The Architecture of Colonial America

A concise history and analysis of colonial American architecture traces regional building traditions, materials, and stylistic development from the seventeenth to the eighteenth century. The narrative links architectural forms to social and economic conditions, comparing New England timber houses, Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic stone and brick dwellings, and the grand Southern manor houses and urban seaport residences. It examines craftsmen’s imported traditions, construction details, and characteristic features of domestic and public buildings, illustrated by photographs and plates, and offers critical commentary intended to inform appreciation and to guide contemporary builders and architects seeking inspiration from early American designs.