Architecture of Templeton, Massachusetts Historic District

The Templeton, Massachusetts Historic District architecture is predominantly Federal and Georgian. The earliest buildings and houses in common area were built in Georgian style following strict symmetrical rules. Besides by symmetrical and square shape Georgian architecture is also characterized by Neoclassical details, five bay form with a low pitched roof with central or double chimney, while the roof in larger houses was hipped. The center bay is emphasized with front door framed and topped with five rectangular windows. However, there are only few examples of Georgian architecture in Templeton, Massachusetts Historic District.

In contrary with Georgian architecture there are much more buildings, objects and houses preserved in Federal architecture which was popular in the United States from 1780 to 1830. The Federal architecture developed from the Georgian style and features some of its characteristics, however, it can be distinguished from the Georgian architecture by use of plainer surfaces and delicate Neoclassical ornamentation in Adam style, a style of Neoclassical architecture named after of Scottish architect Robert Adam and his brothers. Other architectural styles feature Greek Revival and Colonial Revival.

Unfortunately some of the buildings are not extant, however, thanks to the images taken by Oren Williams and Wallace Underwood from 1880 and 1940 there is a great record of some of the lost objects and their architecture.