Old houses are unique as they present smart designs and concealed aspects that are usually not found in newly constructed buildings. The panel I identified could have had several functions in use at different times over the course of many years. Perhaps, it was initially intended for the passage of food or messages through a through window – a rather ingenious idea. It could have been converted to a hidden shelf where people could place their belongings when they did not want them to be easily seen.
This panel affirms that houses of old were versatile structures that could be put to many uses. It gave me a glimpse of how houses where once constructed not only with purpose but with aesthetics in mind; homes that are adaptable to the changing generations.
During the mid twentieth century, houses were constructed in a way that they incorporated such special characteristics to save on space and make the most out of every part of the house. These were not just mere amenities; they represented the norms and the attitude of the people of the time. For instance, pass-through windows were used in the 1950s, which was a perfect reflection of the American society at the time that was obsessed with convenience and all things modern particularly in the kitchen, which was considered as the heart of the home.
ADVERTISEMENT
