Posted on December 6, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Two Rivers of Resistance By David C. Cole[1]   During the Revolutionary War the South Coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were largely controlled by the British Navy which had local headquarters in Newport and patrolled the length of Buzzards Bay. The British assault on Dartmouth in September 1778, that included raids on settlements and […]

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Next time you drive along John Reed Road to the beach, listen for the rumbling echoes of the agitated voices of Westporters from the 1890s who felt “swindled” by the man after whom the road is named, John M. Reed.        The layout of John Reed Road (originally known as Horse Neck or […]

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

A collection of photographs of Westport Point, Horseneck Beach, Remington’s Clambake donated by Edith Camara.

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Volunteer opportunity Are you looking for a challenging and educational volunteer opportunity?  The Westport Historical Society seeks a team of volunteers to transcribe the contents of the Henry Smith journal. Volunteers will transcribe the handwritten pages of this journal and will explore the themes of local history that will be illuminated during this project. Much […]

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

By Jenny O’Neill A most exotic and little-known aspect of Westport’s agricultural history is the activity known as “sericulture” — the production of silk, the rearing of silkworms, and the cultivation of mulberry trees. The story remains incomplete and somewhat fragmented, with strands found within correspondence and journals chronicling the lives of the Macomber family of Central Village. […]

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Make your own cyanotype! Pre-register to attend a workshop at the Handy House, 202 Hix Bridge Road, Westport MA: 10 AM – 12 PM Wednesday July 10 Cyanotype workshop  Pre-register HERE for July 10 10 AM -12 PM Wednesday August 14 Cyanotype workshop Pre-register HERE for August 14   Westport Historical Society’s Handy House will […]

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

  Life on the Westport River, Westport MA in the 1950s/1960s/1970s Bob Pierce with Richie Earle and Russell Walters May 2024 Topics discussed: Eel fishing off Donovans Lane Cold winters Ice skating on the river Best time to catch eels was in winter when the water was still cold Warmer weather made eels more oily […]

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Hurricane! 1938, 1954, 1991 Handy House 202 Hix Bridge Road, Westport MA 10 AM – 1 PM Wednesdays/Saturdays June 26 – September 21, 2024 An exhibition of three historic Westport hurricanes Climate extremes have been a daily topic in recent years. This exhibition will look back at the impact of the Hurricane of 1938, Hurricane […]