Federal architecture is one of the most easily recognizable building styles in the eastern United States. Owning a Federal-style home usually means owning a piece of U.S. history. Cities with large original Federal-home collections include Annapolis, Maryland, Savannah, Georgia, Castine, Maine, and Salem, Massachusetts. New England port cities, in particular, tend to have the highest percentage of Federal-style homes. Federal architecture is characterized by its spacious, rectangular designs, and simplicity. The style calls for symmetry, and homes built in the style are usually identical on either side of the central doorway. Unlike many modern-styled homes, Federal homes usually include a full second floor, and sometimes a third story attic.
Patriotism also played a role in the development of Federal architecture.