Posted on May 29, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
The First Tractor In 1921 Julius T. Smith (Turtle Rock Farm) bought one of the first tractors to be used on a Westport farm. The Fordson tractor was invented for a man “with a strong back and a weak head. We always took a monkey grip on the handle when we cranked the tractor, otherwise […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 29, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
This commemorative handkerchief from the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition depicts the source of seeds that created Westport’s Macomber turnip. Westport can lay claim to its very own vegetable, the Macomber turnip. In 1876 Adin (1845-1915) and Elihu Macomber (1846-1933) ventured to the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where they procured some seeds. The brothers planted the seed on […]
Continue ReadingPosted on May 28, 2025 by Jenny ONeill
Macomber fowls / “Tripps Yaller Hens” / Rhode Island Red Have you ever heard of the Macomber fowl? By Richard Gifford Westport farmer John Macomber played an important role in the breeding of the Rhode Island Red, “an egg laying machine.” He swapped hens with Little Compton farmer William Tripp, and successfully bred “an […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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 […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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 […]
Continue ReadingPosted on August 2, 2024 by Jenny ONeill
A collection of photographs of Westport Point, Horseneck Beach, Remington’s Clambake donated by Edith Camara.
Continue ReadingPosted 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 […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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. […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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 […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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 […]
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