Brown, director of York's graduate Art History program, isn't kidding when she says "lurking" at night is the best way to find good examples of stained glass in city neighbourhoods.

"You know you're likely to find high-quality glass in buildings like hospitals, churches or court houses," she says. But what about private houses? Lots of them have it, but the only way to really see it is by walking the streets and looking in windows."

Many private Victorian and Edwardian-era homes had fine stained glass courtesy of the Arts & Crafts movement. For the first time it appeared as decoration in middle-class residences. For the Victorians it provided both privacy (houses being close together) and visual ornament. "Looking at stained glass is preferable to staring at brick walls and pipes," points out Brown.

What steps have we taken to preserve our glass? "We're way behind the US and Britain," says Brown. "I'm the only organization like this in Canada, and the sole staff. In Britain, they've got whole departments!"

Photo: Susan King