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Why Do Some Homes Have “Witch Windows”? 🧙♀️🪟
These oddly angled windows—installed diagonally in gable walls—are a quirky architectural feature found mostly in 19th-century New England homes, particularly in Vermont. But why do they exist? Here’s the fascinating history and theories behind them:
1. The Practical Reason: Saving Space
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Many “witch windows” (also called “coffin windows” or “Vermont windows”) were added to older farmhouses where the roof’s steep pitch left little room for traditional vertical windows.
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By tilting the window 45 degrees, homeowners could fit it between the roofline and the side wall without expensive structural changes.
2. The Superstitious Theory: Keeping Witches Out 🧹
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Folklore claims these windows were installed diagonally to prevent witches from flying through them on broomsticks (since witches supposedly can’t maneuver sharp angles).
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Historians debate this, as the name likely came later—but it’s a fun story!
3. The Coffin Connection ⚰️
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Another myth suggests these windows allowed coffins to be passed horizontally from upstairs bedrooms (avoiding tight staircases).
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In reality, most homes had staircases wide enough for coffins, making this unlikely.
4. Cheaper Than a Dormer
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Adding a dormer (a vertical window extension) was costly. A diagonal window was a budget-friendly way to bring light and air into cramped attic spaces.
Where to Spot Them 🏡
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Most common in rural Vermont, but also appear in parts of New Hampshire and Upstate New York.
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Look for them on Greek Revival or Cape Cod-style homes from the 1800s.
Modern Witch Windows
Today, a few architects and homeowners add them as whimsical nods to history—or just to solve tricky roof angles!
Would you install one? 😉
(Fun fact: Vermont even has a “Witch Window” whiskey named after them!)
