Middleburgh Elementary Library Information Center Middleburgh Elementary Library Information Center 
This web page is a detailed outline of the project, including ideas for replication.
We are unable to update any of these pages as they were lost on a server move. The links on this page were valid as of 3/06 and are no longer being checked.
About the Project |
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*All Styles & Compare
Architectural Legacy - by Designer Doors (selling Garage doors) - Colonial, Victorian, romantic, Eclectic
Comparison of American Architectural Styles 1790-1960 by Chuck LaChiusa
Victoria Station: Architecture by a company interested in Interior design and restoration of Victorian era homes.
· Dutch Barn
Farrell, Helene S. "The Palatines." Stone Fort Days: Fourth Annual. October 4 & 5, 1986: 64-69.
Hagan, E.A. "Vanishing Dutch Barns." Schoharie County Historical Review. Spring-Summer 1985: 2.
Dutch Barn Preservation Society - includes picture
** Dutch Colonial
Colonial Revival in Buffalo, NY - by Chuck Lachiusa - Use Table of Contents, or arrow down to Dutch Colonial Revival
Hoffman House - includes picture
Dutch Colonial - by relator.org - links to many other styles as well
**Federal
Federal Style Architecture in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa.
FEDERAL (c.1790-c.1830) - includes picture. by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer County Federal Style1780-1830 Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
**First Period
Noyes, Marion, ed. A History of Schoharie County. U.S.A.: The Richmondville Phoenix, 1964. Chapter XII.
Van Voris, A.H. "The Schoharie County Highlands." Schoharie County Historical Review. Spring-Summer 1960: 7-10
First Period c. 1626 - c. 1725 - includes drawing with labels. By Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts, the city guide.
The Salt Box A type of First period house. A WebQuest Project of the Little Egg Harbor School District
Housing Styles: Saltbox 1650-1830 by Old House Web, a profitable, privately-owned company, Ken Holmes founder.
**Georgian Colonial
(Georgian Style until the Revolutionary War)
Georgian Revival in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa Click on link in Table of Contents - Georgian Style 1714-1776 (England, U.S.)
Georgian Colonial c. 1725 - c. 1775 - includes drawing with labels. By Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts, the city guide.
**Georgian Revival (Palladian)
Georgian Revival in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa
Georgian Revival 1895 - 1930 - includes drawing with labels. By Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts, the city guide.
** Gothic Revival (Carpenter's Gothic)
Gothic Revival in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa
American Architecture: Gothic Revival 1830-1875 - includes picture, history and description. Created by Sandra Pollock at Real Site Design
GOTHIC REVIVAL (c.1825-c.1870) - includes picture -by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Victorian Houses: Gothic Revival - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Gothic Revival. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer Gothic Revival Style 1840's - 1880's.......Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
**Greek Revival
Greek Revival Style in Buffalo, New York by Chuck LaChiusa
GREEK REVIVAL (c.1830-c.1875) - includes picture - by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer County Greek Revival Style 1820's to 1850's Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
Bliss, Hon. F. Walter. "The Beekman House Middleburgh." Schoharie County Historical Review. Fall-Winter, 1966: 12-14.
**High Victorian Gothic
High Victorian Gothic- pictures of churches and other public buildings
A Description of Gothic Architecture - labelled church parts and definitions in a very large detailed drawing. Links at bottom of page to photo illustrations. By Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.
High Victorian Gothic (1850-1880) by Nashville Public Television. Glossary of terms for church architecture
**Italianate
Italianate in Buffalo by Chuck LaChiusa
ITALIANATE (c.1850-c.1890) - includes picture - by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Victorian Houses: Italianate - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Italianate. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer County Italianate Style1840s and 1885s Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
** Octagon
Rich-Twinn Octagon House . By Chuck LaChiusa.
Farrell, Helene S. "The Octagon House at Fultonham." Schoharie County Historical Review. Fall-Winter 1983: 3-5.
· One-Room School-House
Pollard, Beatrice Parsons. "The Tale of a Country School Marm." Schoharie County Historical Review. Spring-Summer 1991: 2-3.
