Greek Architecture

There were many buildings that were inspired by Greek architectural forms. Indeed, one of the most popular architectural styles of the 19th century was the so-called Greek Revival, which used Greek (and sometimes misidentified Roman) forms were in the creation of banks, churches, homes, and even retirement communities. In the early 19th century (until about 1840) Greek architecture was seen to embody the ideals of the new American democracy, embodying what the Athenians had achieved.  The form most used were the Doric Temple. Monumental, austere and solemn, the temple-form brought gravitas to the expanding Metropolis, giving status to its new civic architecture.

These forms can be found in residential architecture in many houses on Staten Island and Manhattan (especially on the north side of Washington Square Park). New York has two outstanding examples of architecture that use the Greek temple form: Federal Hall on Wall Street, Manhattan, and Snug Harbor on Staten Island.