Published Apr 6, 2021

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Published Apr 6, 2021

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Updated Jun 21, 2024

Here’s The Story Behind The Unusual Architectural Feature You’ll Only Find In Vermont

Vermont is known for its unique witch windows, which have a curious origin story and are mostly found in old farmhouses from the 1800s.

Updated Jun 21, 2024

Written by

Sophia

Every region has its peculiarities. Sometimes it's food, sometimes it's fashion, but in Vermont’s case, it’s windows. This state is home to some curiously shaped windows with an even more curious origin story. Here’s the backstory behind the so-called witch windows in Vermont.

alt — Wikimedia Commons/Piledhigheranddeeper

If you’re a longtime Vermonter, you may already know the story behind one of our state’s most unusual architectural features. However, newcomers are often baffled by the strangely askew windows sometimes found in Vermont homes.

alt — Wikimedia Commons/Piledhigheranddeeper

Known as "witch windows," these windows are normally situated at the gable-end wall of a home. They’re typically narrow and are rotated about 45 degrees from a vertical position.

This means that the window appears to be parallel with the slope of the roof. Why construct a window in such a weird manner? Turns out, it may have to do with witches…or maybe coffins. Here's the story behind witch windows in VT.

alt — Wikimedia Commons/Piledhigheranddeeper

Old Vermont superstition says that a witch wouldn’t be able to fly into a home if faced with such an oddly angled window. Other sources say that the windows were installed so that coffins could be easily removed from homes after wakes; they could simply slide down the angled roofs to the first floor.

However, the most likely origin of these bizarre windows is much more mundane. Witch windows in VT were probably popularized by local farms looking to add some fresh air and sunshine to awkwardly located second-floor rooms.

Today, Vermont witch windows are also known as "lazy windows," "Vermont windows," or "coffin windows." They’re sometimes added to new buildings to avoid the expense and trouble of fitting a custom window to a diagonal wall but are most often found in old farmhouses from the 1800s.

If you've been wondering, "Why are witch windows only found in Vermont," now you know! What do you think of this unique Vermont architecture? Let us know in the comments! For more unusual attractions and stories, check out the 18 weirdest places you could ever possibly go in Vermont.

Experiences

Updated May 30, 2024

11 Abandoned Places In Vermont That Nature Is Reclaiming

Explore various abandoned places in Vermont that nature has begun to reclaim, each with its own haunting character.

Updated May 30, 2024

Written by

Erika Sweet

If you're from Vermont, you know that there are tons of rustic houses, buildings, and old shops that have either been left to decay or forgotten about. Here are some interesting (albeit spooky) abandoned places in Vermont that nature has begun to take over. You can drive past some of these creepy places in Vermont, but we don't suggest hunting them down for an actual visit. Admire the haunting character of each photo and let your imagination do the work of what may have happened at these intriguing buildings and sites in abandoned Vermont.

1. The ski mountain equipment that hasn't been touched in years.

You can spot this abandoned Vermont ski equipment if you're adventurous enough to explore deep into Wilmington.

2. The earth is growing around this eerie old restaurant.

Follow the staircase to nothingness...

3. This spooky setting was left to decay outside an abandoned Vermont house in Pownal.

Was the TV watcher abducted? Did he have to run for his life? Stay tuned...

4. This rusty box car in Randolph.

Makes you wonder what they forgot about that's still inside...

5. This cabin that just needs a little bit of roof work...

Killington's most authentic, and literal, ski-in ski-out rental.

6. The inside of the Hyde Manor.

This haunted hotel in Sudbury was quite the mysterious place to explore and one of the most haunted abandoned places in Vermont. Unfortunately, it has been torn down.

Take a look at this video by @eef603:

7. This potentially haunted abandoned home in Vermont.

You could say this Huntington house has gotten a bit "weathered."

8. The lawn is taking over this old barn in Montgomery.

This barn has since been torn down.

9. This part of Route 189 in South Burlington is clearly not in use anymore.

Even roadways can become abandoned places...

10. This rustic shack in St. Albans.

11. And this quarry in Dorset, which is actually quite beautiful in its ruins.

Take a look at this video by @VermontHistoricalSociety:

While some of these may creep you out and send you running in the other direction, others have developed a true sense of beauty from the impact of nature and weather.

Have you discovered any abandoned places in Vermont lately that caught your eye? What other creepy places in Vermont can you think of? Share your thoughts and inquiries with us and post your pictures in the comments!

If you love exploring abandoned places, you'll need a good camera to take incredible videos. Check out this GoPro on Rei.com.

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Here’s The Story Behind The Unusual Architectural Feature You’ll Only Find In Vermont

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Get the latest updates and news

11 Abandoned Places In Vermont That Nature Is Reclaiming

1. The ski mountain equipment that hasn't been touched in years.

2. The earth is growing around this eerie old restaurant.

3. This spooky setting was left to decay outside an abandoned Vermont house in Pownal.

4. This rusty box car in Randolph.

5. This cabin that just needs a little bit of roof work...

6. The inside of the Hyde Manor.

7. This potentially haunted abandoned home in Vermont.

8. The lawn is taking over this old barn in Montgomery.

9. This part of Route 189 in South Burlington is clearly not in use anymore.

10. This rustic shack in St. Albans.

11. And this quarry in Dorset, which is actually quite beautiful in its ruins.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Hike the Newest Trail Through the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve for an Unforgettable Adventure

The 2.2-Mile Hiking Trail in Maine That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The 4.5-Mile Hiking Trail in Vermont Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The Best Pumpkin Donuts in Delaware Come From This Remote Farm

The 4.5-Mile Hiking Trail in Delaware That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland