Carpenter Gothic

U.S. domestic architecture style of the 19th century. The houses executed in this phase of the Gothic Revival style display little awareness of the original Gothic approach, but rather an eclectic and naive use of superficial Gothic decorative motifs. Turrets, spires, and pointed arches were liberally applied, as was much decorative gingerbread, made possible by the invention of the scroll saw. Carpenter Gothic houses were built throughout the U.S., but surviving structures are found chiefly in the Northeast and Midwest.

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