Sleeping porches had already become common design elements on houses due to the valuation of open air living and concerns over tuberculosis.
While sleeping porches became common features on early 20th century houses, many have been enclosed making them unavailable for our current use. Such porches could be found on houses both large and small, as seen below.
Peter B. Wight, “The Residence of Harold L. Ickes, Esq., Hubbard Woods, Ill. and the Residence of Mrs. Cyrus H. McCormick, Lake Forest, Ill.: Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton, Architects,” Architectural Record, March 1918
Plan: House of Harold Ickes, page 198
multiple sleeping porches provide fresh air for the family
Façade: House of Harold Ickes, page 199
Though the following is perhaps not our definition of a “small house,” sleeping porches could also be found attached to even smaller houses. Several such examples remain locally in Tyrone, just south of State College.
“The Charm of the Small House,” Architectural Record, October 1918
Façade: House of Herbert Flemming, page 291
Plan: House of Herbert Flemming, page 293
Robert H. Moulton, “Sleeping Chamber on a Tower,” Architectural Record, May 1918, Page 488
audio of article
Some homeowners went to extremes for fresh air at night.
“How Can We Keep Well?: Pneumonia and the Epidemic” Hermann M. Biggs, reprinted from McCall’s Magazine
Feb 28, 1919, Democratic Watchman, page 7
full page
audio of newspaper selection
Centre County residents were reminded of the value of open-air treatment and fresh air in general through this reprinted article.
March 28, 1919, Democratic Watchman, page 4
full page
audio of newspaper selection
A traveler writing home to Bellefonte also recognized the value of open air living, while he sought a healthy climate in California.
Further readings on sleeping porches:
“Sleeping Porches”
Helen Dean Bogan
The National Builder, Jun. 1, 1919, Volume 62, Issue 6
“Sleeping Porches”
Charles P. Rawson
The National Builder, Oct. 1, 1914, Issue 1