Tour shines light on stained glass in old Newport

Residents of Newport's East Row Historic District will shine their interior lights on some of the region's oldest and finest stained glass windows during a first-time tour next Saturday, Oct. 15.

And one of the night's stars will be a 125-year-old window known as Sailor Girl.

While her Gorton's-like captain reclines beside her, the doll-faced girl in the blue dress and bonnet steers through choppy waters like a seasoned seaman.

These days, Sailor Girl can be seen in Newport. But for the first 20 or so years of her life, she lived elsewhere at some unknown location.

Those who take the self-guided Stained Glass Walking Tour will learn about each window they see, including the fact that the glasswork style of Sailor Girl was out of fashion when her house was built in 1906. That means she was crafted about 20 years earlier.

Tour takers will learn that the man who built Sailor Girl's home, Edward Schwarberg, worked for G.C. Riordan & Company.

Founded in 1838 in downtown Cincinnati, Riordan created many of Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati's stained glass windows. Today, it is one of the nation's oldest stained glass window companies, manufacturing as BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studios in Middletown.

Several tour homes were originally owned by notable historic figures: Gen. James Taylor, the founder of Newport; George S. Wiedemann Jr., superintendent of the infamous George Wiedemann Brewing Company launched by his father in 1870; and Barney Kroger, who founded the Kroger Co. in 1883.

Participating churches and residents will back-light their stained glass windows, but the buildings will not be open to tourists.

The event, which benefits the East Row Historic District's restoration efforts, will start at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary, Sixth and Monroe streets.

Window expert Terry Rasche will talk about the history, design and artistry of decorative glass. A wine reception with hors d'oeuvres will be held at the Sanctuary from 8:30 to 11 p.m.