PORCH SITTIN' AT WRIGHT FAMILY GATHERING - Life Along Henry's Fork

(06/13/2004)

Porch Sittin' is still part of life along Henry's Fork ...

... with lots of talkin' before and after the meal ...

... while the woman gather 'round the kitchen table ...

... and others renew old times

The B. A. Wright family on Henry's Fork had a family gathering yesterday, not much different from everyday life along the creek, except more folks participated.

There was a lot of talkin', porch sittin', sittin' around the table and plenty of good country food.

The Wright house is still blessed with a large front porch facing the road on Henry's Fork - a really good sittin' porch.

During the early 1900s, a house was hardly considered complete unless it had a big front porch, which was an extension of the living room with swings, rockers, wicker furniture and tables. The Wright porch has such a flavor.

Porch sitting was usually reserved for evenings when the day's work was finished. After supper, when the dishes had been washed and put away, the whole family would gather on the front porch.

The Wright family, which includes the Tanners, Starchers, Roaches, Whytsells and many others, have always been dedicated porch dwellers.

Along Henry's Fork a summer evening opens to the stillness of nature, and most recently fireflies that come out of the ground and begin their dances. Since April, there is also the call of the whippoorwills.

Unfortunately the advent of air conditioning, telephone, radio, television, video games and computers drove Americans to move inside, but not down on Henry's at the Wright family gathering.