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
"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
"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