Posted on January 20, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT Mary Howe Baker (1900 – 1965) Harvard Observatory women astronomical computers 39 Cape Bial Lane, Westport Point Mary Howe, the daughter of Louis McHenry Howe and Grace Hartley, was born in Fall River, Ma. on June 4, 1900. Her parents were close friends with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 20, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT Christina B. Allen (1823-1909) “always giving thanks” 2031 Main Road, Westport Point Christina was the daughter of William Allen and Phebe Tripp and was born in Westport. She had 8 siblings who married local people so she had many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was deeply religious and very tied to […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 17, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
This exquisite model of the Kate Cory was recently donated to the Westport Historical Society. Learn more about it from the modelmaker Tom Schmitt in this short video:
Continue ReadingPosted on December 6, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
Two Rivers of Resistance By David C. Cole[1] During the Revolutionary War the South Coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were largely controlled by the British Navy which had local headquarters in Newport and patrolled the length of Buzzards Bay. The British assault on Dartmouth in September 1778, that included raids on settlements and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 6, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
Next time you drive along John Reed Road to the beach, listen for the rumbling echoes of the agitated voices of Westporters from the 1890s who felt “swindled” by the man after whom the road is named, John M. Reed. The layout of John Reed Road (originally known as Horse Neck or […]
Continue ReadingPosted on November 18, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
A collection of images of Westport Point, late 1800s, showing dredging of the Harbor, Main Road, the old Point bridge and the bridge to Masquasatch.
Continue ReadingPosted on September 3, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
A collection of materials relating to the history of Westport skiffs and boat builders such as Fred Hart, George Hart and Jim Vaughan as well as Scott Gifford’s Macomber 15 skiff. Donated by Howie Gifford 2024.023
Continue ReadingPosted on August 2, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
A collection of photographs of Westport Point, Horseneck Beach, Remington’s Clambake donated by Edith Camara.
Continue ReadingPosted on July 2, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
Volunteer opportunity Are you looking for a challenging and educational volunteer opportunity? The Westport Historical Society seeks a team of volunteers to transcribe the contents of the Henry Smith journal. Volunteers will transcribe the handwritten pages of this journal and will explore the themes of local history that will be illuminated during this project. Much […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 29, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
By Jenny O’Neill A most exotic and little-known aspect of Westport’s agricultural history is the activity known as “sericulture” — the production of silk, the rearing of silkworms, and the cultivation of mulberry trees. The story remains incomplete and somewhat fragmented, with strands found within correspondence and journals chronicling the lives of the Macomber family of Central Village. […]
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