Our exploration of local architecture began with a reading of the book The Perfectly Orderly House by Ellen Kindt McKenzie. We took a short tour of interesting buildings close to the library taking care to notice the unique details of each one. Pictures and short descriptions of the buildings follow. On our return, students used what they had learned to construct a building of their own.

Can you identify these local buildings? Visit the library and try your hand at the guessing game on the bulletin board or browse the books on architecture in the Homeschool Resource Center. 

This house, built in 1816, represents the simple style of Colonial New England. The main part of the house is very symmetrical. 

This building, constructed of Pennsylvania Bluestone in 1825, originally served as the office of an abolitionist newspaper. The presses were turned by "Brownie" the horse on a treadmill in the basement.

This house was built in the 1870's in a style popular after the civil war. The mansard roof made the third floor available for rooms instead of the usual attic space.

This structure currently houses the Montrose Fire Department. It was originally built as a house in 1854 for William Jessup. The ornate style is called Italianate. Notice the tower and window treatments. There is another structure in Montrose built in the same style. Do you recognize it? 

 The bricks used to build the court house were manufactured just outside of town. It is built in the Classical Revival style. The arches, columns and clock dome are some of the interesting architectural elements of the court house.

The library is built in the Georgian style. The large arch-topped windows are known as palladian windows. Notice the balusters along the roof edge and keystone trim above the windows. This building, originally built as a library, is 100 years old this year.

From a variety of crayon rubbings, students chose a few different textures and colors to create their own paper buildings. 

Using scissors, glue and imagination, they cut windows, doors and walls of many styles. 

Some were even inspired to build in three dimensions. 

This is just one of the many successful projects being displayed by the pleased designer.