Preservation Education: History of the American Porch

There is no architectural element in our historic architecture more nostalgic than the American porch. We remember playing on them as kids. We hung out on them with our friends as teenagers (probably stealing a kiss or two we weren’t supposed to have yet). We sat on them as adults sipping iced tea on hot summer evenings. We visited with friends and family laughing and playing cards. We sat on them to watch parades. Some of us even slept on them to escape the oppressive heat inside on hot summer nights.

But where did porches come from and how did they become the porches we know today? Here’s a quick primer on the history of the American porch.

Late 1700’s –

Porches were utilitarian covered doorways or flanked “stoops” that protected the main entrances from the weather and served as transitions to and from the outdoors

1778 –

George Washington sets the porch building standard with his American classical porch at Mt. Vernon

Early 1800’s –

Longer porches that span the entire front of homes become more popular

1800’s –

Porches in the Northeast were called “piazzas”, a word adapted from the Italian word for “open space”

Porches in the south were called “verandas”, a term that reflected British colonial design influences from India. This term would eventually become the dominant term along the East Coast.

Porches in the French colonial areas of the deep South wrapped around the entire house and were referred to as “galleries”.

Porches in Spanish colonial architecture were called “arcades”.

1830’s & 40’s –

The classic columns of the Greek Revival make their way onto porches of public buildings, hotels, and mansions

Mid 1800’s –

Porches have fully evolved from transition spaces into gathering places for socializing

The growing middle class builds homes with elaborate porches dressed with fancy millwork in new suburban neighborhoods.

Late 1800’s –

Highly decorated wrap-around Queen Anne style porches became wildly popular and are even added to small and simple houses.

Porches are now used as outdoor living spaces and their shaded and landscaped privacy offered a discreet meeting spot in an age obsessed with propriety.

1873 –

President Rutherford B. Hayes: “The best part of the present house is the veranda. But I would enlarge it. I want a veranda with a house attached.”

Early 1900’s –

Growing understanding and acceptance of germ theory brings medicinal value to porches as doctors begin touting the benefits of fresh air.

Hipped roofs and exposed rafters hit the scene on porches with bungalow architecture.

SLEEPING PORCHES BECOME A POPULAR AS TUBERCULOSIS SOARS.

1920’s – 50’s –

As autos hit the roads, porches move to the side of the house as we retreat from the noise and dirt and seek more privacy. Eventually they will end up at the back of the house where they will predominantly stay in new architecture for the next fifty or sixty years.