Posted on December 26, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

Various local history publications have alluded to the legend that Captain Kidd buried his treasure on Liniken Island (for example, The Village at Westport Point  by Katherine Hall and Mary Sowle). It’s easy to dismiss this story as historical fiction, but the recent discovery of an 1888 Boston Globe article casts new light on this […]

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

In the wake of the recently released movie “Barbie,” it seems timely to highlight another well-known toy — one with Westport connections — whose creator found inspiration at the annual Westport Friends book sale and Grundy’s Hardware Store (now known as Ace Hardware). The concept of this action figure was synthesized by the mind of […]

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

Hurricane! Exhibition of images at the Westport Free Public Library February/March 2024 Climate extremes have been a daily topic this year. We will look back at the impact of hurricanes on Westport by marking the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Carol with a special exhibition in February/March at the Westport Library. This exhibition will feature images […]

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

The isolated cluster of houses at the end of Main Road has been home to whaling captains, fishermen, and farmers. Their names are recorded on the plaques that adorn each house. But, the Point was also home to their wives, mothers, and daughters. Moreover, in the 20th century, it attracted some remarkable female artists, writers, […]

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

Open for the month of October! Don’t miss the Handy House Halloween Trail, open every day dawn to dusk during the month of October Find Dr. Handy’s magical ravens and break the evil spell The Wicked Witch of Westport has placed a frightening spell on Dr. Handy’s ravens. They have flown from the attic and […]

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

This page highlights information, photographs and video relating to Westport’s Swordfish Boat Captains and Fish Spotter Pilots Enjoy stories and memories as recounted by Westport’s swordfish boat captains and the pilots of the planes that spotted swordfish: Everett Mills, Grant Moore, Jimmy King, Paul Brayton, Richie Earle, and  Howie Gifford. “The swordfish are in when the […]

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

Do you have an old house ghost story to share? Old House Ghost Stories 6 PM Tuesday October 24, 2023 at Davoll’s General Store 1228 Russells Mills Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 02748 Do you have a story to tell about a spooky occurrence in your old house? Join us for a storytelling event to celebrate […]

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

A guided tour of the exhibition Bonnets, Bustles, and Bloomers    

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

This page will be used to document the history of Westport’s two Granges. Westport Historical Society and Westport Grange #181 are digging into the history of the Grange (both Westport Grange #181 on Main Road and the Watuppa Grange #365 on Old Bedford Road). In the early 20th century, these two organizations were significant community […]

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Jenny ONeill

This page will focus on information gathered for the following event: French Canadian Families of Westport and Dartmouth Get-Together 10 AM Saturday August 5, 2023 Handy House, 202 Hix Bridge Road, Westport MA Westport Historical Society and Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society invite those with French Canadian roots to gather for an informal discussion and […]