New England Architecture 101 – Queen Anne
Think of the Queen Anne Victorian as a dreamy medieval dollhouse.
The Queen Anne Victorian
Photo Credit : Illustration by Rob LeannaThe final “Victorian” style and contemporary with the all-American Shingle, grand Queen Anne homes are like dreamy medieval dollhouses complete with turrets, vibrant paint jobs, ornamental trim, and wide front porches.
Time Period: 1880–1910
Characteristics: Bay windows, turrets, towers, and bold multicolored exteriors
Famous Example: The “Painted Ladies” of San Francisco, California
Where to Find Queen Annes: Throughout New England in every size, from wee cottages to grand mansions.
1. Exterior: Asymmetrical; typically painted in three or more colors
2. Roof: Steep with cross gables or large dormers
3. Tower: A round or polygonal front corner tower with a conical or domed roof
4. Windows: Large, single-pane windows and frequent projecting bay windows
5. Porch: Expansive and boasting decorative “gingerbread” spindle-work wood trim
Aimee Tucker
Aimee Tucker is Yankee Magazine’s Home Editor and the Senior Digital Editor of NewEngland.com. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
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