Victorian-era doors and windows displayed in Ripon include, from left, a carved double-entryway door with screens for grand entrance; lead-glass windows with intricate pattern and colors; solid wood door with large beveled-glass window insert; and ornate double-window with arched top. 

A Small ornate window is visible atop a roofline.

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Victorian-era doors and windows displayed in Ripon include, from left, a carved double-entryway door with screens for grand entrance; lead-glass windows with intricate pattern and colors; solid wood door with large beveled-glass window insert; and ornate double-window with arched top. 

In 2020, the Ripon Historical Society published an article about the importance of porches built onto houses and public buildings during the Victorian Era (1837-1901).

It found that decorative windows and doors also were used for similar reasons. They serve as architectural details for visual appeal, reflect a home’s status and customization and make distinct impressions on visitors and admirers alike.

Ripon is fortunate to have examples of Victorian homes — many of which include ornate windows and doors that enhance their main building design.

Windows sometimes include diamond-shaped panes of glass or fancy colored glass made into patterns that are held together by lead metal framing.

Larger bay-box or bay windows with wood framing and other unique architectural motifs also sometimes mirror a building’s style, size and scale.

Interestingly, there once was a “window tax” in place that was levied and charged to homeowners based on the number and size of the windows in their house.

This tax started in England in the late 1600s and was adopted in other countries including the United States.

It was essentially part of a property tax that could be assessed by counting the number of windows on a building from the outside. The window tax could sometimes be as much as 30 to 50% of a home owner’s tax bill. In the early 1800s, the manufacturing of glass was greatly improved to include larger sheets or panels that were strong enough to be used in new construction — and more windows started being used in construction and buildings when this “window tax” was cut in half in 1832.

The window tax was completely repealed in 1851, when it was cited that windows were part of a healthier living by allowing more light and air into homes, causing the sale and use of large windows to explode in popularity almost overnight.

And many of the homes in Ripon began being built at this time, just as the window tax was being repealed

It also was during this time that Victorian living and lifestyles that started in England during the reign of Queen Victoria also took hold in other nations. Victorian-style homes in America flourished as architects and builders started emphasizing the grandeur of a home.

A Small ornate window is visible atop a roofline.

The homes primarily were targeted at the emerging middle-to-upper class and wealthiest families who were making money via the industrial revolution.

Everyone then started recognizing doors and windows as some of the most important parts of a home and property.

As focal points, doors and windows started to add charisma and structural appeal — and even became prized-decorative accessories for eclectic and all styles of housing.

Although Victoria-era people culturally were known as being more formal, prudish and repressed due to their strict societal manners and behaviors of their time, underneath it all they were also showoffs that sometimes secretly enjoyed calling attention to themselves through status symbols, housing, furniture and design accoutrements.

Painted entry way doors became more noticeable at this time through the use of colors calling attention to them. Pine or lesser-grade woodgrain doors were waxed with a warm paraffin to darken their tones to appear statelier and more expensive.

The use of glass was suddenly becoming more fanciful over doors, throughout entryways and as ornamentation above standard-paned glass windows.

These fancy designs were reflected in geometric shaped patterns and leaded-glass windows seen throughout historic Ripon neighborhoods.

Inspired by pictorial scenes and patterns seen in leaded-glass window artistry throughout the churches of Europe and America, Victorian homeowners commissioned leaded-glass artists to design one-of-a-kind or unique windows for their personal homes. A sign of wealth and abundance, leaded-glass designs were created to leave a unique and memorable first-impression on family members, friends and visitors.

People probably have heard the cliche or saying, “stop and smell the roses along the way?”

This really means to be attentive and in the moment.

All of this said, let’s stop and notice the beautiful Victorian doors and windows on older homes throughout Ripon.

Their details, patterns, designs and materials are as unique and beautiful today as they were one 150-plus years ago.

Architectural elements or components from buildings and houses that were razed, salvaged or saved fanciful and leaded-glass Victorian windows also command high prices on the antiques and vintage decor markets for use in any home.

The Ripon Historical Society is the oldest continually operating historical society in Wisconsin. It is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information follow us at Facebook/riponhistory or www.riponhistory.org

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