It take the function of a place to foregather under shelter from the Greek house/temple portico and transforms it into a liminal space where a glimpse of private hearth and home is selectively shared with the world.
The west has been won so now you can gaze over the new frontier from your porch.
The rocking chair is de rigueur on the porch. It says that you have achieved enough of the American Dream to be able to contemplate your portion of Abe Lincoln's legacy and maybe take a well-earned nap.
Once you've fenced your land and raised your herd, you'll want to grill some meat. You used to do this over the camp-fire with your fellow wranglers and cowpokes but now you're cooking with gas, on the porch.
You can cheat by micro-waving.
You may have swapped your four-legged friends for some two-wheeled ones, but you still tie them up on the porch.
This can include your Harley.
Once you've made your pile you can take your postbellum ease on your antebellum porch.
Security worries? Here's a way to deter tanks from your lawn.
What you have on your porch makes a statement about who you are. This porch rooster says 'we're funky, arty, and our Louisiana roots are just a little bit French'.
The world's grandest clothes drier?
We may not break in stallions any more but we still need to work out - and the porch is cheaper than the gym.
