4.1 Historic Architectural Styles

Background for the Educator: Burlington's architecture has changed quite a bit over time. The late 1800s and early 1900s were Burlington's period of greatest growth, hence the most common architectural styles you'll see in Burlington are Colonial Revival and Queen Anne, which were two of the most popular styles in the country. Interspersed, you will find some Italianates and Craftsman bungalows, and Second Empires. Most streets in Burlington are lined with these different styles of architecture. The styles reflect national and local cultural trends of each period, and the different demographics of people settled in Burlington.

In the King Street area and along Pearl Street, there are few Federal style buildings remaining (the earliest areas of Burlington settled).

In the North End, you will find more often more vernacular, smaller, simpler forms of these architectural styles.

In the South End, there are more high-style versions of these styles, reflecting the wealth of people in that area of Burlington.

Downtown, you will find a mixture of business block buildings from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s.

Emphasize to students that all buildings will have undergone some change over time and some buildings might have different features from different periods or have additions. Some buildings might fit one style, some might not fit any. Historic buildings, like their inhabitants, are different from each other and change over time.