American Renaissance stained glass of the 800 and 900 blocks of West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia

This thesis studies windows, domes and skylights from the late nineteenth century in houses on West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia (houses now owned by Virginia Commonwealth University). A catalog of every art glass window found on these blocks is accompanied by an introduction describing the evolution of stained glass in the United States. Also included is a discussion of possible makers of stained glass in the Richmond area at the turn of the nineteenth century and conservation work being done to selected windows owned by VCU. Problems arise when trying to attribute pre-twentieth century windows to known designers and makers of stained glass. Art glass windows are rarely signed in the nineteenth century. Dating windows is also a problem. Without some documentation, in the form of sales receipts or period photographs, there is no way to date a stained glass window.