Posted on December 7, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
In the latter part of the 19th century, two wealthy men from Brooklyn NY bought land and built large houses and outbuildings at Westport Point, Massachusetts. They were the Hall and Southard families and their estates ran from Main Road to the West Branch of the Westport River, just north of the village. The Rev. […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 5, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
By Mark Allen Ever since I was a child, my family played a game while heading down the American Legion Highway. Surely you’re familiar with it, and if not, it’s a fun tradition to start. Without fail, every time we drive through the few dozen feet between Westport and Tiverton, we hold our breath through […]
Continue ReadingPosted on August 23, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Explaining the spatter-painted floors of the Handy House. Many visitors to the Handy House ask about the spatter-painted wood floors. Showcasing a variety of colors — ochre, grey, dark blue, brown, and mustard yellow — the floors are reminiscent of Jackson Pollock-style abstract art. For those with imagination, some floors could almost be images of […]
Continue ReadingPosted on June 28, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
The oddly named “Parade of Horribles” (also known as Antiques and Horribles) was a traditional feature of Independence Day festivities in 19th century New England. As suggested by the name, it describes a procession of a comically strange nature. Westport held its own version of such a parade, calling it a “parade of Antiques, Horribles […]
Continue ReadingPosted on June 7, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
“I was free, but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.” Attributed to Harriet Tubman What was the moment of becoming free like for enslaved African Americans? Emancipation provoked a wide range of emotions, all of which are conveyed within a short […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 15, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Forgotten Rite of Spring Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, were hung on a neighbor’s door as a gift. It was a May time tradition that celebrated life in a close-knit community, neighborly familiarity and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 14, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
After crisscrossing the country from Westport to Alaska and back again, an extraordinary collection of materials relating to the history of North Westport has arrived at the Westport Historical Society. The Sherman family collection includes deeds, correspondence, photographs, maps, and journals that will significantly enrich our understanding of the far northern parts of Westport in […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 6, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
If you have driven by the Bell School in recent weeks, you may have noticed some significant activity is taking place. This project marks the beginning of a multi-phase effort to address structural weaknesses and to transform the Bell School into a resource that is more relevant to the community of Westport and better suited […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 9, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Written by Jenny O’Neill, Executive Director, Westport Historical Society 2022 What is the significance of this handwoven mat made in Newfoundland to the history of Westport? Named after Sir Wilfred Grenfell, a British doctor known for his humanitarian work among the fishermen of northern Newfoundland and Labrador, these Grenfell hooked mats have become prominent […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 3, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Can you imagine the life of Paul Cuffe? Ray Shaw, a Westport resident and graphic artist, uses watercolor sketches to help visualize the past. His graphite and loose watercolor ‘storybook’ style challenges the viewer to use their imagination to interpret a given subject.
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