Before windows were treated to a dimity swag or scrim of muslin—before even glass—interior shutters met the basic requirements for protection from the elements. Practical, versatile, and visually appealing, interior shutters have retained their popularity over time, making them an appropriate choice for a large variety of period rooms.
Like the homes for which they were built, the earliest shutters were very basic: a single panel on a track, or grooved rail, that ran along the surface of the wall and the base of the window. A second type, consisting of one or two shutters, was vertically hinged. When opened, it was folded to the side of the window against the wall. The problem with both these styles was that they ate up precious space. Gradually a more practical design evolved: single or paired shutters that slid into cavities built into the plaster walls. At the time these were known as pocket shutters or privacy shutters. Another name lingers: “Indian” shutters, though this moniker originated in 19th-century New England, when folks began to mythologize the original function of pocket shutters as protection against “Indian raids.”