Everyone has their own idea or concept when they think of Victorian architecture, but few realize the Victorian Era was filled with a variety of architectural styles ranging from Craftsman, at the end of the period, to Gothic and even Italian and French Renaissance.

Visitors to the complimentary HSOG Preservation Awards Walking Tour will not only get to see the facades of the restored homes and businesses which won the Beersheba Preservation Awards, but will be delighted to learn histories of Ocean Grove and be able to distinguish between the various styles and the periods of the Victorian Age that spawned them.

Tour Guide Ted Bell, one of the communities historians, takes visitors on an hour and half tour of the town pointing out not only the homes and businesses which won the awards, but also other interesting architectural  details, all the while giving a history of Ocean Grove. Visitors will learn the difference between Queen Anne, Stick, Eastlake, Gothic Revival and Empire Revival styles, the primary forms of architecture found in Ocean Grove, and what distinguishes them. Gothic revival, for example, was inspired by the great Cathedrals of Europe. They can be identified by their rounded windows and doors, high peaked gables, and boxy chimneys, while the Empire Revival style is distinguished by its mansard roofs, floor to ceiling windows and wrought iron embellishments.

Stick Style is reminiscent of Medieval European constructions, often with exposed trusses, extensive fretwork or gingerbread and simple columns, usually square. A classic example of the Stick Style is Centennial Cottage. The Queen Anne style of architecture almost always has a turret, most generally rounded, wide wrap around porches, large windows and have an overall airy feeling.

The Eastlake Style, named after the famed designer and architect, is   loaded with embellishments and fanciful colors. Recessed balconies, stained glass windows, turrets and turned spindle work complete this style of house. Theses were, of course, not the only styles of architecture popular in the Victorian age. Two other styles found in Ocean Grove are Colonial Revival and Craftsman style, which was popular at the end of the Victorian age and through the Edwardian period. Another style which was popular in Ocean Grove, and in many shore communities, was the Shingle Style which is distinguished by rustic shingles or cedar shake. Reminiscent of Salem, MA, House of the Seven Gables, this style shunned all of the fussiness of the Victorian Era for a more simplistic look.

As the tour progresses through the town, Ted explains the differences while pointing out classic examples, but this is not all. Even among the styles there are variations and Ted explains these as well. Windows, for example, can be two over one, two over two or one over one. There are even Palladian windows in some of the Grove's homes. Did you know there are different types of cedar shake and shingles and varied ways in putting them up? Ted even explains this.

But the architecture is not the only part of Victorian Restoration and Preservation. Streetscape or Curb Appeal is just as important and Ted explains this as well. As visitors tour the town, he explains the various types of gardens, fencing, lawn ornaments and their appropriateness to the home's architecture. Did you know during the Gothic Revival period it was in vogue to place oversized cast iron statuary of animals on your front lawn? Do you know the difference between cast iron and wrought iron?

Whether you are a history buff, interested in restoring a Heritage Home or Building, or you just enjoy walking the streets of Ocean Grove and taking in the architecture and gardens, this once a year tour is a must. The complimentary tour, sponsored by the HSOG, is held at 6:30 PM the Friday evening after the Beersheba Awards Presentation Dinner every year and leaves form the Museum of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove on Pitman Avenue and Auditorium Square.