Posted on December 13, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Westport farmer, Frederick Allen kept a journal. This section chronicles his voyage on the Mexico. April, 1837 Buys articles for voyage, including 5 lbs. of tobacco; Ships out of Westport on the Brig Mexico; Sails south, encountering strong gales. Saturday, April 1, 1837. Morning rainy ◄ SE. Afternoon fair ◄ NW. Most of the […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 10, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Posted on June 17, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
I often think about the following account of an encounter with three runaway slaves near Hix Bridge when I drive across the bridge. It is easy to picture them making their way down Hix Bridge Road towards the safety of New Bedford, probably passing by the Handy House on their way to cross the bridge. […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 27, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Jim Pierce interviewed by Mary Giles
Continue ReadingPosted on April 20, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
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 […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 9, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Written by Betty Slade, 2021 This is the story about John Stevens, an African man who came to America in the mid-19th century not as a slave but as a free man, married a Native woman and raised a family in Westport Point. He arrived just before the Civil War in Westport Point, Massachusetts. He […]
Continue ReadingPosted on March 4, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Written by Jenny O’Neill and Betty Slade It is striking how many women have been leaders in the effort to preserve Westport’s history. This series of profiles celebrates the contribution made by Westport women towards historic preservation, whether through documentation, education, building restoration, artistic expression, writings, and activism. A common thread that links many of […]
Continue ReadingPosted on March 1, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
We are so pleased to be able to share a celebratory bell ringing with our community. (Thank you to Merri Cyr for creating this wonderful video.) The Westport Historical Society gratefully recognizes the generous support provided by a Community Preservation Act grant for the restoration of the tower and roof, and the restoration of […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 9, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
The Importance of the “The Country” Blueberries The Animals Driving Mom, the Great Organizer Baseball The Gardens Springtime The Elders Up on the Hill GaGa’s Medicine The Radio Monday’s The Flag The Wainer Stories The Farmhouses The Graves The Stone The Well The Ancestors About the Author The Farm was known as the Wainer Farm […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 14, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
Have you ever noticed the large, slightly battered sign “Handy Hill Crossing” sitting at the intersection of Main Road and Handy Hill? It marks the location close by of Handy Hill Creamery, well known to all of us as well as the Handy Hill diner, recently removed from the site. It also marks the location […]
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