Copper Blog

Weathervanes have been in use for more than 3,500 years. They are believed to have originated in Mesopotamia, but historians have also found evidence of use of tools to read wind direction in early Chinese writings. The first real weathervane was built by Andronicus for the Tower of the Winds in the first century B.C. The tower's weathervane was erected in the likeness of the Greek god Triton, since the people believed he controlled the weather. Similar weathervanes were eventually added to homes throughout Greece and Rome.

Several centuries later, the Vikings used weathervanes atop their buildings. In the ninth century B.C., the Pope directed all Catholic churches to be topped by a statue of a rooster in remembrance of Peter's denial of Christ. These statues were eventually combined with weathervanes to form the animal-topped weathervanes we commonly see today.

Shortly after the Revolutionary War ended, weathervanes made their debut in the United States. The country's first president George Washington requested that a weathervane be added to his Mount Vernon home. Other patriotic figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Paul Revere also had weathervanes on their houses. A notable weathervane in the U.S. is the grasshopper weathervane that adorns Boston's Fanueil Hall, which was constructed in 1742. That vane (with repairs) has lasted for more than 250 years of American history.

One reason the grasshopper weathervane has been so durable is that it was made from copper. Copper weathervanes were the common style manufactured during the mid to late 1700s in America. Copper has long-lasting quality. This is a main reason for its popularity.  The metal is both durable and decorative, making it a great choice for constructing weathervanes.

Homeowners that are interested in purchasing a copper weathervane should make sure that the vane is made of solid copper. Some modern weathervanes may only be covered with copper. Crescent City Copper is one of many copper retailers that specializes in copper weathervanes for residential use. Crescent City Copper also offers a unique range of tabletop weathervanes.

Image c/o: Crescent City Copper