Posted on March 13, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
Film footage of Cadmans Neck, Westport River, Hix Bridge pre and post Hurricane of 1938
Cadmans Neck, Westport MA in the 1930s from Westport Historical Society on Vimeo.
Continue ReadingPosted on February 8, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
The Blizzard of 1978 in Westport
How did Westport weather the Blizzard of February 1978?
Continue ReadingPosted on January 13, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
Photo Album
This collection of photo albums contains images of Horseneck Beach, East Beach, Main Road, and other areas of Westport MA, 1900 – 1940s. Surfside on East Beach Saw mill on Sanford Road, Westport MA An old uncovered shipwreck on Baker’s Beach, 1931. John W. Duffy Jr, left, Paul Duffy, right. Unidentified […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 12, 2017 by Jenny ONeill
The Seasider
A remarkably short-lived newspaper, March 1947 to August 1947, also remarkably costly at 25 cents per issue! Articles focus on concerns about traffic jams on Main Road, the dump at Horseneck Beach, and development of “Horseneck Village” by the Horseneck Beach Development Co. Plans for Horseneck included “leveling the dunes to make cottage sites and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on August 8, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Westport Harbor Waltzes
Westport Harbor Waltzes Sheet music photocopy, new & revised edition to the Westport Harbor Dramatic Club: Westport Harbor Waltzes for Piano, by Frank C. Rodman. Copyright 1903. Pr. 60¢. Boston, C. W. Thompson & Co. 13 West Street. Includes “Hooligan Barn Dance” on back, by W. S. Harvey. Frank Rodman was very close with Lucy […]
Continue ReadingPosted on August 5, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
The daybooks of Doctor Ely and Doctor James Handy
We are very fortunate to have in our collection the daybooks of Ely Handy (1763-1812) and his son James Handy (1792-1868), both of whom practiced medicine in Westport MA. The books which date from 1790 – 1830, record the names of those who were treated and provide a fascinating glimpse into 19th century medicine. […]
Continue ReadingPosted on July 14, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
The Curious Case of the Concealed Shoes
Have you ever found old shoes hidden in odd locations in your house? If so, your discovery may be evidence of a mysterious worldwide superstitious practice. A recent donation of a collection of ancient shoes focused our attention on this strange practice of concealing shoes in buildings. This collection of shoes was discovered in a […]
Continue ReadingPosted on July 13, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Photo album of cyanotypes
A wonderful recent donation of a photo album with cyanotypes, mostly of Horseneck and other Westport areas. This album belonged to Ella Hargraves Lawton, maternal grandmother of Janet Rodgers. Brother: Robert Elkanah Lawton. They were brought up on a farm in Westport.
Continue ReadingPosted on January 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Dartmouth and Westport Electric Railroad
Dartmouth and Westport Electric Railroad, a passenger line that connected the commercial cities of Fall River and New Bedford, with an important stop at Westport Factory and Lincoln Park. Etta Allen Palmer: “I could drive my horse up to Route 6, and then get on the trolley and take it to Fall River, and then […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Hi-Way Casino
Hi-Way Casino, Route 6 Westport, one of Westport’s more glamorous nightclubs of the 1930s-50s. Located between Fall River and New Bedford. Largest night club in new England. Seating 1200 people with private banquet hall. Known for fine floor shows. Owned and operated by Henry O. Gaudreau. Among the many popular jazz bands that played the […]
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