Garageitecture: From the Carriage House to the Garage Band

Garages are one of the most pervasive architectural spaces of the past century, but how did that happen? For the first time, the AHC presents a program dedicated exclusively to something that people use most every day, but that often gets left out of the conversation when it comes to talking interesting architecture. AHC Education Committee member Jim Varner joins us for what should be a fun and interesting look at the development of the garage, from its days as a place to house your horse and buggy, through the early 20th century, when most garages were add-ons to existing homes. From there we’ll explore how by the mid-century, we had become attached to the garage so such so that they were now physically attached to our homes and often sized for more than one vehicle. As time went on, garages came to almost dominate the houses to which they were attached, leading to neighborhood backlash, but also to an era in which garages, while still common, are used less and less for actually housing our vehicles.

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Seating is Limited. Pre-Registration is Highly Recommended.

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Urbanite. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.

Two-car garage, from The Home (1923). Architectural Heritage Center Library.