. The name refers to the Renaissance style architecture popular during the reign of England's Queen Anne (1702-1714). Actually, the Queen Anne style is more closely related to the medieval forms of the preceding Elizabethan and Jacobean eras in England. The style became popular in the United States through the use of pattern books and the publishing of the first architectural magazine "The American Architect and Building News."

The Queen Anne style evolved from those early English designs to become a distinctly American style with numerous, sometimes regional variations. The use of three dimensional wood trim called spindlework was an American innovation made possible by the technological advances in the mass production of wood trim and the ease of improved railroad transport. While the Queen Anne style can take a variety of forms, certain key elements are commonly found. Queen Anne buildings almost always have a steep roof with cross gables or large dormers, an asymmetrical front façade, and an expansive porch with decorative wood trim. A round or polygonal front corner tower with a conical roof is a distinctive Queen Anne feature on many buildings of this style. Wall surfaces are usually highly decorative with variety of textures from shingles to half timbering, to panels of pebbles or bas relief friezes.

Common Building Types

  • houses
  • churches
  • schools
  • offices

Identifiable Features

  1. Abundance of decorative elements
  2. Steeply pitched roof with irregular shape
  3. Cross gables
  4. Asymmetrical facade
  5. Large partial or full width porch
  6. Round or polygonal corner tower
  7. Decorative spindlework on porches and gable trim
  8. Projecting bay windows
  9. Patterned masonry or textured wall surfaces including half timbering
  10. Columns or turned post porch supports
  11. Patterned shingles
  12. Single pane windows, some with small decorative panes or stained glass

Photos

Click the thumbnails for larger images.

PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (1)

PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (2)

PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (3)

PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (4)

Note

This is a static, archived version of the PHMC Pennsylvania Architectural Field Guide website which will not be updated. It is a snapshot of the website with minor modifications as it appeared on August 26, 2015.

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PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910 (2024)

FAQs

PHMC Queen Anne Style 1880 - 1910? ›

The Queen Anne style, popular in American from 1880 to 1910, evolved out of the Colonial Revival style; the two styles were fashionable at the same time. The Queen Anne style was imported by English architects who were inspired by the half-timbered walls and patterned masonry of Medieval and Jacobean style-buildings.

What was the style of the Queen Anne's house? ›

'The characteristics of Queen Anne architecture are stone dressings such as quoins, exposed brick, hipped roofs, dormer windows, sash windows, platbands and cornices,' says architectural historian and paint expert Edward Bulmer.

Why was Queen Anne style so popular? ›

Actually, the Queen Anne style is more closely related to the medieval forms of the preceding Elizabethan and Jacobean eras in England. The style became popular in the United States through the use of pattern books and the publishing of the first architectural magazine "The American Architect and Building News."

What is Queen Anne style in art? ›

In the United States, "Queen Anne" is used to describe a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" (non-Gothic Revival architecture) details and as an alternative both to the French-derived Second Empire and the less "domestic" Beaux-Arts architecture, is broadly applied to architecture, furniture, ...

What architectural style was popular in the 1910s? ›

In the 1910s, the previously prevalent Art Nouveau style was replaced by a new architectural style known as National Romanticism.

What is the difference between Queen Anne and Georgian style? ›

Georgian period houses are often referred to as the Queen Anne style. These homes are larger and broader than in earlier periods, such as the English Regency, Italian Renaissance and French Empire. They typically have symmetrical front doors, windows and fireplaces.

Is Queen Anne style gothic? ›

Queen Anne Style Houses. The Queen Anne style house represents a picture of English style and history bearing characteristics of the Gothic Revival, English Renaissance, English Baroque, Tudor (Elizabethan), Georgian, and the Stick style.

What era is Queen Anne style furniture? ›

Furniture made in the Queen Anne style was originally produced in the 1720s to about 1750 (the eponymous Queen Anne died in 1714). The style traveled to the United States, where it continued in production until 1800, falling within the Colonial furniture period.

What time period is Queen Anne style? ›

The Queen Anne style, popular in American from 1880 to 1910, evolved out of the Colonial Revival style; the two styles were fashionable at the same time. The Queen Anne style was imported by English architects who were inspired by the half-timbered walls and patterned masonry of Medieval and Jacobean style-buildings.

Who popularized Queen Anne style? ›

Overview. The peak period for Queen Anne-style architecture was 1880 to 1900, although the style persisted until around 1910. The style was named and popularized in England by the architect Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912) and his followers.

Why is it called Queen Anne style? ›

Popularized by English architect Richard Norman Shaw in the 1860s to 1870s, the style was oddly named, having nothing to do with the 18th Century reign of Queen Anne. The British middle class loved the Queen Anne style for its fanciful gaiety that flew in the face of rigid classicism and somber Gothic restraints.

How to decorate a Queen Anne style house? ›

Textiles are also key, from velvet upholstery to oriental carpets, and bric-a-brac is indeed an element of this style: china figurines, portraits, and miniatures are displayed on walls, occasional tables, and the ubiquitous carved mantelpieces.

What is the difference between Chippendale and Queen Anne? ›

In general, Chippendale furniture is a more ornate version of Queen Anne furniture. Whereas the Queen Anne style often features padded feet, the Chippendale style often features ball-and-claw feet.

What is the difference between Victorian and Queen Anne architecture? ›

Victorian Folk Homes

The Italianate and Second Empire homes bear similarities to the Queen Anne, but they have flat roof lines instead of high-pitched gable roofs.

What design era is 1910? ›

Some of our favorite pieces can be traced back to the Art Deco period. During this time, designs were abstract and geometric shapes were popular. This took hold after WW1 and ended at the beginning of WW2.

What style is my 1910 home? ›

Dutch Colonial Revival emerged as an architectural style in the United States in the early 1900s and structures in this style in Los Angeles generally date from the 1910s to the 1930s.

What were general characteristics of the Queen Anne style of furniture? ›

Queen Anne furniture is "somewhat smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than its predecessors," and examples in common use include "curving shapes, the cabriole leg, cushioned seats, wing-back chairs, and practical secretary desk-bookcase pieces." Other elements characterizing the style include pad feet and "an ...

What are the interior features of Queen Anne? ›

Taking a cue from the exterior architecture, Queen Anne interiors often feature crown moldings, plaster cornices, and beveled glass mirrors. Staircases are bordered with turned balusters to match the railings on the porch.

What are the characteristics of the Queen Anne interior? ›

Queen Anne homes are identifiable for their eclectic style, marked by wide wraparound porches, decorative wood trim, elaborate rooflines, asymmetrical lines, and bold patterns and colors. With its roots in Britain during the 18th century, the American Queen Anne style spread via magazine features and pattern books.

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