get qell soon

Once upon a time, in a forgotten land, there lived a young woman named Mia. Mia had always been intrigued by tales of magic and enchantment, often finding herself daydreaming about a world filled with mystical creatures and extraordinary abilities. Little did she know that her wildest imagination was about to become a reality. One fateful day, while exploring the ruins of an ancient castle, Mia stumbled upon an exquisite brooch hidden amongst the rubble. Without thinking, she delicately picked it up and fastened it to her dress. As soon as the brooch touched her skin, an extraordinary sensation coursed through Mia's body.

As soon as the brooch touched her skin, an extraordinary sensation coursed through Mia's body. Suddenly, time around her seemed to freeze, and the world as she knew it disappeared. In its place, a mesmerizing realm filled with vibrant colors and ethereal beings unfolded before her eyes.

What's The History Of Vermont's 'Witch Windows'?

You might have seen this architectural oddity on an old Vermont farmhouse, even if you didn’t know what to call it.

It’s one of those upstairs windows that’s set on a diagonal.

Or, as State Architectural Historian Devin Colman explains it, "It’s the crooked window tucked up under the eaves in the gable end — and it’s just tucked in there at a crazy angle."

A lot of Vermonters call them "witch windows." But why? Where does that name come from, and why are these windows installed in the first place?

This is what Aaron Troncoso, of Burlington, was wondering when he posed a question to Brave Little State, VPR's people-powered journalism podcast.

"What is the history of Vermont's witch windows? And why do they only exist in Vermont?" — Aaron Troncoso, Burlington

It's just one of the questions that Brave Little State took on in its recent episode: Your Vermont History Fix, From Gold Mines To Witch Windows.

Devin Colman, who works for Vermont’s Division for Historic Preservation, says there’s superstitious lore behind the name, "witch window."

"The story is that a witch on a broomstick can’t fly through a crooked window opening, which I guess physically is true," says Colman.

"But, it’s the only crooked window in the whole house. And if I were a witch, I would just use one of the other vertical windows," he adds with a laugh.

And Colman says there’s another theory that doesn’t quite add up.

"You’ll also hear them referred to as coffin windows," he says. "The idea being that it’s difficult to maneuver a coffin with a body from the second floor down to the first floor in these narrow staircases, so slide it out through the window and down the roof — which does not seem any easier. And, if you think about it, you wouldn’t carry a coffin upstairs to put a body in it. You would bring the body downstairs and put it in the coffin on the first floor. So, I don’t think that holds a lot of truth there."

Britta Tonn is an architectural historian in the Burlington area, and she's skeptical about that origin story, too. But she's willing to concede it might be "another convenient use of the window once it was developed."

"I think they’re just a really great piece of vernacular Vermont architecture that really kind of points to how unique Vermont is and how resourceful farmers were," says Tonn.

Colman says the real origin of the witch window is probably much less interesting: "My interpretation as an architectural historian is that it’s simply a really practical New England response to the need to get daylight and fresh air into a second-story room."

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You'll often see a witch window above a one-story addition to an old farmhouse.

"And typically, if you’re adding on a wing to a house, you’re covering up windows," Colman explains. "So you’ll have an extra window sitting around, and why not just angle it and tuck it in that little section of wall space?"

In a word, Colman says: "Frugality."

As to why the windows are only found in Vermont — well, they aren’t.

"It’s not specific to Vermont," says Colman. "I think it’s more prevalent, but you do find them in rural areas in New Hampshire and Maine and other parts of New England."

In other places, they’re simply referred to as crooked, or angled, windows. That being said, both Devin Colman and Britta Tonn agree that highest concentration of witch windows is in 19th-century farmhouses in north-central Vermont. And Colman says we might be the only ones to call them “witch windows” — and tell those stories associated with the name.

"It seems like the 'witch window,' and that explanation, might be unique to Vermont," he says. "Because none of my colleagues in other states had ever heard that, and thought it was an interesting theory."

Around here they’re also called Vermont windows, and lazy windows. And of course there’s endless fun to be had with the question of “which witch?” — as in this architectural history joke Tonn shares:

"Someone, a tourist, will be driving by and ask the local, ‘Hey, why does that window look so funny in that house?’ And the local will say, ‘Which window?’ And the tourist says, “Ok, great, thanks.’ And they drive off."

Or perhaps the crooked window just doesn't know which way to go.

Brave Little State has support from the VPR Journalism Fund. Our editor is Lynne McCrea, and our theme music is by Ty Gibbons. Other music in this segment was used under a Creative Commons license:

• "The Dance" by David Szesztay
• "Lightfeet" by Podington Bear

What does that mean?

Mia had been transported to a different time. As she ventured through this enchanted world, Mia soon discovered that she was not alone. A powerful and mysterious witch named Seraphina emerged before her. Seraphina saw something special in Mia, recognizing the unique energy that surrounded her. Seraphina revealed to Mia that the enchanted brooch she had found was an ancient artifact, capable of bridging the divide between different realms and times. Mia had inadvertently activated its magic, opening a doorway to a time long ago. Seraphina, impressed by Mia's pure heart and unwavering curiosity, offered to teach her the ways of magic and guide her through this time-traveling journey. Excited and eager to learn, Mia accepted Seraphina's proposition without hesitation. Under Seraphina's tutelage, Mia discovered her innate magical abilities. She learned to harness the elements, cast spells, and unlock the secrets of the enchanted brooch. Together, they embarked on thrilling adventures, encountering dragons, unicorns, and other mythical creatures. As they traveled through time, Mia began to understand the responsibility that came with her newfound powers. She realized the importance of using magic for the greater good and helping those in need. Throughout her journey, Mia also encountered others who had fallen victim to the dark arts. Seraphina taught her to be vigilant and to defend herself against the forces of evil. Together, they became a formidable team, safeguarding the balance between light and darkness. Time seemed limitless within this enchanted realm, but Mia knew that eventually, she would have to find her way back home. With a heavy heart, she bid farewell to Seraphina and the magical world she had grown to love. Mia returned to her own time with a newfound appreciation for the simple wonders of life. She carried the lessons she had learned from Seraphina, forever changed by her extraordinary journey. The enchantment of time-travel had allowed Mia to grow, teaching her resilience, compassion, and the incredible power that lies within oneself. Though the physical world may never be as magical as the realm she had visited, Mia knew that within her heart, the enchantment of her time with Seraphina would last forever..

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