Federal, or Adam, style architecture flourished in the southern United States from 1780 until the 1830s. The style developed in tandem with the newly-born United States and is named for that period in history, which saw the beginning of a federal government. The exterior is characterized by symmetrically arranged windows, a low-pitched roof, balustrades and a semi-circular fanlight above the main entry. Although Georgian-style architecture shares many of the same external features, federal style is decidedly less austere than Georgian and is distinguished by its decorative elements and the presence of curving walls. One of the most distinct elements of federal architecture is the inclusion of oval-shaped rooms, such is seen in the country's most famous federal-style building--the White House. An example of a federal-style plantation can be seen in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at the Ferry Plantation House.
Like most styles of architecture associated with the southern plantations, Greek revival is characterized by a symmetrical, uncluttered facade and a reliance on structural elements in place of heavy ornamentation to convey a sense of grandeur. The most easily identifiable feature of the style are the square or rounded columns that line the facade. In a departure from the era's predominant Georgian style, Greek revival does not include a rounded fanlight above the door, but rather uses narrow, rectangular windows around the front entryway. Built during the style's heyday (1800-1855), Belle Meade Plantation near Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the finest remaining examples of Greek revival architecture from the antebellum period.
Found mostly in the coastal plantations of the American South, Tidewater style was perfectly designed with the hot, humid conditions of the region in mind. The characteristic wraparound porch, or gallery, provides protection from both hot sun and heavy rain, as well as lending structural interest to the otherwise austere Greek-inspired facade. Tidewater style draws heavily from neoclassical architecture, often including columns and stark symmetry in its design. Although examples of this style are scarce, one well-preserved example remains in Hollywood, Maryland: Sotterley Plantation. Built in 1703, Sotterley Plantation perfectly embodies the aesthetic and functional traits of the style, with its sheltered gallery and balanced frontage.
