Our neighborhood is full of homes where the front porch plays a significant role in defining the house. With most houses in Port Norfolk built in the early 1900's, you have to consider the fact that the comfort that air conditioning provides, and that most of us take for granted, didn't exist. The front porch was a retreat from what had to be almost stifling heat inside a house with little to no insulation as the summer sun glared down. Porches were also very social places. I find myself wondering quite often about the past families who have lived here and evenings that must have been spent outside after dinner over the past 113 years. I picture them picking at a guitar or listening to their favorite radio program through an open window. I think about a Dad sitting on the porch and greeting his daughter's most recent suitor as he climbed those front steps for the first time. It was definitely an era that for many is something that simply doesn't exist any longer.
Even in its most barren state when we first looked at the house, we could picture what this porch could be. Huge ferns would have to hang between the front columns. A porch swing facing the north and a wicker settee at the other end. Even then, we knew we wanted it to be welcoming, comfortable, and have an atmosphere that would almost draw you to it. Our front porch has truly characterized our home and played a huge part in what made us fall in love with it.
It was just begging for some love!
While we may not lack the modern marvels of creature comforts as those did many years ago, we don't let that keep us inside. We use our porch almost as a second living room. Even on the warmest of days, we'll sit out there for hours at a time and when the evening breezes pick up from the riverfront just down the street, you can't find a better place to be. Prior to this, we thought we knew what a great night was. But I can tell you, it's hard to beat a breezy night, 30's and 40's big band and swing music, a deck of cards, and a bottle of wine.
How does it get any better than this?
The social aspect has played a big part in our love of the porch as well. There simply isn't a better way to meet your new neighbors. We've had simple conversations with people out walking their dogs, to saying hello to someone new and within ten minutes, they are sitting on the porch with us having conversations that last for hours. In addition, Port Norfolk hosts a unique event each year called a porch crawl. It's somewhat of a progressive cocktail party from porch to porch among seven or eight houses. We were thrilled to be part of it this year and it was truly one of the best times we've ever had. Even as recently as this past weekend, we attended a porch party just down the street. Neighbors gathered to share food, cocktails, and spend time on a huge wrap-around porch just getting to know one another. The front porch is truly a gathering spot. It has done exactly what we wanted it to do, which is create an atmosphere where friends and family feel comfortable just stopping by. It has also given us a connection to times gone by. An era that was much more simple, but one we've come to appreciate and even emulate on a few evenings.
To wrap this up, let me quote a neighbor since I love the way he put it one evening while sitting with us. "This porch is a black hole. It just draws you in, you lose all aspects of time, and even hours later, you just don't want to leave."
Exactly...mission accomplished!
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