Posted on April 15, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Forgotten Rite of Spring Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, were hung on a neighbor’s door as a gift. It was a May time tradition that celebrated life in a close-knit community, neighborly familiarity and […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 14, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
After crisscrossing the country from Westport to Alaska and back again, an extraordinary collection of materials relating to the history of North Westport has arrived at the Westport Historical Society. The Sherman family collection includes deeds, correspondence, photographs, maps, and journals that will significantly enrich our understanding of the far northern parts of Westport in […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 6, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
If you have driven by the Bell School in recent weeks, you may have noticed some significant activity is taking place. This project marks the beginning of a multi-phase effort to address structural weaknesses and to transform the Bell School into a resource that is more relevant to the community of Westport and better suited […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 3, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Can you imagine the life of Paul Cuffe? Ray Shaw, a Westport resident and graphic artist, uses watercolor sketches to help visualize the past. His graphite and loose watercolor ‘storybook’ style challenges the viewer to use their imagination to interpret a given subject.
Continue ReadingPosted on January 27, 2022 by Jenny ONeill
Read the journal and learn more about Frederick Allen at this link Westport Point, Massachusetts was a relatively small but active whaling port in the 1830s and 1840s, one of about 40 whaling ports in the Northeast. As a result, many young Westporters went “a-whaling”. One such young man was Frederick Allen (1809-1874), whose family […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 17, 2021 by Jenny ONeill
The most famous and fascinating quilt in the Museum of Fine Art’s collection is the Harriet Powers Pictorial Quilt, which for 60 years hung in a house at Westport Point! The Pictorial Quilt is a center piece of the current exhibition at the MFA, Fabric of a Nation, American Quilt Stories. The story of the […]
Continue ReadingPosted 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
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