Ever wonder why Charleston has false front doors on many of the houses in the historic district? Or a better question, has anyone ever noticed? On my quest for the truth, I asked young and old alike, and finally found resolution with a kind lady at the visitor center. Here is the explanation.
House fronts were made purposely narrow, either to avoid excessive taxation for frontage or to locate the entry door along the piazza/porch to take advantage of the cooling ocean breezes. Whatever the reason, the home owners used this piazza/porch to cool down in hot summer months and in relaxing outside for periods of time, they needed some privacy and to keep home visits at bay. In order to achieve this tranquility, an extra exterior door was added for a measure of privacy. When it is closed, it politely states ‘do not disturb’, when open ‘come on in’. Back when these houses were built (200 + years ago) people lived by a different code of morality and dress. So when that door was closed, you could wear whatever a relaxing at home 20-something would wear living in the 1850′s. Maybe something not quite reaching the wrists or ankles (how risque!).
In any event, that is the reason for the doors.
Historic Charleston False Front House
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