Got a Happy Story? Victorians Rule Edition

Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face.  It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience.  The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.

Last week I wrote about Cape Cod houses and Federal houses.  This week Eddie is stuck at work so he called and asked me to post the diary.  It only made sense to move on to the next architectural periods.  I have to preface that by saying that I while I truly adore Victorian homes, the ones around here don't hold a candle to the first Victorians I ever saw.  There is really nothing quite like the Gingerbread Cottages on Martha's Vineyard.

Following the Federal period came the Greek Revival movement in architecture.  The most notable aspects of Greek Revival are the triangular details and actual or faux columns built to look like Greek Temples.

a simple Greek Revival home

Duxbury Bank, 1833, soberboy's friend lives here

faux column detail

Victorians are known for some details like a lack of symmetry, mansard roofs, differently sized windows, turrets, and large porches.  To me, the very best Victorians have wild colors and gingerbread designs along the eaves and porches.  Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard is famous for outlandish Victorian cottages.  The ones here in town are fairly dull so I've included some from other towns in the area.  

in Duxbury

in Duxbury, turret on the left

in Cohasset

in Hingham

Hingham detail

Marshfield gingerbread

Marshfield eaves

Marshfield porch

Green Harbor cottage

Green Harbor entry detail

While I do love the symmetry and clean lines of the Federals, I will always love Victorians best.  Federals are serious grown up homes.  Victorians are like little girls who get into their mother's closets and try on feather boas and clunky earrings and necklaces that don't match.  They're frivolous and goofy and never take themselves too seriously.

What's your happy story this week?