Great piece on the upcoming Porch Parties. Youll like the historical perspective: Neighbourhoods with front porches can be found throughout North America. Some have argued that they are a distinctly American phenomenon, with complex origins, including African social and cultural traditions. So theyre not rare. But they are a precious, vulnerable, non-renewable resource: Starting in the 1930s and 40s, the front porch went out fashion. The rise of the automobile, air conditioning, and over-the-air broadcasting are commonly cited as prime factors in this decline. They havent been building streets and houses like that for 60 or 70 years now, and almost certainly never will again. Just one more reason to appreciate what the organizers of the Hohner Avenue Porch Party and the Grand Porch Party are contributing to our community, and to be grateful for the generosity of neighbours willing to share their porches and front yards with all of us for an afternoon.
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 13:05:14 +0000