Nova Scotia Archives

Built Heritage Resource Guide

What style is that house?

Nova Scotia has many diverse architectural styles, spanning the province's four centuries of built heritage. These styles include:

  • French Colonial, 1604-1790
  • Dutch or Georgian Colonial, 1700-1830
  • Palladian Architecture in Canada, 1749-1830
  • Picturesque, 1790-1840
  • Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1820-1860 (includes Classical, Roman and Greek Revival)
  • Scottish, English, German or Irish Vernacular, 1830-1880
  • Gothic Revival, 1840-1890
  • Italianate/Italian Villa style, 1840-1885
  • Second Empire, 1860-1890
  • Queen Anne Revival or High Victorian Eclectic, Shingle Style, 1880-1905
  • The Four Square, 1895-1930
  • Craftsman and Bungalow, 1910-1940
  • Tudor Revival, 1915-1940

Most of the province's heritage structures, especially private residences, were not architecturally designed, but were instead built by knowledgeable carpenters. Consequently, while most have characteristics of a particular style they will not necessarily be 'pure' examples, due to many vernacular influences. Some may even be transitional buildings, with the characteristic style of the time predominating, but overlaid with first touches of the next architectural trend or with vestigial reminders of an earlier style.

Nearly fifty photographs are featured below, presenting typical examples for each of the predominant architectural styles found in Nova Scotia homes. The broad characteristics of each style are identified in the Note Area accompanying the image.


"A Habitant's Home"

Date: 1777

Artist: J.F.W. DesBarres

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Nova Scotia: 1777

Topic: What style is that house? / French Colonial


"Banks House, at Annapolis Royal... Said to be the Oldest Habitable House in Canada."

Date: 1958

Photographer: E.G.L. Wetmore

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Annapolis Royal: Houses: Banks House

Topic: What style is that house? / French Colonial


"The Manor House or Willow Park, Bedford, NS"

Date: ca.1896

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Bedford: Houses: Ternan Property, # 7

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


"Jas. Farquarson's Farmhouse"

Date: 1897

Reference: W.L. BishopNova Scotia Archives accession no. 1983-240 no. 122

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


"Wood Hall Farm, T.D. McGill, Proprietor, Middle Celyde [Clyde], Shelburne County, NS"

Date: ca. 1900

Reference: Thorpe familyNova Scotia Archives accession no. 1986-466 no. 69

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


Harlow's Hotel or Central House, Shelburne, NS

Reference: Frederick McQuahaeNova Scotia Archives accession no. 1982-462 no. 13

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


"Home of Simeon Perkins (1735-1812), Merchant and Diarist of Liverpool, NS"

Date: ca.1936

Photographer: Nova Scotia Bureau of Information, #1260

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Liverpool: Houses: Perkins House

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


"DeWolfe House, Wolfville, NS"

Date: 1930s

Photographer: Clara Dennis

Reference: Clara DennisNova Scotia Archives accession no. 1981-541 no. 409

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


Amberman House, Granville Ferry

Photographer: Nova Scotia Information Service

Reference: Nova Scotia Information ServiceNova Scotia Archives no. 4885

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


"The Old Corner House, Grand Pre, NS"

Date: ca. 1930

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Grand Pre: Houses: Old Corner House

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


Romkey House, Lunenburg, NS

Date: 1958

Photographer: E.G.L. Wetmore

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Lunenburg: Houses: Romkey House

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


Medway Inn, Mill Village, Queens County

Date: 1958

Photographer: E.G.L. Wetmore

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Mill Village, Queens County: Houses: Medway Inn

Topic: What style is that house? / Dutch or Georgian Colonial


Prescott House, Starr's Point

Photographer: Nova Scotia Bureau of Information

Reference: Nova Scotia Information ServiceNova Scotia Archives no. 7117

Topic: What style is that house? / Palladian Architecture in Canada


"Old Prescott House, Starr's Point, Kings County, NS"

Photographer: Clara Dennis

Reference: Clara DennisNova Scotia Archives accession no. 1981-541 no. 407

Topic: What style is that house? / Palladian Architecture in Canada


Mount Uniacke, NS, Summer Residence of the Uniacke Family

Date: ca. 1830

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Collection: Places: Mount Uniacke: Houses: Mount Uniacke

Topic: What style is that house? / Palladian Architecture in Canada


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