Reightmyer, Lynn M. "The Old School District." Schoharie County Historical Review. Spring-Summer 1961: 10.
Octagon House Plans 1848 by Historical Works.com
Octagon houses in New York (the home page link brings you to other octagon homes in many states. by rvklinehistoricalworks.com/
Octagon House: 1850-1860 by Old House Web
Victorian Houses: Exotic - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Octagon. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
· Prefab
** Queen Anne/Neo-Jacobean
Queen Anne Style in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa
Victorian Houses: Queen Anne - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Queen Anne. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
QUEEN ANNE (c.1885-c.1905) - includes picture - by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer County: Queen Anne Style 1880s and 1890s Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
Renaissance Revival Style
Renaissance Revival Style by Chuck LaChiusa
Romanesque Revival
Romanesque Revival in Buffalo by Chuck LaChiusa
** Second Empire/Mansard Roof
Second Empire Style by Chuck LaChiusa
Victorian Houses: Second Empire - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Second Empire. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
FRENCH SECOND EMPIRE (c.1865-c.1885) - includes picture - by Vermont Heritage Network Historical Architecture
Architectural Styles in Rensselaer County: Second Empire Style1860s to 1880s - Includes description, photos and drawings of details. © 1998 Rensselaer County Historical Society
**Shingle
Shingle Style in Buffalo, New York by Chuck LaChiusa
Victorian Houses: Shingle Style - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Shingle Style. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
** Stick
Stick Style in Buffalo, NY by Chuck LaChiusa
Victorian Houses: Stick - includes picture and description. Arrow through till you find the Stick. Copyright 1998 by David Taylor.
Vocabulary and drawing help:
Illustrated Architecture Dictionary
Funding for this unit was received from the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center [518-479-4083]. This unit was in the planning stage in January and continued through May 1999. Fourth grade students in Middleburgh Elementary School used it for information while they learned about the history of architecture in our area. They went on a field trip with Dr. McHale to observe and discuss styles in Schoharie and Schenectady counties. They listened to an architect, Larry Wilson, describe styles and show slides. In art they draw elements of architecture and in social studies they learned about building resources, the different styles, and the purposes of the details. They researched styles and elements in the library. Permission slips were sent home to use their drawings and research.
During the school year 2000 - 2001 the unit changed. Briefly, students built a house from a large cardboard box. They worked first in the classroom, then in the library to research the details of the style of house they selected after being introduced to architectural home styles. As they researched, they filled in one sheet per detail, with the source listed and room for drawing as well as notes. The styles we researched have a ** in front of the name.
Day 1 - Students have been studying Colonial America. We listed the most common resource for building homes in our area during Colonial times - trees. I then displayed pictures of homes and castles in England so students could compare the different resources used there. Most were built from stone.
Day 2 - With the use of the overhead projector I introduced students to the Federal, Gothic Revival, and Italianate styles of architecture. The students were able to view a sketch of each house along with a variety of details. The class discussed different details of each style. They compared and contrasted.
Day 3 - Same as day 2 - but introduced Stick, Shingle, and Second Empire Mansard styles of architecture.
Day 4 - In the computer room, students visited a website, Best House, that focused on the Italianate style and, using a prepared worksheet, answered questions regarding this style. For comparison, students also used a worksheet used on Day 2 that enabled them to compare sketches with the photographs on the website. (See the worksheets at the end of these Social Studies Lesson Plans)
Day 5 - Field trip to the Stockade Area of Schenectady. An actual stockade once surrounded this area. It is so unique because in its 300-year history, sections have burned and been rebuilt. The rebuilt areas were, of course, built in the style of the time. Thus the Stockade reflects styles of the past 300 years. Our tour guide, Dr. Ellen McHale, took us on a walking field trip of this area. Students listened, asked questions and filled out a scavenger hunt form during the walk. Next we went to the Shaker Museum to expose the children to a very simple type of architecture. The bus left us off several blocks from school so we could see the same types of architecture in town. Photographs of homes in the Stockade Area and Middleburgh are found on this website.
