Theta Xi was “founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York) on April 29, 1864. Of all the social fraternities today, Theta Xi is the only one that was founded during the Civil War (thetaximichigan.org). The building features a large Doric columned portico, six-over-six windows with shutters, and a classically inspired front entry with sidelights.
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The U.S. Treasury Building (1836-42), built by Robert Mills, an architect influenced by Benjamin Latrobe (a great proponent of neoclassical architecture) in Washington D.C. is an example worth mentioning because of its implementation of the Greek Revival style with grand proportions. “The initial east elevation incorporated 30 columns, each 36 feet tall and carved out of a single piece of granite” (Tyler 2014: 53). The treasury proved to be very influential on the designs of other government buildings and perhaps it’s not a coincidence that ancient Greek temples often served as treasuries and housed national riches, which our modern banks and treasuries reflect in their purpose and design (Tyler 2014: ibid.).
Also of note, in 1848, the Washington Monument, designed by Mills, “incorporated with proper ceremony one marble fragment taken from the ruins of the Parthenon” (Tyler 2014: 54). This symbolic act, physically connecting ancient Greece with the U.S. is of significance considering that the U.S. was a young nation in the process of constructing its identity. During the early 19th century the U.S. metaphorically leaned on Greece (ancient and modern) to drawing on its political and architectural methods and its independent spirit. The American government (as well the public architecture that represents it, including memorials) identified with Greece’s classical glory and valuing of freedom and placed physical remains from the Parthenon in a major, government funded monument in the nation’s capital, permanently tying the two nations together in a very symbolic way.
Josiah Beckley House. Source: aadl.org.
Built in 1834, this center-entry brick home is one of the oldest homes in Ann Arbor. Beckley built the home using his hand made bricks and is similar to his brother Guy Beckley’s home on 1425 Pontiac trail (http://aaobserver.aadl.org/aaobserver/40587). Josiah’s features side gable returns, symmetrically arranged six-over-six windows with shutters and interestingly, three black metal stars that are attached to iron rods that hold the brick walls in place (Wineberg 2014). The classical entrance with sidelights and specifically, the square engaged columns under a lintel emphasized by the woodwork may draw influence from ancient Greek temples.
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This simple house built in the 1830s in the general Greek Revival form with side gables on the second story is one of the oldest in Ann Arbor. In 1849, George Corselius, the original owner and the first man to leave for the California Gold Rush from Ann Arbor became ill on his journey there and had to turn back but died on his return at sea (University of Michigan 1974). Currently, the house is a part of the Division Street Historic District.
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John W. Maynard House. Source: Google Maps Street View 2014.
This center entry, side-gabled brick house was built in 1844 by John W. Maynard, who was a successful grocer with a store on main street. In 1914, newspaper editor R. T. Dobson added the massive porches and roof dormers in the Colonial Style and moved the entry from the center to the side of the house. Some of its architectural features include gable returns, two porticos with fluted Doric columns with the upper story supporting a windowed pediment, and incomplete pediment dormers.
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Jacob Beck House. Source: aadl.org.
Built by farmer Jacob Beck on twenty acres of land in 1864, this brick house features classic Greek Revival elements including gable returns with dentils, an off an center entrance with sidelights and a transom, paneled windows with shutters and frieze windows in the upper story. “Originally a one and a half story house, the roof was raised in the 1880s to accommodate higher ceilings. The bay window on the west is a modern addition” (Wineberg 2014). Today the house is home to John and Laura Baur.
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Andrew DeForest House. Source: aadl.org.
Built in 1845 by Andrew DeForest this Colonial Revival house was originally constructed in the Greek Revival Style with with large, square two-story columns that supported a triangular pediment under the gable end. However, DeForest decided that it was too similar to two other homes he had built on North State Street and removed the porch and changed the roof design. Currently, its original features may be seen in the home’s six-over-six windows with shutters, classical molding, and engaged corner columns.
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