“Greek Revival”
June 2 and 6 Segment
Much of Nantucket’s historic architecture is categorized as Greek Revival—a style that was dominant on island during the whaling heyday of the 1830s to the Civil War. The reason is twofold: not only was this period the time of greatest expansion and wealth, but when one seventh of the town burned to the ground in 1846, the earlier wooden buildings were rebuilt in the fashionable Greek Revival style. Most houses in this style have classical doorways with transom, sidelights and columns. Elaborate Greek Revival public buildings include the Athenuem and the Methodist Church.