The gambrel roof had generally fallen out of favor in home construction in the early 1800's, and in the 1850's Calvert Vaux would offer a plan to turn the old-fashioned gambrel roof shape into a "modern" hipped roof with barge-boards (see Victorian Roof and Gable Shapes, bottom of page).
By the 1870's efforts were being made to bring the gambrel roof back into fashion, as part of the emerging Colonial Revival in architecture. Unlike the style's Colonial ancestors, the homes' exterior was ornamented with typical Victorian frills: bays, barge-boards, etc.
The Victorian and Edwardian version of the style did not seem to have become very popular; I do not think I have ever seen an example in person. I have seen examples in photographs: a home with a gambrel roof and turreted tower appears in Renee Kahn, “The Dutch Colonial Revival Style,” Old House Journal May 1982, p. 101 (no location of home given), and an L-shaped example with pendant roof ornament can be seen in M. F. Sweetser, Picturesque Maine, Portland, Maine, 1880, facing page 14, reprinted in Edmund V. Gillon, Jr. and Clay Lancaster, Victorian Houses: A Treasury of Lesser-Known Examples, Dover Publications, Inc., NY, 1973, Plate 57.
Around 1900 plainer, more "Colonial" examples began to abound . However, in 1912, house plans were still being sold for the homes with fussier details, alongside plans for the stripped Dutch Colonial Revival (see Dutch Colonial Revival Architecture in America). In the end, the lesser-adorned style would win the popularity contest, and remain fashionable until the middle of the 20th century.
Here are some Victorian and Edwardian examples from vintage house design books published in the United States:
An 1871 Example
Though you cannot tell it from the front elevation, the home was almost T-shaped, with a dining room, kitchen, and storage areas lined up in the back (a hall, sitting room, parlor, and bed room were in the front; the plan for the second floor was not included). Note the brackets, bay window, and window ornamentation -- all Victorian in detailing.
The above house design was published in Supplment to Bicknell's Village Builder, Containing Eighteen Modern Designs For Country and Suburban Houses of Moderate Cost, with Elevations, Plans, Sections. And A Vaieity of Details, All Drawn to Scale, Also A Full Set of Specifications, With Approved Form of Contract, And Estimates of Cost., A. J. Bicknell & Co., New York, 1871. The cost of the home was estimated to be $5,000 when completed with Water, Gas, and Furnace.
A 1912 Example
A bay window makes an appearance on this example, as well, and a circular window is in the attic. However, the porch is simplified in comparison to the 1871 example above; the porch would also be appropriate to a Foursquare home.
The above house design was published in Fred T. Hodgson, editor, Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of Two Hundred Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows, Frederick J. Drake & Company, Chicago, IL, 1912. Most of the homes in the book were estimated to cost between $700 and $3,000 when completed.
Another 1912 Example
An Edwardian miss (or Mrs.) strolls by the home above. Another circular window in the attic and a bay on the side of the home are featured. It looks like the front porch may be topped by a pergola (popular circa 1900 through the 1920's), but I am not sure.
The above house design was published in Fred T. Hodgson, editor, Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of Two Hundred Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows, Frederick J. Drake & Company, Chicago, IL, 1912. Most of the homes in the book were estimated to cost between $700 and $3,000 when completed.
Copyright © 2003 Sarah E. Mitchell