The Grand Greek Revival

This article was printed in the Lansing Community News, 1997. Written by CJ DelVecchio

If there ever was a doubt that art imitates life, one only has to ponder the significance of the Greek Revival style of architecture. In the1820"s through the 1850"s Lansing residents began to incorporate the architecture of the Greeks in their home designs: large pillars displayed on front porches, high ceiling-ed rooms with ornate trimwork, and a very distinctive exterior trim design called a cornice return. During this era (only 40 years after the end of the Revolutionary War) homeowners replicated Greek architecture as a symbolic gesture, paying tribute to their democratic system. Artistic renditions of the Greek Revival are available for "drive-by viewings" throughout the Lansing area. A fantastic example begins with a stop in North Lansing at the Hass home at 1696 Ridge Road, built circa 1825.

The Hass home is a looming Greek Revival in the three-bay design featuring an inviting front porch surrounded by large wooden pillars. Atop the 40x40 structure is a triangular pediment encasing two quarter windows (see photo 1). The house has been lovingly restored and maintained by Jerome and Joan Hass. Their efforts were honored with a "Certificate of Recognition" from Historic Ithaca and Tompkins County in 1993. As many historic homeowners can testify, restoring a home of this magnitude involves a lot of hard work and hours of skilled labor. For starters, the Hass family purchased the house only to discover that the previous owners had hurriedly painted the original wood siding with spray paint to protect the exposed wood from the upcoming winter elements.

While there are drawbacks to the realities of owning an older Greek Revival home, there is the sense of history and daily reminders of our predecessors. In the Hass house there is a battery-operated "call box" which is wired from the kitchen to either the master bedroom or the dining room. This system was most probably used by John Burlingame, an executive for International Harvester in Auburn, who purchased the house in 1911 and began his own remodelling. He was also responsible for the servantŐs quarters addition - indicating his obvious wealth and status in that area of Lansing at that time.

The interior of the Hass home is dramatic and elegant. The dining room has been completely restored as well as the striking living room. The elaborate parquet floors in the latter can distract oneŐs attention from the incomparable woodwork and trim that highlight the room. The staircase leading to the second floor is also unusual, with its curving bannister with seven-foot wide hallways and four large bedrooms. Clearly all the owners of this home throughout its life have always prided the uniqueness of the details displayed within.

Another fine example of the Greek Revival style in Lansing is the "Curls." Located on the corner of Route 38 and Benson Road, this house is one of a pair of twin houses; it earns its name from the decorative "curls" adorning the front porch. The other twin is the Buck house located on the corner of Van Ostrand and Buck Road - it is missing the decorative trim but if placed side-by-side these homes are a mirror image of the other. The shape and size of these homes are more typical of the Greek Revival style with the large cornice work at the roofline and the defining "cornice returns."

Other notable Greek Revivals to put on your "drive-by" list include Starlane Farms at 866 Ridge Road, the ButlerŐs house at 1583 East Shore Drive, and the HatfieldŐs house at 67 Moore Road.

Immediately following the Greek Revival era of architecture in Lansing came the Italianate style. In some parts of Tompkins County there was an era called the Gothic Revival, roughl from 1845 to 1860. This style is seen in City of Ithaca homes on Buffalo and Parker Streets, but Lansing has only one "true" Gothic Revival. The distinguishing features of this unique home, located at 545 Ridge Road, include pointed-arch window heads, fancy gable and roof ornamentations called bargeboards (see photo 2), and overall strong vertical proportions. This house was probably built between 1845 and 1860. You can see the remarkable restoration new owners Harlan & Betty Redder are undertaking as you drive north on Ridge Road.

Look for the next article on the Italianates, a popular style in the late 1800's. The Italianate design stresses tall proportions and decoration. Window height is increased as well as ceiling height. Another notable features are brackets, thoses decorative supports that rest underneath the long eaves.