The Hubbard-Varney House, in Manchester, NH, is an example of how architectural features like towers could be both aesthetic and functional – helping with cooling off in the Victorian age.
In hot weather, opening the tower windows and first floor windows in the evening would create a natural draft up through the house, pulling cooler air in below and venting hot air out at the top. Both the movement of air over skin and the lower temperature of the incoming air would have a cooling effect on people in the house. Closing the windows in the morning would slow how quickly the interior warmed up during the day. Closing shades and drapes on the sunny sides of the house would help even more. It wasn’t air conditioning, but it was cooling, and free!
Built in 1867 for Thomas R. Hubbard, owner of a local lumber yard and a mill producing wooden window sashes, doors, and window blinds. The house is a classic Italianate villa style house of the period with a tower tucked into the corner of its T-shaped plan. It has been beautifully restored.
Italianate is one of 25 styles described and illustrated with multiple images in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
The award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book is available in bookstores and from online retailers. Signed and personalized copies are available directly from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Want to learn more about historic house styles? “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester, is the classic volume on the subject and is available in our shop with other select restoration and preservation titles. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
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