Posted on December 28, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
The best-known citizen of Westport is Paul Cuffe, a master mariner with African and Indian roots who rose to prominence as a captain, ship-builder, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for civil rights and school integration. Less well known is Pardon Cook, also an accomplished master mariner from Westport, who commanded more whaling voyages than any other […]
Continue ReadingPosted on June 26, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
I knew Gooseberry was a popular place, but I really didn’t expect such a turn out. What fun! And so many of you had some wonderful things to add about Gooseberry conveying facts and flavor that were wonderful to hear. Link to slideshow The preceding includes an embedded link to the wonderful David Sprogis drone […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 17, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
The recent Now picture was taken at the top of the boat ramp at Hix Bridge. You will note the house on the right in the background on Drift Rd appears in both the Then and Now photos. The cape to the south of the first house in the Then photo is blocked by trees […]
Continue ReadingPosted on March 13, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
Cadmans Neck, Westport MA in the 1930s from Westport Historical Society on Vimeo.
Continue ReadingPosted on March 13, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
Listen to a recording of this presentation: Westport native Edward Davoll learned whaling at 18, made captain by 25, and appeared to be on his way to a successful career. But some bad luck and a downturn in the whaling industry in the 1850s, coupled with his disillusionment with life at sea, led him to […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 22, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
Recent intensive research on many matters relating to Paul Cuffe and his family has produced some interesting new insights into his life as well as that of other family members. Some of the highlights of this research are the following: Greater certainty as to the timing and people involved in freeing Cuff Slocum, Paul Cuffe’s […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 8, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
How did Westport weather the Blizzard of February 1978?
Continue ReadingPosted on January 13, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
This collection of photo albums contains images of Horseneck Beach, East Beach, Main Road, and other areas of Westport MA, 1900 – 1940s. Surfside on East Beach Saw mill on Sanford Road, Westport MA An old uncovered shipwreck on Baker’s Beach, 1931. John W. Duffy Jr, left, Paul Duffy, right. Unidentified […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 12, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
A remarkably short-lived newspaper, March 1947 to August 1947, also remarkably costly at 25 cents per issue! Articles focus on concerns about traffic jams on Main Road, the dump at Horseneck Beach, and development of “Horseneck Village” by the Horseneck Beach Development Co. Plans for Horseneck included “leveling the dunes to make cottage sites and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 5, 2016 by Jenny ONeill