Castles in America: their diffusion in the northeastern United States during the Romantic Era (1870-1930)

Abstract

During the Romantic Era (1870-1930), there was a resurgence of medieval themes in Western culture, especially in architecture. The architectural revival began in Europe and spread to the United States in the form of castles, creating a unique landscape. This unique landscape allows for an understanding of the diffusion of ideas from Europe to America, and the overall ties between Western Europe and America during this period. The analysis of this study was conducted using a case study with fifty castles, pattern analysis, and GIS analysis. Results show a pattern in the creation of the castles as grand residences built by men who were trying to cement their place within the upper levels of society by creating a unique urban and industrial landscape that was distinct from the European defensive landscapes.