Exploring the pre-Civil War architecture of the 19th century in Volume 2, Pierson traces the evolution of two distinct styles--the "corporate," first seen in the chaste, brick buildings of early Boston, and the "early Gothic Revival," which brought new vitality to American religious and domestic architecture--in the works of Ithiel Town, Richard Upjohn, James Renwick, A.J. Davis, and Andrew Jackson Downing.

Beginning with a description of Gothic, Classical, and Baroque architecture, Pierson explores how American architects used these traditions to develop a uniquely American style. He examines the works of the early masters, including Bulfinch's Massachusetts State House, Latrobe's Capitol Building in Washington, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Mills's buildings in South Carolina, as well as Thomas Jefferson's house in Monticello, which represents the clearest expression of the new American architectural vision.