6. Dutch Colonial Revival

The Dutch initially settled around the present city of New York and up along the Hudson River. They were defeated here by the British in the 1600’s. Styles from this early colony have crept up into Canada. This was particularly true for the Dutch who fled to Canada at the time of the American Revolution in the late 1700’s.

What to look for (clues)

• The roof sometimes curves out at the base (bell cast). This creates very large eaves.

• The gambrel shape (barn style) may appear as decorations on any side of the house.

• The front of the house normally faces the road.

• There are usually windows on the second story that either project through the roof or are part of a larger dormer.
  

The house portrayed at the top is one of a pair that were built in 1905 in Stratford. This delightful urban house is more common than you would expect throughout Ontario.The second house is in Kitchener, while the third is an historic house on Queen Street in Toronto. The final house is a modern version in Waterloo. The style is alive and well!