06. Dutch Colonial Revival

   The areas around New York City and the Hudson River were originally settled by the Dutch who created New Amsterdam (presently New York City).. The British defeated the colony in the 1600's. Many of the Dutch and German Palatines (my relatives included) fled to Canada at the time of the American Revolution in the late 1700's. The Dutch Colonial Revival style was brought along with them.

               6a. Dutch Colonial Revival, (Stratford)

This house, and its neighbour below, were built in 1905.

                          6b. Dutch Colonial Revival (Stratford)

What to look for (clues)

• The Gambrel shape of the house (Barn Style) is a dead giveaway. As you can see the upper portion of the roof has a fairly shallow slope while the bottom portion becomes steeper, frequently ending with a large, bell-cast eaves.

• The gambrel shape is often added to other portions of the house for decoration.

• The overall structure is, as a rule, fairly large.

• There are usually windows on the front roof that form a large dormer or a pair of matching dormers. The large dormer often has its own gambrel shape.

• The front of the house normally faces the street.

   6c. Dutch Colonial Revival (Kitchener)

                                                6d. Dutch Colonial Revival (Waterloo) -modern

Mrs.Ashburn and her children moved to 'Toronto' from Pennsylvania in 1794 and began clearing this land for the estate seen below. Over the two centuries that they lived here the family changed from pioneers, to successful farmers, to professionals.  

                  6e. Dutch Colonial Revival, (Queen St. in Toronto)

                           6f. Dutch Colonial Revival (Walkerton)

Where To Find It

The Dutch Colonial Revival is common in Southern Ontario and may also be found in Quebec and the Maritimes.

   The style was originally brought to America when the Dutch had the colony of New Amsterdam where the present New York City is sited. The Dutch colony was built north along the Hudson River. I have never been able to find an example of these farm houses until now. Imagine my pleasure when I located this one in Oshawa!

                  6g. Dutch Colonial Revival (Oshawa) - 1846