Identification

• Colonial Cupola Crowns a Garage
  
  A cupola is a small, dome-shaped architectural structure that crowns a roof, commonly resembling a tiny house on top of a larger building. The colonial cupola is one of several distinguishing architectural elements of a colonial structure, along with white pillars and boxy frames.
  
  

History

• Cupolas can be traced back to eighth-century Islamic architecture. They gained popularity in the mid-eastern United States during the post-revolutionary period.
  
  

Function

• Colonial cupolas were used to admit light and ventilation into a structure while providing weather protection. They were also used as lookouts.
  
  

Geography

• Today, colonial cupolas are especially common in Virginia and Kentucky. It's difficult to find a century home in either of these states without one.
  
  

Benefits

• Colonial cupolas provide ventilation that helps prevent wood rot, mildew, peeling paint and musty odors, by eliminating moisture.
  
  

Fun Fact

• "Cupola" is derived from Italian, via the lower Latin word "cupula," meaning "small cup."