You've probably noticed that the
revival of Victorian architecture is
alive and well. Your local shopping
center, this year's housing development,
even downtown office buildings
sport towers, deep overhangs, foursquare
hip roofs, and the all-important
feature of late-Victorian house design,
the porch.
Most of us have fond memories
about porches. Mine are of sitting on
our screened porch in Omaha on
sweltering nights, talking, rocking,
saluting the occasional passing neighbor,
and waiting for the inevitable
evening thunderstorm to cool things
off. This was a time before mercury
vapor lights, and before TV and central
air conditioning kept people
inside. One could sit on the porch in
the dark, in the quiet, feeling private
and protected but completely in touch
with the community