Driving through the scenic countryside in the state of Vermont , you might see some anomaly in the computer architecture odd enough to make you do a twofold take . On the second floor of some older houses ( and a few raw I ) , a windowpane appears to have been installed incorrectly – at a 45 - arcdegree slant . What was the constructor thinking ? If the windowpane did n’t match decently , why not just put in a smaller one ? Or why instal one at all ?
Vermonters recognize these off - kilter windows as witch windows , " coffinwindows " or " Vermont windows . " Nearly undivided to Vermont , they begin popping up in dwelling around the 1830s , and you could still see them on some sign today [ source : Vermontpedia ] . The literal reasons for these odd window are rather hard-nosed , but thefolklorebehind the names is a hatful more interesting .
Why call them " witchwindows ? " According to an onetime superstition , witch on broomstick ca n’t pilot through angled windows . The abstract thought behind this is that their broomsticks but would n’t fit . ( We ’re not certain why the witches could n’t just turn sideways , but that ’s not for us to know . ) Therefore , building an angled window into a home would forestall witches from attempting to enter .
The " coffin window " nomenclature amount from another widely believed slice of Vermont folklore . Because older home typically had narrow or twisty staircases , it was unmanageable to maneuver a coffin up or down the steps if a family phallus give out . Folklore allege that these windows were placed into family so undertakers could take away coffins more easily via the window .
However , in reality , witch window serve a more useful purpose . When masses contribute a side wing to their family , this new accession typically obscured the gable wall , or old side of the house . This meant losing a lot of ventilation and light in the ease of the house . However , sometimes there was n’t enough elbow room on the outside wall to establish a regular windowpane , and putting in a custom - build window was n’t toll - in force . In the interestingness of practicality , some Vermonters instead installed a even windowpane , just careen at a 45 - level slant to make it fit . The angle windowpane still rent in igniter and homeowners could still open it to allow fresh air into the house . And , in many case , the window was repurposed from remnant materials from construction of the new plus . An inventive and earth - friendly solution , even back in the 1800s .
Why this architectural phenomenon is sole to Vermont is unknown , but it add a dash of uniqueness to the landscape painting and an interesting story for out - of - towner .
