"Our hall. 1 min. 1:00 pm, November 5, 1895. Fine clear day." Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Historical Society.

Family and guests entered Clear Comfort through the Dutch door that had been part of the 18th century farmhouse. The door has a box lock, strap hinges, a drop latch, and a five light transom above. John Austen removed the top panels of the door and replaced them with diamond glazing; he also added a diamond-paned outer door. Another diamond-paned door at the rear of the hall is original. An interesting functional feature of the hall is the louvered panels high on the common wall with the middle parlor that were designed to improve ventilation and the exchange of heated air.