Historic doorways of Old Salem - Illustrated Edition 1926

Architecturally speaking, it is usually the feature upon which the chief emphasis is placed; and thus it expresses not only the taste and personality of the architect, but to a certain extent also those of the occupant of the home to which it belongs.For the doorway is more than a mere entrance and exit to a dwelling. It assumes a human aspect, as standing for personal and social elements, and as revealing something of personal and social ambitions and ideals. It ceases to be merely utilitarian, and becomes suggestive, with an atmosphere of romance and poetry, as being intimately connected with basic human experiences both of joy and sorrow; and associates with itself memories of historic personages who have passed through it, and of historic events which have taken place within the house itself.