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Extracts of Matters of Historical Interest from "The Huissier, News For and About the Fortress of Louisbourg Heritage Presentation Staff" By The Fortress of Louisbourg Heritage Presentation Staff

THE HUISSIER

(August 25, 2003)

Susann Myers, FOL Restoration Architect offered the following in response to a question asked by a visitor about the panes of glass found in many of our reconstructed buildings.

Dear Tamara:

Your question about the windows at the Fortress of Louisbourg has been forwarded to me to answer.

The majority of windows at Louisbourg in the 18th century were glazed, including windows in government-owned residences, guardhouses and barracks, and privately owned residences. Openings in some outbuildings and storehouses were protected only with exterior wooden shutters, without glazed window sash.

Window glass in the first half of the 18th century was all hand-blown, either as cylinder glass (a long cylinder blown, then cut and flattened) or as crown glass (a large bubble blown then expanded into a flat disc). Plate glass manufacture, which allowed production of large sheets of glass, was not developed until the 19th century. Common sizes of glass at the Fortress of Louisbourg were 7 by 8 pouces (approximately 7-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches) and 6 by 7 pouces. The glass was manufactured in France and shipped to Louisbourg, where it was assembled into wooden window sash that were made here. The most common window type at Louisbourg was the 12-pane casement window, arranged either singly or in pairs. The small panes of glass were separated and supported in the sash by wooden muntin bars.

I hope that this provides the information you require.

Sincerely,
Susann Myers

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