Book Description

The church steeple was one of the first art forms to be cultivated in this new land, becoming one of early Americas principal artistic achievements. The backstory of this distinctive art form is a fascinating one. The "Yankees," a homogenous group emerged in New England in the early 18th century. Their artistic abilities in design are also prevalent in silverwork and furniture craft, however it was in their steeples that they excelled and in which they were best expressed. In The Steeples of Old New England, Kirk Shivell traces both the history of these steeples and the Yankee society that built them, including many examples and anecdotes, covering the period between 1701 through 1860. This book provides a wealth of information students of history, architecture, and religion, or anyone else interested in reading about or visiting these historical landmarks. These magnificent edifices rose up everywhere on the newly settled New England landscape; the earliest built only a half-century before the American Revolution, and the last, built right before the Civil War. There are over 115 exquisitely beautiful illustrations, some full color, and others taken from documents of the period. A comprehensive directory and bibliography are also included.