Federal Style


Federal style is a type of architecture that became popular in the United States from 1785 to 1815. The style incorporates several details from ancient Roman and Greek architecture, featuring very smooth and plain surfaces devoid of extraordinary details. One common symbol used on buildings with this design is the bald eagle, adopted from the Roman eagle. This type of architecture is commonly found in New England: In Massachusetts, one can walk down the streets of Boston and Salem and glimpse a multitude of buildings with Federal-style features. In particular, churches and government buildings frequently use this kind of design. Brick is a common building material, and the windows are evenly placed on the front of the home, and it is common for an overhang to be built over the front door.