America 250 August | Twentieth Century Period Revival and Eclectic Styles

This series is part of our America 250 Across NC celebration where Preservation North Carolina shares our state’s contributions to American History through the varied stories of historic preservation.

Ever notice the dynamic diversity of architectural styles across our state? It’s not just due to their locations. Back in the early twentieth century, trade, transportation, and even improved photography allowed North Carolinians to travel to faraway places that inspired them to recreate architectural traditions from other eras and places. 

Increasingly, North Carolinians abandoned the vernacular traditions of our state, and looked to period styles of old New England, or eclectic designs inspired by the Spanish missions of the Southwest, or the bungalows of India, or the Tudor houses of England. In any given North Carolina community, one might see houses designed to mimic a New York Dutch Colonial, or a French Norman chateau, or a Welsh cottage.

Examples of Period Revival and Eclectic Styles can be found from Flat Rock and Blowing Rock to Beaufort and Southport. The houses reviewed this month in celebration of America 250 are all protected by Preservation North Carolina’s historic preservation covenants, but each reveal their part of the American story of architecture, design, and our place in history. Spend the month of August taking a dive into the different architectural styles and where you can find them throughout our state.

Click on the image to learn more about these architectural styles and see examples of them right here in NC!