Architecture: Federal

Federal Architecture began to develop just after the Revolution. It was the first architectural style that actually originated in the colonies which were by this time the United States. Thomas Jefferson contributed greatly to its development, being an accomplished architect. Much inspiration, such as the columns as well as many of the details, was drawn from the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose republics had been the inspiration for many of the principles on which the new country was founded. Americans liked to identify themselves with these ancient peoples, and one method of doing so was imitating their architecture. However, some inspration came from England as well, where the Adams brothers were already using many of the features used on Federal homes on new Georgian homes. Some distinguishing charictaristics include the Palladian window (large window flanked by two smaller ones, usually above the door), circular and elliptical windows, , oval rooms (like the oval office), arches, narrow windows on either side of the door, a half-circle fanight above the front door, shutters, symmetrical windows, a shallow roof, and carved swags. This style's main difference from Georgian Colonial is it's use of circles and arches.

This particular house has many Federal characteristics, but it is also missing some such as the Palladian window and windows by the door. This is because it was one of the earliest Federal structures and still strongly resembled a Georgian structure.