Greek Revival and the National Style

On the Greek Revival:
“This style was so early introduced into our country, both on the ground of economy and correct taste, as it exactly suited the character of our political institutions and pecuniary means.”

~Robert Mills

In the eyes of many in Washington, a deliberate national style would foster a national identity as well as project an image of order and sophistication to distinguished visitors from abroad. Many disagreed on what this image should be. Should the new architecture copy from the past, reinterpret the past, or even be created into something completely new?

For the new Treasury, the answer was found in the popular movement of the early nineteenth century in America towards all things Greek, also called the Greek Revival. Many prominent and outspoken Americans of the early nineteenth century considered that the new national style lay within the architecture of the great republics of classical antiquity; that of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Archaeological discoveries in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s spurred new interest in Grecian tradition in particular. To a young America, Greek architecture represented reason, order, and harmony through its meticulously calculated mathematical proportions and clarity of design. To Robert Mills, the rational and robust quality of the Greek Revival was the appropriate solution for the next generation of federal buildings in Washington, namely the Treasury Building.

Treasury's image of powerful austerity derived from the Greek vocabulary was Mills’ unique interpretation of the Greek Revival. Its distinctive aestheitc set the standard for the government buildings in Washington and beyond. The American proclivity towards Greek Revival exceeded the nineteenth century, flourishing well into the twentieth century. Indeed, the oft-imitated style still proves to be unshakable by many architects of government buildings following in Mills’ path. The landscape of government buildings in Washington today resonates the continuing influence of the Greek Revival and the classical ideals of a nation seeking to assert its newfound status in the world.

To see examples of architecture of Ancient Greece, Click here.

For more information on the Greek Revival in America, see Greek Revival America, by Roger G. Kennedy, Stewart Tabori & Chang, ©1989.