Collection spotlight Archives - Westport Historical Society

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Westport Point images

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.

Posted 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

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Jenny ONeill

Gleanings from the Past

Fragments of Westport’s History Preserved in Scrapbooks The Westport Historical Society’s scrapbook collection includes more than 30 volumes, amounting to more than 1000 pages. Many of the scrapbooks have been digitized for easy access via our online collections database. The collection provides a valuable miscellany of local news, spanning a timeframe from the late 1800’s […]

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jenny ONeill

Sherman Collection: A North Westport treasure trove of history

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 […]

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Jenny ONeill

Jessie Luther: Artist, Teacher, Pioneer

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 […]

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Jenny ONeill

Westport Town Farm Photo Gallery

Westport Town Farm 830 Drift Road, Westport MA Photography by David Allen, 2008 “From the buildings themselves to what artifacts may be left behind, there is a sense of lives lived. Narratives are suggested and the ephemeral nature of life and death is felt. These incremental photographic slices seek to explore the fluid, always changing […]

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Jenny ONeill

George Sisson Civil War letters

We share a recent discovery of letters written by George F. Sisson during his service as a private in the 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. For towns in Northern states such as Westport, the impact of the Civil War was felt most keenly through the personal experiences of soldiers and the human cost of lives […]

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Jenny ONeill

Westport’s Poetic History: In Celebration of National Poetry Month

Local history research can lead to some unexpected discoveries. What began as an effort to highlight some poetry found in the Westport Historical Society’s collection, has led to a deeper exploration into the history of Westport’s cultural past. Westport’s seclusion and natural beauty has served to attract, inspire and rejuvenate artists and writers for […]

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Jenny ONeill

An Historic Sketch of Coxet and the Richmond Family by Henry B. Worth

This study of the early history of the Westport Harbor / Acoaxet region of Westport, bordering Little Compton was written in 1907 by local historian Henry B. Worth. It includes information about: “Isaac Alderman” a Native American preacher Daniel Wilcox Native Americans: Jonotus and Sue Codimonk, Sam Pacachus Sylvester Richmond Asa Howland Places: Stephen’s Neck […]

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Jenny ONeill

A Westporter at the Panama Canal

From our intern Mark Allen The Panama Canal is one of the greatest achievements in American ingenuity, and serves as the perfect symbol of an entire era of our politics. Despite the moral quandaries one might have with how we procured the land (starting a revolution in a sovereign nation and all), the Panama Canal […]