Carl Lounsbury's wonderful book, A Illustrated Glossary of Early Southern
Architecture & Landscape, refers to pocket doors as "Sliding Doors", and says
that they first appeared in the South at the beginning of the 19th C., but only
became a standard feature in most 1830s and 1840s double parlor dwellings.  He
includes the following documentation:

    1802 - The first story of a Washington DC rowhouse had "two fire Places wood
Petiton with Sliding doors 6 feet wide 8 feet high"  INA Insurance policy, CIGNA
Archives.

Unfortunately this book doesn't address Greek noogies.  Were there also federal
noogies?  Glad to see that some former CBCers stuck with old buildings.

Mitch







Mike Devonshire wrote:

> BP Query----
>
> I have been asked about the history of pocket doors in the US. To my
> knowledge, the first use of them is during the Greek Revival period, possibly
> in New York City. Because much of the pattern book stuff prior to 1820's was
> based upon British modes, I have looked for precedents there but have not
> come up with any. Anyone got any scoop on this?
>
> Thanks, and a Greek noogie for anyone who helps,
>
> Twybil