Uncategorized Archives - Page 3 of 13 - Westport Historical Society

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Risky Business: Following the threads of Westport’s short-lived silkworm enterprise

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

Handy House Artist-in-residence: Discover the lost art of cyanotypes!

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

Bob Pierce, Life on the Westport River

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! ’38 ’54 ’91

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 […]

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Almira Davis Gifford Lauterbach (1911-2002) 2037 Main Road, Westport Point

WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT Almira Davis Gifford Lauterbach (1911-2002) 2037 Main Road, Westport Point ALMIRA REMEMBERS By Betty Slade Last fall, a lady named Almira Davis Gifford stopped Doris Magovern (who lived at 2038 Main Road) in front of our house at 2037 Main Road and told her she “was born in this house […]

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Suzanne Paull Carter (1921-2016)

WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT Suzanne Paull Carter (1921- 2016) A “Martha Stewart” of her day 2043 Main Road, Westport Point A memory by Susanne Carter Peck My mother spent almost every summer of her life in Westport from a very young age. My father’s military commitments kept her from returning to stay for some […]

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Sarah Pamelia Perry Tripp (1913 – 2001)

WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT Sarah Pamelia Perry Tripp (1913 – 2001) 1903-1905 Main Road, Westport Point Generous and hard-working A remembrance by Richard Tripp I know Sarah was not great and influential in spectacular ways, but she was almost pioneer-like to me, always gentle, giving, wise, and strong. Sarah Pamelia Perry was born […]

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

Ray Davoll on the Fagowie

Ray Davoll “Rum dum” Westport MA lobster fisherman, as remembered by Russell Walters and Richie Earle, 2024

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT: Mercy Etta Baker: Artist, Poet, and Inventor

Mercy Etta Baker (1876-1957) 1998 Main Road Westport Point Artist, poet, inventor, would-be developer of Horseneck Beach The life, art and poetry of Mercy Etta Baker were intertwined with the natural beauty of her Westport Point home and Horseneck Beach, a large tract of which was owned by her family. She is known for her […]

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Jenny ONeill

The Russell Walters Collection: Lobstering, scalloping, and more

This collection includes photos of Hurricane Bob, 1954 hurricane, information on The Prelude Lobster Company, boatbuilding, The Angela, scalloping, lobstering, and an article on Richie Earle. 2024.014 A brief history of the Westport lobster fishery, some of the families involved and the effects on the community and the fishery. Russ Hart, 2006 Starting back in […]