What Is a Widow’s Walk? The Answer Isn’t as Sad as You Might Think

Photo courtesy of Fletcher6 / Creative Commons

A widow’s walk isn’t a sad scene from a funeral. It actually has to do with an architectural feature found on many 19th-century North American homes along the coast. Also known as a roof walk or widow’s watch, it is an iconic feature of coastal homes, like those found in Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. For lovers of antique homes, the widow’s walk is definitely not something to cry about.

“’Widow’s walk’ is an architectural term for a rooftop terrace area enclosed with railings that became popular during the height of the whaling industry in New England,” says Gerard Splendore, a broker with Coldwell Banker Warburg in New York.

The architectural feature is still popular with New England homes today and is cherished for its character, intrigue, and the potential stories older homes may harbor.

What is a widow’s walk?

Also known as a viewing platform, a widow’s walk has a long and interesting history dating to the 1800s.

“Back when these were very popular, many people were in the whaling industry, an industry that made a lot of money,” says Janen Ardia of Re/Max Heritage Properties in Flanders, NJ. “Some of these whalers decided to build onto their house a flat area on the roof that had a railing around it. Sometimes it was wrought iron, sometimes it was wood.”

The architecture is said to be inspired by the cupolas of Italianate architecture. The structures were built on the roof of the house on a platform and include a railing. Original widow’s walks incorporated an internal stairwell.

“Widow’s walks are outside extensions of homes located by the ocean. We often find them in New England, New Jersey, and Connecticut,” says Hilary Rovins, a broker for Coldwell Banker Warburg in New York.

Why it’s called a widow’s walk

The widow’s walk, also known as a captain’s walk or captain’s watch, has a lot of romanticism tied to the structure, but it may have more practical uses.

“The widow’s walk, usually on the roof level, was where the wife, left at home by her sailor husband, could scan the ocean horizon in the hope of seeing his ship returning to harbor,” says Frederick Warburg Peters, president and broker of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Of course, many of those ships did not return, hence the name.”

But many historians believe it actually was designed for putting out fires, since house fires were common during the period. So the widow’s walk would house buckets of sand or water, if needed, to pour down the chimney to put out fires. It is also believed that many captains and sailors liked having the view on their homes to always look out toward the ocean.

What it’s actually used for

Whether poetic or practical, the original purpose of the widow’s walk changed over the years.

“They were eventually seen as a status symbol and were built for ambiance,” says Ardia. “In the 1900s, these widow walks were being built on homes, even far from the coastline, for a symbol of status and wealth. People believed that homes with widow’s walks housed people who made or had a lot of money.”

The feature is still very popular throughout New England and elsewhere, but you won’t find a widow waiting on the rooftop peering into the distant sea.

“Today, the terrace, enclosed with a railing, may be used for stargazing, sunbathing, reading, or entertaining,” says Splendore.

The appeal of a home with a widow’s walk today

Architectural styles and tastes change over the years. However, some homebuyers may specifically seek out homes with a widow’s walk.

“There are some people who love antique homes. They want a New England style, a Victorian style, or an older home,” says Ardia. “So, the appeal today would be for somebody who just loves that coastal mariner look and wants to stay authentic.”

A home with a widow’s walk may be for homebuyers who love the romanticism behind the architectural style or appreciate the look.

“Devotees of historical accuracy, or who crave authenticity in a coastal home, would be thrilled to purchase a home with a widow’s walk, just as they would swoon over original ‘wavy’ glass window panes, pegged heart-of-pine floors and slate roof shingles,” says Splendore.

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