Day 6 - 9 - Students did a small research project on a wide variety of architecture.Stick, Shingle, Second Empire Mansard, Italianate, Federal, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Dutch Colonial, Dutch Barns, One Room Schoolhouse, Queen Anne, modern, prefab, Palladian/Georgian, Early Settler, Octagon. Students chose a style of home and worked with a partner filling out an information sheet. The final project, however, was in each student's own words.
Day 10 & 11 - Students typed reports.
Day 12 - Students created a Bulletin Board displaying their reports and attaching a string that led to the picture of the style of architecture.
WORKSHEET #1
1. Click on Architecture of the Best House.
2. Read and look at the pictures.
3. This is an example of an Italianate style house. Compare the different details with your worksheet. Label the details on your worksheet.
4. In 1906, they changed the porch. What different style did the porch represent?
5. List 6 ways to tell that this is the Italianate style.
6. Click on suggested web sites to see more examples of Victorian Italianate houses. Look at the pictures and compare them. What do they have in common?
WORKSHEET #2 (in a chart format)
Style | Years it was popular | Details about this architecture | Where did this style come from
Scavenger Field Trip with Dr. Ellen McHale
--Dr. Ellen McHale is currently Executive Director of the New York Folklore Society . She is available to help schools incorporate folklore into the curriculum. Ellen McHale, Ph.D., is a folklorist who has worked in the fields of folkarts and museum administration since 1981. A native New Yorker, she has consulted throughout upstate New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and for the Smithsonian Institution in the areas of folk arts documentation and programming. A Fulbright Lecturer to the Institute for Folklife Studies of the University of Stockholm, Sweden, she holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania.
--As students travelled through Middleburgh and Schenectady they learned about various styles of architecture. They also picked out elements of these styles. They looked for examples of early Dutch Colonial architecture, Federal or Georgian, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Gothic, and Italianate housing styles in the two communities and discussed the idea of pattern book style vs. vernacular building (Schoharie County). We also looked at vernacular variations of Greek Revival buildings in Middleburgh. After the Stockade they went to the Shaker Heritage Society in Colonie (near the airport) where the kids heard about the Shakers, the idea of the functional nature of architecture , and the Shaker's use of innovation and simplicity.
--The following questions were used as a Scavenger Hunt to make them better observers:
1. Find colored markers on some of the houses. What could this be for?
2. Write the street address of a house with "dentils".
3. Find a house with a "dutch door".
4. Name one building with Greek Revival columns.
5. Find an Italianate building. give one example of a building element which tells you that it is Italianate.
6. Find a Queen Anne building. Give one example of a building element which tells you that it is Queen Anne.
Lesson: Architectural Pieces
Level: 4th Grade
Time: Four classes (40 minutes each)
INTRODUCTION:
The students have been studying architecture in conjunction with local history. They have gone on a scavenger hunt to find architectural elements, and have gone on a guided to tour to learn about the history of architecture in their community. The students have been introduced to key architectural terms in art class, and have discussed the aspects of architecture as a career. Larry Wilson, an architect, has come to speak to the 4th graders. He discussed important elements of architecture with the students, as well as showing slides of different types of dwellings, buildings, and bridges. These slides ranged from Japanese pagodas to Frank Lloyd Wright's "Kaufmann House" in Bear Run Pennsylvania. Now that the students have had a broad overview of architecture, they will narrow in on one element that interests them.
OBJECTIVES:
The students will…
Practice their drawing skills by enlarging and reproducing an architectural element, focusing on details.
Work in a medium that will allow for high contrast.
Strengthen their knowledge of architectural elements and their purposes, reinforcing what they have learned in Social Studies
Practice mounting their artwork to produce a cleaner, more polished visual image.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The students will be reproducing an architectural element from one of the five building styles they have learned about in Social Studies. They may choose from Federal, Stick, Second Empire, Shingle, or Italainate. Using sheets with the elements as reference, the students will use pencil to draw the element of their choice. Because the pieces reproduced on the handout are about 1" tall, the students will be enlarging the elements to fill a paper 9x12" in size. Working on Grey tone paper, the students will first draw the element in pencil, trying to accurately draw what it is that they are seeing. Once they have completed this, the students will use white plastic marker to trace over their lines. This medium was chosen because the plastic markers can be sharpened to a fine tip for clean lines, and because they are also erasable. From this point, the students will fill in areas of the element with the white to create areas of high contrast of gray against white.
