Porch Sittin' What's Old is New Again

Details: Category: Community News; Published on Thursday, 20 December 2012 22:43; Written by Renee Montgomery & D.V.Lawrence

In Memory of Wally Matsura, who passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19 2023, we are reposting this article about the neighborhood porch sitting that took place on Wally's porch every Saturday for years.

Front porches appear on every New Urbanist’s top ten list for ways architectural design can help build community.Remember Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and Barney sittin’ a spell after supper on the front porch? It was right neighborly!

In the first half of the 20th century the tradition of porch sitting helped residents cool off and visit a bit in the early evening air. Sociologists claim that front porches offer an essential social space -- a unique semi-neutral space in between the private sphere of the home but not as all-out public as the sidewalk. Passersby can feel comfortable stopping to chat sometimes, or simply moving on if they choose. Boys and girls used to court on the front porch -- away from parents’ uncomfortable glare but still within safe distance. Unfortunately the quaint tradition of porch-sitting virtually disappeared with the advent of air conditioning and TV. The tract home boom in the 1950s-60s meant that family living was re-directed toward the backyard, and houses set back further from the street to make way for driveways and garages.

Thanks to the New Urban Movement and a new thirst for ways people can better connect, front porches are making a comeback in residential and urban design. Residents are rediscovering the community value of porch sitting. One talk show has the host interviewing guests from her front porch, or in her case the front stoop. Since 2007 hundreds of “Professional Porch Sitters Unions” have sprung up across the US, an oxymoron for groups loosely united in their zeal to do nothing but loaf.

Editor Dianne Lawrence is a dedicated porch sitter:

porchweb Every Saturday at 4:30 pm. I set out with my dog Foxie (straining at her leash, eager to get to our destination) and head a few blocks south. There we join a dedicated group of neighbors congregating on the gathering porch of Wally, the block club patriarch. The house, which has been in his family since he was a boy, was nearly lost during the war.

Wally is of Japanese/German background and when he and his family were sent to a Japanese internment camp, relatives on the German side moved in and saved it for them. Now every Saturday Wally holds court in the middleof the porch, while Bob keeps the wine flowing, Tina arrives in another great outfit and Roy makes himself comfortable in his corner seat. Next door neighbors Alisa, Shereen and Mark pop over, the kids Lara and Roy play games on the lawn and everyone helps themselves to Karen’s homemade ice cream as Bill, John, Karen H. and neighbors from up and down the block slowly gather.

Averaging about 10 - 15 people, everyone is represented on The Porch, old, middle aged, young, straight, gay, several races, poor, the elusive middle income and the well to do. There is even a local squirrel who munches on his own plate of sunflower seeds while the visiting dogs show remarkable restraint and respect. No discussion of politics or religion allowed, yet there is never a lull in the lively conversations, often two or three going at once, with everyone falling silent when someone has useful information to share or a particularly good tale to tell. A good story is revered on The Porch and there is utmost respect and genuine interest shown to the storyteller, children included. If someone interrupts - “Shh! I’m telling a story!” - puts things right.

Porch Sitter Ron Hutchinson is a frequent world traveller and carries The Porch with him in a tiny box of little sitting and standing figurines. He returns from his exotic travels to his designated rocker and resumes the important role of affectionate porch curmudgeon, sharing information or travel pictures or simply listening with pleasure to the stories of others. Women are complimented on new outfits, children are encouraged in their endeavors, everyone feels good about everybody else while weekly trials and tribulations melt away faster than Karen’s watermelon ice cream on a hot day.