In the early 1800’s Burlington saw a large transition from the architectural perspective. The area had been heavily dominated by the Federal Style since the late 1700’s and around the 1830’s Burlington was introduced to the Greek Revival Style.

A young architect by the name of Ammi Burnham Young came to Burlington in spring of 1830, his Greek Revival style works can be viewed around Burlington today. One example is the Timothy Follett House (1840) overlooking the lake from College street.

The most elaborate Greek Revival style buildings resemble temples - roof gables facing forward with monumental columned porticos across the front. Churches and courthouses have ornamented belfries or cupolas. Paneled doors often are flanked by full or three-quarter length sidelights and robust columns or pilasters, and topped by a transom or entablature.

Greek Revival Style

Young was well educated and knowledgeable of Asher Benjamin's guides, as well as the works of other architects. Note: the columns have a Eustyle spacing -Roman intercolumnation. This means that the space between the columns is 2-1/4 times the diameter of the column. Likewise the pediment and the roof pitch are of the appropriate proportions.

Follett House

Greek Revival style

Classical detailing: ColumnsPilastersheavily molded wooden entablatures and pediments

Follett House

Wide woodwork Top of stairs

Ornate woodwork around5 light flanking door

Eurostyle ColumnsPronounced pediment

High-style Greek Revival architecture in Vermont.

•The Follett house was a hot spot for Burlington socialites.

•In 1853 Follett was forced to sell the home and it changed hands several times after that.

•In 1892 it became a mission home for working women

•It was also Knights of Columbus hall and Veterans of Foreign Wars post

•In 1978 Pomerleau Agency purchased the property

•The building caught fire and eventually was restored by Pomerleau

Follett House

• UVM Historical society

• Grasse Mount - By Anne Jennings

• Plan of the Village of Burlington, Vermont“

• This was an amazing view into the future from this 1830 snapshot

• cscourt@vbimail.champlain.edu

• Windows to our Historic Architecture, 1996 season exhibit• Chimney Point State Historic Site, Vermont Division for Historic Preservation,

Addison, Vermont. • http://www.uvm.edu/~elothrop/champlain/69c.html• The Vermonter state magazine Volume 25, 1920

• Pictures for background slides:

– http://www.rushyoung.com/usa/vermont/burlington/burlington4.html

– http://www.linkvermont.com/PHOTO_GALLERIES_ONLINE/Burlington_Gallery_Online/

Resources