DAY ONE:
MOTOVATIONAL ACTIVITY:
Sitting in a large group, ask the students what they have been talking about in their Social Studies class. Discuss style of houses they have been looking at, importance of these styles, and their preferences so far. Review the importance of architectural drawings. Focus on terms such as detail and accuracy when drawing or recreating architecture and elements. Tell the students that they are going to be focusing in on one architectural element that they have seen and are interested in recreating. Show the students the model that the teacher has made, and the source that the drawing has come from. The students will recognize the worksheets from their Social Studies class. Discuss size and scale with the class, letting them know that they will be enlarging these elements to fill a 9x12" paper.
Using the teacher's example, talk to the class about the contrast that is created when you work with dark colored paper, and light colored drawing tools. Explain that the students will strive to create a strong contrast, making the element stand out on the paper. Remind the students that when they are drawing, their focus is recreating what they SEE, not just drawing what they think is there. (Ex. How many panes of glass does that bay window have?) Ask the class to return to their seats, and wait for the next direction.
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY:
A. Call up one table at a time, and ask them to choose the element that they would like to work with. Give each person a gray tone paper. Ask them to bring it back to their desk, and wait for directions.
B. Once all students are back in their seats, have them write their name on the back of the paper, and the name of the architectural element they have chosen to work with.
C. Pass out rulers. Let the class know that they will sketch the image first in pencil. Once the drawing has been discussed with the teacher and peers, the student will be able to move on to the next step.
D. Go around, checking that the students are off to a good start. Make sure the drawings fill the paper well, and that they critically check the drawing, holding it at an arm's length.
E. At the end of class, collect the papers, and ask volunteers to collect the style worksheets.
DAY TWO:
INSTUCTIONAL ACTIVITY:
A. Review the project with the class through questioning. What is it we are working on? What are some important things to remember when drawing?
B. Have volunteers pass back papers. Students will continue to draw the element in pencil.
C. Once complete, discuss drawing with student. Has it filled the paper well? Is it an accurate drawing of the element?
D. If the drawing is large and complete, the student may begin outlining it with white charcoal. Make sure all lines are gone over with white.
E. Ask volunteers to collect rulers and papers.
DAY THREE:
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY:
A. Review and discuss the next step. Where have we been? What happens next? Hang up elements, and critique progress.
B. Once the images have been outlined with white charcoal, the students will choose area of the element to fill in with the charcoal.
a. The areas chosen should create a strong contrast against the gray paper.
b. Discuss with the class ways to vary the thickness of the charcoal lines to create more contrast. (Ex. Thin lines do not stand out/ create much contrast.)
C. The class will begin creating contrast, once the element has been outlined. They will work slowly, checking their progress every couple of minutes.
D. Collect papers and rulers.
FINAL DAY:
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY:
A. Quickly review with class, and remind them that this will be the final working day for this project.
B. Show a couple of successful drawings that demonstrate strong contrast, and accurate lines.
C. The students will spend this class time finishing their pieces. After finishing, any areas that do not show strong contrast should be gone over again, time permitting.
D. Clean up.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
A. At the beginning of the next class, it may be a good idea to "test" the students by hanging some of these hand drawn elements up, and asking students if they recognize them. This will assess how well the students have learned the different elements they have discussed in class, and how successful the students' drawings are.
B. This lesson fulfills National Art Education Standards #1, 4, 5, and 6.
Students spent 5 days in the library. They were in partner groups - each researching one of the styles listed in the Magazine Articles and sections in books specifically about Styles of Architecture in Schoharie County.
Name _______________________________ Sources
Style ___________________________________
Description of it - _________________________________________________
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Details and description of each -
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Source
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Where did this style come from?______________________________________
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Time period of this style in our country / Schoharie County
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How did this style fit the time period and/or life syle of the people - Why did
they choose this style of architecture?
