THEPORCHESOFCAPEMAY
Beautifuldowagersthatstillhavethepowertoturnheads
andmakepeoplestoptoadmiretheirexquisiteform
C
APE MAYhasliterallyhundreds the Victorian resort, have you ever won- sprawling home in this National Historic
of stained glass windows in deredaboutthephrase“in the red”or“in Landmark City just has to have a porch,
expected, and some unexpected, the black” – and what the connection witharockingchairorahammocktopro-
places around town including a Louis mightbetoCapeMay? vide that quintessential feel of welcome
ComfortTiffanywindowinaprivatehome One story that might be true says that thatbidsguestssitaspell,sipanicedteaor
onWashingtonStreet.Especiallybeautiful years ago when families had a red front catchuponthelatestgossip.
are stained glass windows in Our Lady dooritmeanttheyhadamortgageontheir Colorful brackets, carpenter’s lace and
Star of the Sea Catholic Church on the homesotheywereinthered.Thosewitha gingerbread trim cast their intricate after-
Washington Street Mall and the First blackfrontdoorownedtheirpropertyand noonshadowsacrosstheporchfloorwhile
Presbyterian Church at Hughes and wereintheblack.Soundsprettygood. above,someownershavecontinuedaVic-
Decaturstreets.Bothareaboutahundred Butthatwasthenandthisisnow.Today, toriantraditionofpaintingtheporchceil-
yearsold–abitmoreatthePresbyterian thecolorofahome’sfrontdoorsaysmore ing blue to simulate the sky. Leafy ferns
church – but the beauty of the Biblical aboutthedecoratingchoicesoftheowners and wicker planters filled with colorful
depictions in the huge panels of stained thanitdoesabouttheirfinancialstatus. summerflowerscomplementthepeaceful
glassarestillmagnificent. WalkalongHughesStreetinCapeMay beautyoftheporchesthatspreadacrossthe
Indeed,aroundtowninprivatehomes, –ormoststreetsintheHistoricDistrictof frontsandsidesoftheseseasidehomes.
bedandbreakfastinnsandevenbusinesses, America’sFirstSeasideResort–andmar- The wraparound porch at the historic
the royal blues, the ruby reds and deep vel at the plethora of entranceways that Chalfonte Hotel – just a block from the
greensofstainedglass–mostofthemold complement magnificent homes, cottages ocean–istheperfectplacetorock,reador
butwithafewreproductions–continueto andmansions.Althoughafewredorblack relaxwiththecooloceanbreezesproviding
intrigue anyone who enjoys strolling the doors – the Memucan Hughes house for companionship.
streetsofAmerica’sfirstseasideresort. example–canstillbefoundintown,most Many bed and breakfast inns, with
Walk around town just after dark and of the doors, frames and other exterior their welcoming porches, participate in
marvel how these windows and transoms details are vibrant and eye-catching, East Lynne Theater Company’s Tales of
filterandreflectthelight,castingkaleido- addingtheperfectarchitecturaltouchwith the Victorians, a delightful pastime for a
scope-style shadows that offer just a hint hardwareandwoodworkingasornateand summer or fall afternoon. Listen to the
ofhowmuchhistorythosewindowshave intricateaswhatawaitsinside. TalesoftheVictorians,shortstoriesreadby
witnessed. Then there are the porches – or the professionalactors,sipyouriceteaandlet
Whileyou’reenjoyingtheambianceof verandahs. Call them what you like, a yourimaginationtakeflight! a73
44 S O U T H E R N N E W J E R S E Y V A C A T I O N E R
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