Monday, October 19, 2009

I have always felt close to the colonial period of our country and the saltbox house played an important part in our early history.

Although this isn't a true saltbox house...it has that feeling. Typical Saltboxes will slope from two stories on the front to one story on the back. There were two reason why this type of house became so popular. First of all from a practical sense...the original house was built and as the family grew...an addition was simply added on to the back of the house...usually a kitchen. The original reason for a saltbox house was a financial decision. At that time, house of more than one story were taxed by the government. Since the roof line of a saltbox sloped to one story...the house was exempt from taxation. I wish those laws still applied!

This house is located in the early Utopian community of New Harmony...a small town in Southern Indiana from which I have drawn so much inspiration for pictures over the years. Personally...I would love to spend a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday in this house. Warm fire lit, the heavy fragrance of Wassail mixing with the earthy fire drifting throughout the first story.

A peaceful time with a few close friends and family...no false smile or conversation just to mark the time but true connections...there may be laughter or smiles or even tears...but the knowledge that you are with friends...make the night.

I am so looking forward to the holiday season.

Dan

8 comments:

Sunny said...

I love the Autumn colors against the white of the house. This past weekend I took some pictures of an old saltbox house down in the valley. Great minds must have been thinking alike!
Sunny :)

shabby girl said...

I love the lighting in this one! Very nice.

Suburban Girl said...

'It looks so New Englandy' was my first thought. Yes...like a salt box too. It is really a very lovely photo.

septembermom said...

Very New England feel to the photo! The colors are great.

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...Saltbox houses are my favorites! So simple. I hope you will post the salt box on your blog, I would love to see it.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl...it was taken during the "Golden Hour"...just before sunset...my favorite time for pictures.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Rebecca, I appreciate the comment.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...I have to get to New England some day...I have traveled extensively but for some reason other than to Boston for business trips, I have not seen the "new England" I want to see yet. Someday!

Dan