Posted on September 9, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
The following paper was written by Peter Innes following his internship at Westport Historical Society, during the spring semester 2009. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tremendous change occurred within the Westport Public School system. This change occurred gradually and not without opposition, but ultimately was the result of not only a better […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 21, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
Baby Boomers to Gen Z July 13, 2019 10 AM – 4 PM Handy House 202 Hix Bridge Road, Westport FREE! Do you remember rotary phones, typewriters and Jiffy Pop? Join us at the Handy House with your grandchildren, younger friends, or family members for a special day of activities designed to encourage sharing and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 14, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
Westport Historical Society Collection 2000.205.001 The Macomber Family of Central Village Hand Written By Marianna Macomber Typed By Margaret (Macomber) Douglas in 1970 (Miss. Marianna Macomber Passed Away in the 1960’s) FACTS, HEARSAY AND MEMORIES It is quite possible that nobody will care to read what I am writing, but yet it may be of […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 30, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
Penny and Alton Hadfield Collection WHS 2019.024 We recently received a collection of 178 photographs of Westport scenes taken in 1962. The collection was created by Penny Hadfield as part of a graduate course on urban/suburban growth and development in the Geography Department of Boston University. “I had to take the bus down from Boston […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 26, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
The powder house was built c. 1812 by a town military brigade called into existence by the War of 1812. It was probably used as a “magazine” rather than a powder house, housing “home guard” stores of shot. Its first site was on the lot where 51 Drift Road now sits. Later it moved behind […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 20, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
Posted on February 13, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
Sometimes it is the most obscure of stories that can shine fresh light on the enormity of historical events. This small newspaper article found inside a scrapbook of Second World War clippings, chronicles the heroic deeds of Tarzan, a handsome German Shepherd from Forge Road, who was one of thousands of dogs given by their […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 23, 2019 by Jenny ONeill
On June 20, 1925, the Old Dartmouth Historical Society again visited the Hix Bridge area, as it had in 1912. Seated under the trees at the Handy house as guests of its owners, Mr. & Mrs. Abbott P. Smith, the society was first addressed by its president, George H. Tripp, and then heard a paper […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 18, 2018 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Ruby Devol Finch (1804 – 1866) is considered to be “one of the most uniquely creative female American folk artists of her time” (Donald R. Walters, “Ruby Devol Finch, Recent Discoveries,” Antiques and Fine Art Magazine 2012). However, with only 15 known works, it is not surprising that she remains somewhat obscure. Yet her […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 14, 2018 by Jenny ONeill
Voices, some of which have not been heard for many decades, will once again come to life! A project to preserve and provide access to interviews conducted in 1976 is moving forward with assistance from a Community Preservation Act grant. During Westport’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1976, oral histories were obtained from numerous residents. Many of […]
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