Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic: Looking at Buildings and Landscapes

by Gabrielle M. Lanier, Bernard L. Herman

Overview

This richly illustrated volume explores the character of pre-1940 domestic and agricultural buildings in the towns and rural landscapes of southern New Jersey, Delaware, and coastal Maryland and Virginia.

Winner of the Fred Kniffen Prize from the Pioneer America Society

From the eighteenth-century single-room "mansions" of Delaware's Cypress Swamp district to the early twentieth-century suburban housing around Philadelphia and Wilmington, the architectural landscape of the mid-Atlantic region is both rich and varied. In this pioneering field guide to the region's historic vernacular architecture, Gabrielle Lanier and Bernard Herman describe the remarkably diverse building traditions that have overlapped and influenced one another for generations.

With more than 300 illustrations and photographs, Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic explores the character of pre-1940 domestic and agricultural buildings in the towns and rural landscapes of southern New Jersey, Delaware, and coastal Maryland and Virginia. Approaching their subject "archaeologically," the authors examine the "layers" of a structure's past to show how it has changed over time and to reveal telling details about its occupants and the community in which they lived. The book provides architectural information as well as a working methodology for anyone wanting to explore and learn from traditional architecture and landscapes.

The authors conclude that, as a vital cultural artifact, the distinctive architecture of the mid-Atlantic needs to be identified, recorded, and preserved. Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic gives proof to the insights architecture offers into who we are culturally as a community, a region, and a nation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801853258
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	07/15/1997
Series:	Creating the North American Landscape
Edition description:	20
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.50(h) x 1.03(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gabrielle M. Lanier is an associate professor of history at James Madison University and coauthor, with Bernard L. Herman, of Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic, also available from Johns Hopkins.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. House Forms and House Lots
Chapter 3. Construction: Underpinnings, Walling, and Roofing
Chapter 4. Popular Architectural Styles
Chapter 5. Farm Outbuildings and Plans
Chapter 6. Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Architecture
Chapter 7. Landscape Ensembles: The Example of Port Penn, Delaware
Chapter 8. Recording Historic Buildings
Appendix: Directory of Resources
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

It won't fit in your glove compartment, but Everyday Architecture in the Mid-Atlanticis a book you ought to have along as you drive . . . It's a serious book but it is aimed at nonprofessionals who enjoy historic buildings and landscapes.
—Potomac Review

A first-rate book . . . Profusely illustrated with an excellent selection of drawings and photographs . . . It will be of great use to everyone interested in our built environment.
—Maryland Historical Magazine

Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic departs from well-traveled roads to explore the less-celebrated architecture of New Jersey, Deleware, and coastal Maryland and Virginia. The authors use more than 300 illustrations to show readers how to date buildings such as suburban houses that have been through many redesigns and expansions.
—Richmond Times-Dispatch

Finally, a guidebook of historic architecture that treats whole country, not a particular state, but a natural geographical division—a region.
—M. Ruth Little , Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians

This book is important new scholarship for those interested in material culture and vernacular architecture.
—Judith K. Major, American Historical Review

From the Publisher

This book is important new scholarship for those interested in material culture and vernacular architecture.

— Judith K. Major

American Historical Review

Finally, a guidebook of historic architecture that treats whole country, not a particular state, but a natural geographical division—a region.

— M. Ruth Little

Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians

This book is important new scholarship for those interested in material culture and vernacular architecture.

American Historical Review - Judith K. Major

A first-rate book . . . Profusely illustrated with an excellent selection of drawings and photographs . . . It will be of great use to everyone interested in our built environment.

Maryland Historical Magazine

Finally, a guidebook of historic architecture that treats whole country, not a particular state, but a natural geographical division—a region.

Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians - M. Ruth Little

It won't fit in your glove compartment, but Everyday Architecture in the Mid-Atlanticis a book you ought to have along as you drive . . . It's a serious book but it is aimed at nonprofessionals who enjoy historic buildings and landscapes.

Potomac Review

Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic departs from well-traveled roads to explore the less-celebrated architecture of New Jersey, Deleware, and coastal Maryland and Virginia. The authors use more than 300 illustrations to show readers how to date buildings such as suburban houses that have been through many redesigns and expansions.

Richmond Times-Dispatch