Colonial Revival Maine FROM THE PUBLISHER
Beginning with McKim, Mead, Bigelow, and White's famous sketching trip of 1877, architects have traditionally recorded the historic architecture of northern New England and incorporated its imagery into their own designs. Colonial Revival Maine provides an insightful account of how this interest in the classical influences of colonial- and federal-era buildings engaged the imagination of a group of architects and their draftsmen in the late nineteenth century. Together, these designers created the charming streetscapes and bucolic retreats that today dot the Maine coast. The "summer cottages" built for a wealthy Boston elite in York, the Kennebunks, North Haven, Sorrento, and other resort communities form the focus of this lavishly produced book. Generously illustrated with period drawings and archival images as well as newly commissioned photographs, Colonial Revival Maine creates a rich portrait of one of America's favorite architectural styles in what is still today one of its most glorious destinations.
SYNOPSIS
Neoclassical architecture helps define the identity of Maine, especially its seaside cottages (e.g. those at Kennebunkport), yet their architects remain under-appreciated according to Murphy (art history, Graduate Center-City U. of New York; Brooklyn College). To remedy this situation, the author profiles major late 19th century Boston architectural firms who incorporated historic northern New England styles into their designs. Lastly, he traces the impact of the depicted projects on the modern preservation movement. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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