Virtual History:
The Southern Colonies

The Southern Colonies

Latin Influence

The southern colonies were heavily influenced by the ideals and style of France, Spain and Italy. Certainly southern architecture includes elelments of British design, but the inspiration of the southern plantation is decidedly latin. This was suitable in the milder southern climate, with its long, warm summers and temperate winters. Borrowing from the classic values of the Greeks and Romans, architects in Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas built homes with a more formal, distinctive european style.


Governor's Palace - Williamsburg, Virginia


Adam Style

In the southern colonies, the Adam style was widely used. It was named after Robert and James Adam who had used many ideas from the Greeks and Romans to make homes like the Georgian style, but with a more formal, classical style. The emphasis on symmetry is still there in the Federal style, but details like columns, capitals and pediments are much larger. The rooms are layed out similar to Georgian homes, but there are also round rooms and fancy wings added on.

Adam Symmetry
Dan's Hill, Virginia

Place your mouse over the image of Dan's Hill to view its symmetry.


Federal Style

As the United States became a nation, its citizens wanted an architectural style uniquely American. The adopted the Adam style and referred to it as the Federal style. In the south many fine examples of Federal architecture are done in brick and plaster rather than in wood. Brick helped keep southern homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Inside these classical-looking homes, garlands, swags and urns often decorated the walls.

Federal Symmetry
Ayr Mount, North Carolina

Can you see the symmetry in Ayr Mount? Hold your cursor over the image to help the line of symmetry appear.


Plantations

With the Federal style, Americans showed their awareness of the Greek and Roman traditions of architecture. Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns support huge pediments and porches. Arches, vaults and domes also were prominent in the Federal style. Notice how many classic Greek and Roman elements can be seen in this picture of the entranceway to the Grand Wisteria Plantation.

Plantation Symmetry Grand Wisteria Plantation

Dresdeham Plantation


Mount Vernon Plantation

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