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2 - _____________________________________________________________
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3 - _____________________________________________________________
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Alper, Joe. The Nineteenth-century Architecture of Saratoga Springs. New York City: New York State Council on the Arts, 1970.
Bennett, Allison P. The People's Choice: A History of Albany County in Art and Architecture. Albany: The Albany County Historical Association, 1980.
Bicknell, A.J. Victorian Village Builder. Watkins Glen: The American Life Foundation & Study Institute, 1976.
Blumenson, John J.-G. Identifying American Architecture. Nashville: American Association for State and Local History, 1977.
Burch, Ron. Of Beams and Brackets. Fonda: Preserve It Now, 1981.
Cobblestone Magazine. American Architecture. Peterborough: ED Press, Vol. 9, No. 8, August 1988.
Cummings, Abbott Lowell. Architecture in Early New England. Sturbridge: Old Sturbridge Inc., 1958.
Devlin, Harry. To Grandfather's House We Go. New York: Parents' Magazine Press.
Dunn, Shirley W. and Bennett, Allison P. Dutch Architecture Near Albany: The Polgreen Photographs. Fleischmanns: Purple Mountain Press, 1996.
Fowler, Orson S. The Octagon House. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1973
Hoag, Edwin. American Houses: Colonial, Classic, and Contemporary. Philadelphia and New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1964.
Hiller, Carl E. From Tepees to Towers. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1967.
Huxtable, Ada Louise. Classic New York. Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1964.
Korab, Balthazar. Archabet. Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1985.
Loth, Calder and Sadler, Jr., Julius Trousdale. The Only Proper Style: Gothic Architecture in America. Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1975.
Maddex, Diane. Built In The U.S.A.; American Buildings From Airports to Zoos. Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1985.
Maass, John. The Gingerbread Age. New York: Bramhall House, 1957.
McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1991.
McNulty, George F. Essex: the Architecture Heritage. George F. McNulty and Mrs. Joseph Scheinin, 1971.
Munro, Roxie. Architects Make ZigzagsL Looking at Architecture from A to Z. Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1986.
Moore, Lamont. The First Book of Architecture. New York: Franklin Watts, Inc., 1961.
Nechwort, Judith Dailey. A Teacher's Guide to Historic Preservation. Norwich: Chenango County Department of Planning and Development, 1986.
Piwonka, Ruth and Blackburn, Roderic H. A Visible Heritage, Columbia County, New York. Kinderhook: The Columbia Historical Society, 1977.
Rawson, Richard. Old Barn Plans. New York: Mayflower Books Inc., 1979.
Robinson, E.F. and Robinson, T.P. Houses in America. New York: The Viking Press, 1936.
Robinson, Ethel Fay and Robinson, Thomas P. Houses in America. New York: The Viking Press, Inc., 1936.
Roth, Leland M. A concise History of American Architecture. New York: Harper & row, Publishers, Inc., 1979.
Scully, Vincent. The Shingle Style Today. New York: George Braziller, Inc., 1974.
Sherwood, B., Ed. On the Mountain, In the Valley. Hobart: The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Inc., 1977.
Sloane, Eric. The Little Red Schoolhouse. Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1972.
The Visual Dictionary of Buildings. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc., 1992.
Ventura, Piero. Houses. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.
Watkins, A.M. The Complete Guide to Factory-Made Houses. Piermont: The Building Institute, 1983.
Winters, Nathan B. Architecture is Elementary. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith, 1986.
Wood, Tim. Houses & Homes. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1997
Ziegler, Philip C. Storehouses of Time. Historic Barns of the Northeast. Camden: Down East Books, 1985.
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Page created by 3-99, revised 3/06.*The Architectural Styles Index has been very helpful with this latest update. This Project was created, in part under a grant provided by the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center."Mrs. Friedland, Elementary Librarian and Mrs. Indelicato, Fourth Grade Teacher. Other teachers involved in the grant include Mr. Burton, Web guru for all the other web pages on this grant and Mrs.York, Art teacher, now employed by Schenectady City Schools.