The architecture of colonial America

Originally published in 1915, Harold Donaldson Eberlein’s 'The Architecture of Colonial America' emerged during a period of intense American interest in the Colonial Revival movement. Eberlein, a prolific writer on domestic architecture and decorative arts, sought to catalog the formal characteristics of early American buildings to provide a scholarly resource for architects, historians, and homeowners who wished to integrate period-appropriate aesthetics into modern construction.

The book is noted for its meticulous categorization of regional styles, ranging from the Dutch colonial influences in New York to the distinctive masonry of Pennsylvania. Through his detailed descriptions and accompanying illustrations, Eberlein aimed to demystify the architectural vernacular of the eighteenth century. The work was well-received upon release, establishing itself as a foundational text that bridged the gap between academic architectural history and the popular enthusiasm for the Colonial Revival style that defined early 20th-century American design.