The term "Colonial Revival" encompasses several different architectural styles (including Georgian Revival, Dutch Colonial, Spanish Colonial, and Tudor Revival) that were rooted in a renewed interest in early colonial American history. This nostalgia was first fueled by the 1876 celebration of America's centennial, and a growing interest in historic preservation. For some, the Colonial Revival was a reaction against the perceived excesses of ornate Victorian architecture. Plans for Colonial Revival houses could be mail ordered from Sears, Roebuck and other companies, and form the inspiration for post-World War II suburban house styles that are still being built today. Colonial Revival architecture combines elements from Georgian and Federal style buildings, but the architectural details are much larger in scale than the earlier prototypes. Characteristics include:

• Formal, symmetrical façades with rectangular shapes
• Central entry porches with classical columns
• Paneled front doors with decorative door crowns or pediments
• Use of fanlights and sidelights around doorways
• Decorative cornices and widely spaced windows emphasizing a horizontal orientation
• Use of red brick with light-colored trim

Click here to see photos of Colonial Revival buildings in Lancaster.