Boston of the West

Architectural Historian Jack Bookwalter discusses the evolution of Colonial Revival-style homes in Portland. A short tour follows the talk.

The 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia ushered in an era of nostalgia for all things “Colonial” or “Early American.” The rapid industrialization of America had produced a backlash that yearned for the simpler, less urban life of the preceding century. This movement found architectural expression in the Colonial Revival house. In the early years of the 20th century, Portland became known as the “Boston of the West” because of the number of Colonial Revival homes being built here.